Audio By Carbonatix
Ivory Coast 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 the Ivory Coast 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.
Ivory Coast 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
-
Upper West Police bust armed robbery syndicate after MoMo attacks; 6 arrested
11 minutes -
BoG sells over $8bn through FX Programme as cedi faces fresh pressure
20 minutes -
Private citizen drags Chief Justice, Attorney General to Supreme Court over legal vacation
31 minutes -
Accra Brewery may shut down operations over revised excise duty
41 minutes -
Why I always play witch, wicked roles in Nollywood movies – Patience Ozokwor
50 minutes -
It is worrying to say that vacation courts do not conduct trials – Young Lawyers Forum President
59 minutes -
Global youth unemployment rises amid sluggish job creation and looming AI risk, UN labour agency says
1 hour -
Dangote refinery spurs West Africa fuel trading hub ambitions
1 hour -
New transmission from animals likely caused Congo-Uganda Ebola outbreak, study says
2 hours -
Legal vacation trials: Chief Justice has power to order specific cases heard – Young Lawyers Forum President
2 hours -
Oil rises as doubts over US-Iran deal heighten supply concerns
2 hours -
Nigeria police say 10 officers, 17 suspected bandits killed in clash in Kebbi state
2 hours -
Vacation courts can handle substantive matters – Young Lawyers Forum challenges GBA position
2 hours -
Oil, gold prices rise as geopolitical tensions mount before CPI
3 hours -
Congo says number of confirmed Ebola cases rises to 4,449
3 hours