Motlomelo Mkwanazi gave Lesotho, ranked 153rd in the world – 113 places below Nigeria – a shock lead with a 56th-minute goal from a corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
West Brom centre-back Semi Ajayi powerfully headed in Kelechi Iheanacho’s corner to level 11 minutes later but the Super Eagles could not find a winner in their Group C opener in a rainy Uyo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jose Peseiro’s side had dominated the first half but paid for their profligacy as Iheanacho saw a free-kick saved, Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi failed to capitalise on a promising cut-back and Ademola Lookman had a low shot across goal turned away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Liverpool forward Salah starred as Egypt thrashed Djibouti 6-0 in Cairo while elsewhere there were wins for Algeria, Mozambique, Burundi and Gabon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Africa has a guaranteed nine qualifiers for the 2026 finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States, with all group winners booking a spot at the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Egyptian king makes his mark<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In a Group A match totally dominated by the hosts, Salah’s first for Egypt<\/strong> came in the 17th minute after Mostafa Mohamed whipped in a cross from the left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Five minutes later, Salah made it 2-0 from the penalty spot and he completed his hat-trick shortly after the break, pouncing on a ball from Ahmed El Fatouh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With 20 minutes to go Salah bagged his fourth, with El Fatouh again the provider, and Mohamed added a fifth four minutes later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trezeguet completed the rout for the Pharaohs with a strike in the 89th minute inside the Cairo International Stadium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Group G, Algeria<\/strong> beat Somalia<\/strong> 3-1 at home after Mozambique <\/strong>won 3-2 away against Botswana<\/strong> earlier on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A first-minute own goal set Algeria on their way in Baraki before Baghdad Bounedjah doubled the lead on the half-hour mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Issa Abatari pulled one back for Somalia with 25 minutes left but Islam Slimani made sure of the points for the North Africans in the 80th minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabon<\/strong> came from behind to beat Kenya<\/strong> 2-1 in Group F thanks to an 88th-minute winner, with Burundi<\/strong> sealing a 3-2 ‘home’ win over The Gambia<\/strong> in a Group F match played in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And Sudan<\/strong> drew 1-1 against Togo <\/strong>in Benina, Libya, in Group B, which contains continental champions Senegal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MK Dons forward Mo Eisa opened the scoring for the ‘hosts’ with a 17th-minute penalty before Kevin Denkey equalised for Togo just before the break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, Ethiopia <\/strong>have filed a complaint with world governing body Fifa after their Group A opener against Sierra Leone<\/strong> on Wednesday evening was disrupted by dense fog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The game was played in the Moroccan coastal city of El Jadida because Ethiopia do not have an international-standard venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The half-time break was extended and the referee stopped the game twice in the second half, with the match ending 0-0 after 15 minutes of stoppage time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The qualifier “should have been postponed” a statement from the Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF) said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ethiopia are set to host Burkina Faso back at the Stade El Abdi on Tuesday evening, and the EFF have asked Fifa to bring forward the kick-off from 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT) to avoid a repeat of foggy conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fifa has been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Courtesy BBC Sport Africa<\/p>\nEthiopia complain about fog in Morocco<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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