African Heavyweights Prepare for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with Draw Results
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns loom on the horizon, African giants Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa engaged in friendly matches to fine-tune their preparations. The results were mixed, with the teams settling for draws as they tested their mettle against international opponents.
In a showdown in Moscow, Nigeria clashed with Russia and ended the game in a 1-1 deadlock. The Super Eagles found themselves trailing after a defensive mishap led to Russia taking the lead. However, a spirited performance saw Nigeria equalize thanks to a goal from Tolu Arokodare, marking his debut goal for the national team.
Meanwhile, Senegal faced off against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin and also concluded their match with a 1-1 draw. The Irish took the lead with a goal from Kasey McAteer, but Senegal fought back with an equalizer courtesy of Ismaila Sarr. The result sets the stage for Senegal’s upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign against DR Congo.
On home soil, South Africa had to settle for a goalless draw against Tanzania in Polokwane. Despite dominating possession, Bafana Bafana couldn’t break down Tanzania’s resilient defense. The match highlighted the need for South Africa to sharpen their attacking prowess ahead of the crucial qualifiers.
Unfortunately, Zambia’s friendly against Sudan in Morocco was canceled due to financial issues. The Zambian squad refused to play due to unpaid allowances, shedding light on the financial challenges facing the country’s football association. Newly appointed president Keith Mweemba inherited a significant debt burden that needs to be addressed.
With the next phase of African qualifiers fast approaching, these warm-up fixtures provided valuable insights for the teams. The matches allowed coaches to assess squad depth, tactics, and strategies before the intense qualifying battles begin in September.
