Amoura Hits Brace As Algeria Seal 2026 World Cup Spot

Algeria have become the fourth African nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following a commanding 3-0 victory over Somalia on Thursday in Oran.

Goals from Mohamed Amoura and captain Riyad Mahrez ensured the Desert Foxes joined Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt as confirmed African representatives at next year’s global showpiece in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Algeria took control early when Amoura, who plays for Wolfsburg in Germany, volleyed home a Mahrez cross in the sixth minute.

Mahrez, the former Manchester City star, doubled the lead midway through the first half, smashing a loose ball into the net.

The skipper turned provider again after the restart, threading a precise pass to Amoura, who made it 3-0 in the 57th minute to complete his brace.

Convinced qualification was sealed, head coach Vladimir Petkovic substituted both players shortly after.

“We wanted to finish strongly and qualify in style,” Petkovic said after the match. “The boys have shown the discipline and hunger that defines this team.”

Much of the pre-match attention focused on Luca Zidane, son of French legend Zinedine Zidane, who recently switched his international allegiance to Algeria.

The 26-year-old goalkeeper, who plays for Granada in Spain’s Segunda División, was born in France and represented the country at youth level but is eligible for Algeria through his paternal grandparents.

Zidane was named on the bench, as Alexis Guendouz of Mouloudia Alger retained the starting spot in goal.

The result in Oran leaves Algeria top of Group G with 22 points, four clear of Uganda with one round of fixtures remaining. Mozambique, Guinea, Botswana, and Somalia trail behind.

Algeria will now prepare for their fifth World Cup appearance after featuring in 1982, 1986, 2010, and 2014, when they reached the round of 16 before losing 2-1 to eventual champions Germany in Brazil.

Meanwhile, in Bujumbura, Kenya claimed a 1-0 victory over Burundi in a heated East African derby, thanks to a 73rd-minute strike from Ryan Ogam.

The hosts were reduced to ten men just six minutes into the game after Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on goalkeeper Brian Okoth, who was forced off injured and replaced by Bryne Odhiambo.

The dismissal set the tone for a fiery contest, with tempers flaring again when Kenya’s Manzur Suleiman escaped with only a yellow card for a studs-up tackle.

Despite their advantage, Kenya struggled to create chances until first-half stoppage time when Jonathan Nahimana pulled off a brilliant one-handed save to deny a long-range effort.

Their persistence eventually paid off as Ogam broke the deadlock, lifting the Harambee Stars to third in Group F, eight points behind leaders Ivory Coast.

The Ivorians, reigning African champions, top the group narrowly ahead of Gabon, with both sides set for their penultimate fixtures on Friday.

Ivory Coast face Seychelles in Mauritius; their opponents lack a FIFA-approved stadium, while Gabon travel to Nairobi to face Gambia, another team without an international-standard venue.

Ivory Coast will seal qualification for their fourth World Cup, and first since 2014, if they win and Gabon drops points.

Tight Race In Group C

Attention will also turn to Group C, where five teams, Benin, South Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Lesotho, remain mathematically in contention for the top spot.

Benin currently lead on goal difference ahead of South Africa, both on equal points. Nigeria and Rwanda trail by three points, while Lesotho sit five points adrift.

In a twist earlier this year, Lesotho’s 2–0 loss to South Africa in March was overturned by FIFA and awarded as a 3-0 victory, after Bafana Bafana fielded ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena.

Source: Naijanews