- Comoros beat Ghana 1-0
- Rwanda beat South Africa 2-0 at home
- Uganda won 1-0 away to Somalia
Comoros and Rwanda picked up some of the biggest wins of the second round of qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the islanders stunning Ghana 1-0 in Moroni, while Rwanda beat South Africa 2-0 in Huye.
In Moroni, Comoros, who also eliminated Ghana from the last Africa Cup of Nations, showed it was no fluke with another well worked result.
The islanders had beaten the Central African Republic (CAR) 4-2 in the first match last week, and the victory against Ghana takes them top of Group I with six points.
Ghana, who beat Madagascar 1-0 in their first match in Kumasi last weekend had hoped for another victory, but they couldn’t do it against a more organized and determined Comoros.
Under new coach Stefano Cusin, the islanders have continued to remain on the rise.
Myziane Maolida scored the lone goal in the 43rd minute, after dribbling his way into the box from almost 30 yards out, the piece of individual brilliance being the difference in the game.
Prior to that, Ghana had some chances, with Jordan Ayew seeing his freekick go over, while his elder brother Andre also had some opportunities but couldn’t finish.
Meanwhile, Mali moved second in the group with four points after playing to a 1-1 draw with the Central Africa Republic.
Kamory Doumbia scored the equalizer for the Malians in the 76th minute.
Rwanda stuns South Africa
Rwanda celebrate their win over South Africa
At the Stade Huye in Rwanda, the hosts moved top of Group C with victory over Bafana Bafana. Innocent Nshuti and Gilbert Mugisha found the back of the net for Amavubi to hand them victory.
They moved to four points in the group, having started off their campaign with a draw at home against Zimbabwe.
South Africa had kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 win against Benin.
Coming to Rwanda though, the Amavubi were keen to make the most of their home ground advantage.
They got into the lead after 12 minutes, when Nshuti struck on the half volley from the edge of the box after being put through by Lague Byiringiro.
The goal propelled their confidence and they continued dominating. They doubled their tally in the 28th minute when Mugisha muscled his way into the box from the left, before slotting the ball home from a tight angle.
South Africa’s bid to bounce back was futile as the Rwandese ensured they maintained the result.
Uganda edge out Somalia in Berkane
Uganda’s Rodgers Mato celebrates his goal against Somalia
Elsewhere in Berkane, Uganda Cranes secured the first win of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers after beating 10-man Somalia 1-0 in a match played at the Stade Du Municipal.
Rodgers Mato’s early goal was the difference in the game, Uganda bouncing back from their opening day 2-1 defeat to Guinea.
Somalia have suffered back to back defeats, having been beaten 3-1 away to Algeria in their first match.
Against Uganda, Somalia had to play the entire second half with 10 men after Abdi Mohammed was sent off at the stroke of halftime for a second bookable offense.
Uganda had gone ahead early in the fourth minute.
Teenage midfielder Allan Oyirwoth who was handed his debut for the Senior National Team starting in midfield had the assist for Mato’s goal, setting up Mato with a sleek pass before the latter slammed home into an empty net.
Uganda kept surging forward and Oyirwoth nearly got a goal but his effort sailed wide. Mato should have gotten his second on the day in the 38th minute but he lost the ball in attempt of rounding off the goalkeeper.
In the second half coach Put made changes to spice up the attack, but they couldn’t find the second goal.
The Cranes will return to action in June next year with two home games against Botswana and Algeria.
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