Cape Verde on brink of historic World Cup qualification, Cameroon keep hopes alive

Ahram Online , Wednesday 8 Oct 2025

Cape Verde are on the verge of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation's history after a dramatic 3-3 draw with Libya in Benghazi on Wednesday.

CAP
Photo courtesy of CAF.

 

The Blue Sharks came from 3-1 down, scoring twice in the final 15 minutes to secure a crucial point that could prove decisive in their bid to reach the 2026 finals.

With one match remaining in the African qualifiers, Cape Verde top their group (D) with 20 points, two ahead of second-placed Cameroon, who kept their hopes alive with a 2-0 away win over Mauritius.

Cape Verde will conclude their campaign at home on Monday against bottom-placed Eswatini.

A win will secure an unprecedented World Cup berth for the island nation, which became a FIFA member in 1986.

Group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the four best runners-up across the nine groups will advance to a playoff, with one team progressing to the inter-confederation playoffs.

Cameroon, who have appeared at the World Cup eight times, remain in contention to at least finish as one of the best runners-up.

The Indomitable Lions host Angola in their final group match on Monday.

Angola were held to a 2-2 draw by Eswatini earlier on Wednesday.

In Group A, Ethiopia edged Guinea-Bissau 1-0 in Addis Ababa, with Rakmel James scoring the winner in the 27th minute.

Both sides are out of contention, sitting fourth and fifth in the group, respectively.

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