Audio By Carbonatix
Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal claimed Africa's final two automatic qualifying spots for the 2026 Fifa World Cup as both sides registered victories on Tuesday.
Senegal claimed a 4-0 home win over Mauritania to secure first place in Group B.
A Sadio Mane free-kick put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half-time and the former Liverpool forward slotted in his second before Iliman Ndiaye added a fine solo effort and Habib Diallo rounded off the scoring late on.
The Teranga Lions finished the campaign two points ahead of DR Congo, who beat Sudan 1-0 thanks to Theo Bongonda's first-half strike.
Elsewhere, Franck Kessie gave Cote d'Ivoire an early lead against Kenya in Group F and teenager Yan Diomande fired in to double the lead after the break.
Manchester United's Amad curled in a fine free-kick to give the Elephants a 3-0 victory in Abidjan.
That result meant the reigning continental champions finished a point ahead of Gabon, who saw off Burundi 2-0 in Franceville after late goals from Bryan Meyo and Mario Lemina.
The Ivorians, who return to the World Cup finals for the first time since 2014, went through the entire 10-game group campaign without conceding a goal, one of two nations on the continent to do so alongside Tunisia.
Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal join Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde and South Africa in booking their ticket to next year's World Cup finals.
One more side - the winners of next month's continental play-offs - could join that group if they emerge from an inter-confederation tournament in March next year.
Cameroon, DR Congo, Gabon and Nigeria finished as the four best-ranked second-placed sides across the nine groups and one of those sides will have the chance to become Africa's 10th representative at the expanded 48-team World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The Confederation of African Football is yet to announce a date for the play-off draw.
Latest Stories
-
Government procures over 2,000 transformers as Ghana’s electricity access hits 89.13% – Energy Minister
24 minutes -
UTAG-UG threatens strike on October 19 over unpaid allowance
33 minutes -
Let The Constitution direct Chieftaincy to deliver “All Development Is Local”
2 hours -
John Jinapor outlines renewable energy, nuclear power priorities for 2027
2 hours -
Ghana explores centre of excellence for hearing, communication and cochlear implant care
3 hours -
Schizophrenia-related disorders lead mental health cases recorded in Ghana
3 hours -
Dutch authorities enlist Ghana in hunt for fugitive drug lord Bolle Jos
4 hours -
Ghana housing finance conference adopts communiqué to improve affordable housing access
8 hours -
Special Initiatives Minister urges Wa Technical Institute to enrol more girls as EU-backed solar training lab opens
9 hours -
In the matter of my first year at the Bar
9 hours -
ActionAid Ghana calls for an end to child marriage, greater investment in girls’ rights
9 hours -
Newsfile to tackle World Cup visa scandal, beach demolitions, education strikes, BRICS bid
9 hours -
UK-Ghana Trade & Investment Summit: Trade Resource Centre to help businesses maximise UK-Ghana trade opportunities
10 hours -
Embassy of Denmark celebrates World Maritime Day
10 hours -
Linking LEAP to productive inclusion could cut extreme poverty by 2030 – UNICEF
11 hours