Captain Mohamed Salah scored for Egypt as they eased to a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia in their 2026 World Cup qualifier on Friday, but 2022 semifinalists Morocco needed a late winner from Bilal El Khannouss to defeat unfancied Niger.

Zizo bagged Egypt’s second goal as they opened up a commanding five point lead in Group A at the halfway point of the qualification campaign.

Burkina Faso earlier defeated Djibouti 4-1 to move into second in the pool.

The top team in each of the nine groups earns a place at the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada, while the four best runners-up enter an arduous inter-continental playoff campaign for one further berth.

Morocco had the luxury of playing their ‘away’ clash with Niger at home in Oujda with their opponents having no suitable stadiums to host international matches.

But they needed an equaliser on the hour-mark from Ismael Saibari, and then a winner two minutes into stoppage time from El Khannouss to claim victory and lead Group E by six points from second-placed Niger.

Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams both scored their first international goals as South Africa were made to toil for a 2-0 home win over neighbours Lesotho as they went top of Group C.

South Africa travel to neutral Abidjan to play second-placed Benin on Tuesday where coach Hugo Broos’ side could potentially open up a sizeable lead in the pool.

Nigeria claimed a first win of the qualification campaign at the fifth attempt with a 2-0 success over Rwanda in Kigali. Victor Osimhen scored a brace to take Nigeria to six points, four behind South Africa.

Ghana, who failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco later this year, moved top of their qualification pool with a 5-0 hammering of Chad in Accra.

Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Salisu and Ernest Nuamah all scored for the home side, who lead Madagascar in Group I by two points.

ELEPHANTS GO TOP

Ivory Coast took over at the top of their pool as they claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Burundi in a game played in Morocco.

Evann Guessand scored his first goal for the Ivorians to settle the contest.

Mohamed Amoura netted a brace as Algeria won 3-1 in Botswana to move top of Group G on goal difference from Mozambique. Amine Gouiri scored the opener for the visitors.

Guinea were held to a goalless draw by minnows Somalia in neutral Abidjan in a blow to their chances.

The Democratic Republic of Congo edged South Sudan thanks to Theo Bongonda’s first half winner as they moved into second in Group B behind leaders Sudan, who play Senegal on Saturday.

Emilio Nsue scored on his return to the Equatorial Guinea side in their 2-0 win over minnows Sao Tome and Principe.

Nsue served a six-month ban imposed by FIFA after previously being ruled ineligible to represent the central African nation, despite being their all-time leading scorer.