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This international truce of September marked a pivotal moment in the \u00a02026 World Cup qualifiers\u00a0 for the Africa zone. With nine direct tickets to the tournament being held in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, two spots have already been claimed by Morocco and Tunisia. Although not yet qualified, Egypt appears to be on a promising trajectory, joined by South Africa, Algeria, Ghana, and the surprising team from \u00a0Cape Verde\u00a0, which is on the verge of achieving a historic qualification. Meanwhile, \u00a0C\u00f4te d’Ivoire\u00a0 managed to maintain its position at the top of the group by holding \u00a0Gabon\u00a0 to a 0-0 draw. In contrast, \u00a0Senegal\u00a0 secured its place by overcoming \u00a0DR Congo\u00a0 in a thrilling match that ended 3-2, effectively taking the lead in its group. However, several prominent teams from the African continent have faltered, facing a daunting path towards qualification.<\/p>\n
<div class=\"adWrapper adWrapper--m\">\n <span>The continuation after this advertisement<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Qualified in 2022 after a legendary playoff against Algeria, \u00a0Cameroon\u00a0 now finds itself in dire straits. In their recent match against Cape Verde, the Indomitable Lions were defeated 1-0, a result that left them needing to regroup urgently. Cape Verde now stands four points ahead and only requires a victory against Libya or Eswatini to finalize their qualification. It\u2019s a remarkable achievement for the Lusophone island nation, while Cameroon's struggles continue. The team has drawn three times against Libya, Angola, and Eswatini. With only two matches left, Cameroon is precariously positioned, currently sixth among second-placed teams and risking missing the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Cameroon in Great Danger<\/h2>\n\n<p>Coach Marc Brys of Cameroon expressed his shock following the defeat against Cape Verde, describing it as the first setback of his tenure: \"<em>They played with great will. They supported each other. Unfortunately, at some point, doubt settled in our team. I don\u2019t know why.<\/em>\" Despite showing improvement in the second half, the Indomitable Lions could not find the goal they needed. Off-field issues have also plagued Cameroon\u2019s campaign. Brys had previously announced a false resignation, and tension between the \u00a0Cameroonian Football Federation\u00a0, led by \u00a0Samuel Eto'o\u00a0, and the government has been palpable since the coach was appointed against Eto'o's wishes.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"adWrapper adWrapper--m\">\n <span>The continuation after this advertisement<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>During his inaugural training session, Brys lamented the lack of basic resources: \"<em>We have no balls, we have no equipment. Do you think the training camp is going well? It doesn\u2019t go well...<\/em>\" Now, Cameroon\u2019s next efforts must be directed towards upcoming clashes against Mauritius and Angola, where they must secure points to have any hope of advancing.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Nigeria on the Edge of the Precipice<\/h2>\n\n<p>In a more precarious situation than Cameroon, \u00a0Nigeria\u00a0 finds itself teetering on the brink of elimination. Despite possessing star players like \u00a0Victor Osimhen\u00a0, the Super Eagles face a grim reality after a lackluster 1-1 draw against South Africa. This result leaves them six points behind their rivals. The Super Eagles are currently third in their group, with \u00a0Benin\u00a0 unexpectedly taking second place, leaving Nigeria with just two victories under their belt. They drew five matches, including more than one against South Africa and even suffered a defeat against Benin.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"adWrapper adWrapper--m\">\n <span>The continuation after this advertisement<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>With only four points separating them from the qualification zone, Nigeria now faces a daunting challenge ahead. The team has seen four different coaches at the helm since January, creating instability. After a disappointing performance in the last \u00a0African Cup of Nations\u00a0, losing in the final to C\u00f4te d'Ivoire, another missed opportunity at the World Cup would compound their woes.<\/p>\n\n<p>Other major teams are also grappling with qualification issues. The \u00a0DR Congo\u00a0, suffering a setback against Senegal, is under significant pressure, trailing just two points behind. Similarly, \u00a0Burkina Faso\u00a0 and \u00a0Guinea\u00a0 have challenging paths ahead, facing uphill battles to maintain their hopes. As the qualifiers head towards the final matches in October, the stakes are higher than ever, and the countdown to the World Cup grows ever more tantalizing.<\/p><\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div>\nAs the drama unfolds, the passion and resilience of African football are on full display, but some historic teams could face an unexpected exit from the global stage. The road to the 2026 World Cup promises to be filled with twists and turns, and all eyes will be on these teams as they strive for glory.<\/p>\n