Prolific Liverpool scorer and Egypt captain Mohamed Salah shall be among the many stars in motion this week when 2026 World Cup qualifying in Africa kicks off with two matchdays.
His two Premier League objectives towards Brentford on the weekend raised his whole to 200 in English soccer, and he’s now set to shine towards Group A rivals Djibouti and Sierra Leone.
Salah was the second highest ranked African within the Ballon d’Or final month behind Napoli and Nigeria ahead Victor Osimhen, who misses the primary matchdays resulting from an damage.
Omar Marmoush of Eintracht Frankfurt and Mostafa Mohamed of Nantes are different Egyptians who’ve been scoring commonly in main European leagues this season.
Djibouti, who face Egypt in Cairo on Thursday, are among the many weakest African nationwide groups and have twice suffered eight-goal hidings in World Cup qualifiers.
Sierra Leone shall be handicapped at having to stage a house fixture towards Egypt on Sunday in Liberia as a result of they lack an international-standard stadium.
Egypt have gained the Africa Cup of Nations a file seven instances, however battle in World Cup qualifying, reaching the finals solely thrice, in contrast with eight appearances by Cameroon.
The strongest problem to Salah and his teammates may come from Burkina Faso, ranked tenth in Africa, 5 locations under Egypt. Guinea-Bissau and Ethiopia are the opposite Group A contenders.
Nigeria should do with out Osimhen, one of many favourites to win the CAF Footballer of the Year award subsequent month, and injured AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze towards Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
But Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro has many proficient replacements to select from, together with Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen and Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest.
There are considerations, nonetheless, concerning the Super Eagles’ defence with Cyprus-based goalkeeper Francis Uzoho coming underneath hearth for his performances in two current pleasant matches.
Zimbabwe are again in worldwide soccer after a FIFA ban for presidency interference prevented them competing in 2024 Cup of Nations qualifying.
Biggest threats
They are amongst 17 African international locations who can not play at dwelling both due to sub-standard stadiums or security considerations and can host Nigeria within the Rwandan metropolis of Butare.
South Africa are thought of the largest threats to Nigeria in Group C, however will deal with Benin at dwelling and Rwanda away minus star Lyle Foster.
The Burnley ahead and solely South African within the Premier League has been sidelined by the recurrence of a psychological well being challenge.
Former Premier League supervisor Chris Hughton admits he’s underneath strain as Ghana coach forward of qualifiers at dwelling to Madagascar and away to the Comoros.
“They are two games we must do well in,” he stated amid media requires his dismissal after a four-goal pleasant hiding by the United States final month.
Veteran Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew, who joined Ligue 1 outfit Le Havre final weekend, has been recalled, however an damage guidelines out one other midfielder, Thomas Partey from Arsenal.
Last December in Qatar Morocco turned the primary World Cup semi-finalists from Africa, however they won’t be concerned in matchday one as opponents Eritrea withdrew with out an evidence.
So Saudi Arabia-based goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi and Sevilla ahead Youssef en-Nesyri go into motion for the Atlas Lions solely subsequent Tuesday.
Their belated entry into qualifying shall be away to Tanzania in Group E, which additionally contains resurgent Zambia, Congo Brazzaville and Niger, who’re set to rent Moroccan coach Badou Zaki.
The 9 group winners after 260 qualifiers that stretch to October 2025 qualify for the file 48 nation finals within the United States, Canada and Mexico.
There could possibly be a tenth African qualifier as the most effective 4 runners-up enter a mini-tournament and the winners advance to inter-continental play-offs with two finals locations up for grabs.
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Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
