The Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia defeated Djibouti 6-1 last night to register their first win in Group A of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Bereket Desta and Abubeker Nassir netted hat-tricks to guide Ethiopia to victory in a match played at the Stade Ben M’Hamed El Abdi in El Jadida, Morocco.

The Mekelakeya FC forward put Ethiopia ahead after 19 minutes, and Nasiir added two more goals before the interval.

Six minutes after recess Samuel Akinbinu pulled a goal back for Djibouti after a defensive lapse by the Ethiopians.

But the Ethiopians continued to push forward and run rings around the Djibouti defence as Desta made it 4-1 after 52 minutes, and later Nasiir converted a penalty on 58 minutes. Desta also converted a second penalty for Ethiopia after 70 minutes as the Djibouti defending line continued to makes several blunders.

The win sends Coach Mesay Teferi’s to 4^th place with 6 points. Egypt who are yet to play their sixth match top the Group with 13 points, while Burkina Faso have 11 points. Djibouti are bottom with one point.

Action continues today with six teams from the CECAFA Zone in action. Sudan who hope to maintain their lead in Group B will host South Sudan in Benghazi, Libya, while Rwanda host Lesotho in a Group C match in Kigali.

Two Group G matches will see Somalia play away to Botswana, while Uganda Cranes host Guinea at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole. Burundi will also face Seychelles in a Group F tie.

The Harambee Stars of Kenya have suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Gabon in a Group F match in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Gabon the after 16 minutes at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

The match also watched by the Kenyan President William Ruto ended 1-0 at the interval infavour of Gabon.

After recess Kenya conceded a penalty which Aubameyang converted after 52 minutes.

Ten minutes later Harambee Stars skipper Michael Olunga pulled back a goal for the home side to send fans into celebrations. The home team continued to push forward, but failed to find the final punch. Kenya’s campaign has now taken a big knock following the defeat and 3-3 away draw to The Gambia few days ago

Benni Mccarthy, the Kenyan coach said that his team had missed some good scoring chances. “There were a lot of positives today, but we also need to keep building and improving,” said the Kenyan coach.

The President of Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Hussein Mohammed thanked all Kenyans for coming to support. “A gallant fight from Harambee Stars, but we live to fight another day. Huge thanks to all Kenyans for the incredible support – the 12th man was truly behind the boys today, and it felt special after years of playing away from home,” said the FKF President.

The defeat by Gabon dents Kenya’s hopes in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign. Kenya are 4^th in the Group with 6 points, while Gabon are top with 15 points, and Ivory Coast with 13 points.

Action continues on Monday with Ethiopia facing Djibouti in a Group A match to be played at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium, El-Jadida in Morocco.

Sudan have maintained their lead in Group B of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

The Falcons of Jediane played out to a goalless draw against former African champions Senegal in a match they hosted at the Benina Martyrs Stadium, Benghazi, Libya on Saturday.

The two teams created some decent scoring opportunities, but failed to utilize them.

Sudan handled by James Kwesi Appiah maintained their lead in Group B with 11 points from five matches played, while DR Congo are second with 10 points. Senegal are third on the log with 9 points, while South Sudan are bottom with two points.

Coach Appiah’s team will return to action on March 25^th with a match against South Sudan as they go all out to try and maintain their lead.

Action continues on Sunday with Kenya hosting Gabon in a Group F clash at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

The national football team of Somalia has picked it’s first point in the on-going FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Somalia held Guinea to a goalless draw in a Group G match played at the Alassane Quattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Friday night.

Goalkeeper Abdirahman Mohamud Jama was the man of the match for the Somali team as he made several saves to deny Guinea any goals.

The Somalian national team had suffered four straight defeats since the qualifiers started last year.

Somalia remained in sixth place on the log with 1 points, while Guinea are third with 7 points. Algeria lead the Group with 12 points, and Mozambique are second with same number of points and less goal difference.

In a Group C match played at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, hosts Rwanda suffered a 2-0 defeat to Nigeria. Turkish based striker Victor James Osimhen netted a brace for the Super Eagles. The Amavubi dropped to third place with 7 points, while South Africa who defeated Lesotho 2-0 lead the Group with 10 points.

Djibouti and Burundi also suffered defeats in Group A matches. Djibouti suffered a 4-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in a match played at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium, El Jadida (Morocco), while table leaders Egypt stopped Burundi 2-0.

At the Stade de Martyrs in Kinshasa, DR Congo picked maximum points stopping South Sudan 1-0 in a Group B match. Theo Bongonda netted the lone goal. Burundi also suffered a 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in a Group F match.

Action continues on Saturday with Sudan hosting Senegal I a Group B clash in Benghazi, Libya.