Group A
Egypt 6-0 Djibouti
Egypt made an emphatic start in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after thrashing Djibouti 5-0 on Thursday evening at Cairo International Stadium.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah put the home side two goals up in the first half with two goals in five minutes.
Salah completed his hat-trick three minutes after the halftime break and added a fourth goal on 69 minutes to cap off a memorable evening.
Mostafa Mohamed grabbed the fifth goal in the 73rd minute, before Trezeguet wrapped up the scoring the Pharaohs with the sixth goal of the day in the 89th minute.
Group C
Nigeria 1-1 Lesotho
Nigeria started their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against Lesotho on Thursday evening.
The visitors took the lead ten minutes after the halftime break courtesy of a strike from Motlome Mkhwanazi.
The Super Eagles did managed to rescue a point after Semi Ajayi nodded home from close range.
Group B
Sudan 1-1 Togo
Sudan and Togo could not be separated after playing to a 1-1 draw at Martyrs of February in Benghazi.
Mohamed Eisa gifted the hosts the lead from the penalty spot on 17 minutes, but Ahoueke Denkey got the equaliser for Togo just before the halftime break.
Group F
Gabon 2-1 Kenya
Gabon rallied from behind to defeat Kenya 2-1 in their opening qualifier on Thursday evening.
Masoud Juma opened the scoring for the visitors five minutes before the halftime break.
Denis Bouanga levelled matters for Gabon on the hour mark, before Guelor Kanga netted the winning goal with ten minutes remaining.
Group G
Algeria 3-1 Somalia
Algeria made a solid start in Group G after defeating Somalia 3-1 on Thursday evening.
The hosts raced into a two-goal lead thanks to an own goal from Ahmed Abdi and Baghdad Bounedjah's 31st minute strike.
Yusuf Ahmed pulled one back for Somalia in the 65th minute, before Islam Slimani wrapped up the points with a goal in the 80th minute.
Botswana 2-3 Mozambique
Mozambique made a winning start in the qualifiers after defeating Botswana 3-2 on Thursday afternoon.
Clesio, Stanley Ratifo and Jonathan Muiomo were on target for the visitors, who also had veteran winger Elias Pelembe in the line-up.
Meanwhile, Molaodi Tlhalefang and former Mamelodi Sundowns and Platinum Stars midfielder Mogakolodi Ngele netted for Botswana.
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