Eswatini and Mauritius put on an entertaining show for fans in a 3-all draw in Mbombela as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Sihlangu se mnikati went ahead spectacularly in Mbombela. Kwakhe Thwala, from just outside his own area, played a quarter-back pass over the top of the Mauritius defence.
Philane Mkhontfo took a couple of touches and, with the ball bouncing, hooked an unstoppable volley into the back of the net, leaving goalkeeper Dorian Chiotti rooted to the spot.
Matchday 6 Day 1 action wrapped up! 🎬
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Today’s results.👇#WCQ pic.twitter.com/acubtEAVdN
The advantage was rapidly amplified. Banele Sikhondze dinked the ball over the top and Mkhontfo somehow got to it before Lindsay Rose and lobbed Chiotti. Mauritius were incredibly on level terms within five minutes of the restart.
Fifty-five seconds into the half, after Eswatini failed to clear a free-kick into their box, Rose lashed it into the net.
Then, Jeremie Villeneuve faked letting the ball out for a corner and caught the hosts off guard with a cross, which substitute Yannick Aristide turned in.
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Mayibongwe Mabuza’s scrappy goal looked to have nicked victory for Mauritius, only for Emmanuel Vincent to curl home a last-gasp free-kick and ensure a pulsating contest ended in parity.
In another match, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s double grabbed Gabon a 2-1 win in Kenya. Aubameyang edged an engrossing shootout with Michael Olunga as Gabon beat Kenya 2-1 in Nairobi.
The result lifted Thierry Mouyouma’s Panthers top of Group F in CAF qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 26™, two points clear of Côte d’Ivoire, who host Gambia on Monday.
The hopes of Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars, who are fourth on six points, are hanging by a thread. The home fans created a carnival atmosphere, but it was soon soured. Guelor Kanga played a fine pass into Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who controlled it impeccably and, despite Ian Otieno getting a hand on it, found the bottom corner.
The remainder of the half was all about Kenya’s star striker. Michael Olunga had a goal ruled out for offside, hit the post with a superb drive, and headed wide from point-blank range.
Aubameyang made it 2-0 from the spot shortly after the interval, sending the Kenya goalkeeper the wrong way after his snapshot had been handballed.
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It extended the former Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal and Barcelona forward’s record for Gabon goals to 35 in 81 appearances. Olunga then halved the appearance.
Timothy Ouma played a one-two down the left and cut a devilish ball across the box. Olunga did well to get in front of his marker and divert it home. The Harambee Stars pushed for an equaliser but came unstuck.
How qualifying works
The nine group winners will qualify automatically for the FIFA World Cup 26™. The four best runners-up will then compete for one place at the FIFA Play-Off Tournament. (FIFA)
