African heavyweights gear up for 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Several African heavyweights will be gearing up for the looming start of qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup when they participate in high-profile international friendlies spanning from Thursday 12 to Wednesday 18 October.
First up is Egypt, who will face Zambia at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in the UAE on Thursday evening. Pharaohs coach Rui Vitoria is using this match against Chipolopolo, and one against arch-rivals Algeria on Monday, to fine tune ahead of the World Cup qualifiers and Africa Cup of Nations in early 2024.
“I may not seem like it, but all my life I have been an emotional person, and sometimes relationships with other people make me either satisfied or sad," said the Portuguese coach.
"My conviction is that I came to Egypt to take on this challenge. I may win or I may lose, but I had the feeling and desire to take on the challenge.”
Thursday also sees Russia host Cameroon, as well as Algeria tackling Cape Verde, while Friday features Tunisia playing in Seoul against South Korea, South Africa hosting Eswatini in Johannesburg and Saudi Arabia facing Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the Municipal Stadium in Portimao, Portugal.
Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro showed his commitment by accepting a pay cut on his new contract with the federation, insisting that “me and my staff did everything in order to stay here to train these players and reach the big goal, win the AFCON title.”
Saturday and Sunday are headlined by Ivory Coast hosting Morocco in Abidjan, while Ghana will face Mexico in Charlotte in the United States – with Black Stars coach Chris Hughton dropping Andre Ayew and then dealing with an injury crisis which saw Tariq Lamptey, Daniel Amartey, Alexander Djiku, and Osman Bukari all forced to withdraw. Ghana will
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