Slowly but surely, the Elephants pave their way towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Even though the fans might have expected two more convincing triumphs over Burundi on the road and the Gambia at home, they must be satisfied with two minimal victories, especially since they moved Ivory Coast to the top of the table in Group F.Three days ago, Evann Guessand was the decisive factor in the Elephants’ win against Burundi, while Sebastian Haller sealed the deal against former Gor Mahia boss Johnathan McKinstry and his Scorpions (1-0), as Emerse Fae’s men have yet to concede in the qualifiers, keeping six clean sheets since their beginning!Sébastien Haller secures all three points for Ivory Coast 🇨🇮🔥 pic.twitter.com/WQ4FXIV1PO— OneFootball (@OneFootball) March 24, 2025 Expectedly, the Ivorians were in control from the first referee’s whistle, as former Arsenal and current Villarreal winger Nicolas Pepe ran riots over the right flank with the assistance from – tonight pretty offensive right-back – Monaco’s Wilfried Singo.Spurs and Stuttgart aces failed in a big upset by the Wild BeastsPepe created one excellent chance for Simon Adingra after only 50 seconds, but Brighton player’s header went wide. Still, a quarter of an hour into the game, Ivory Coast broke the deadlock. This time, Pepe’s cross went through the box to Adingra, who crossed it inside, finding Sebastian Haller, who ruthlessly sent a header in for 1-0.⚽️ GOAL: Sébastien Haller🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 Gambia 🇬🇲pic.twitter.com/ekSvTcts62— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 24, 2025 Adingra had another massive chance in the 32nd minute, but the Gambian keeper, Ebrima Jarju, stopped him one-on-one.Conversely, former Gor Mahia boss Johnathan McKinstry’s team threatened rarely, mainly from counterattacks and almost every time over another Seagulls’ player, Yankuba Minteh, who couldn’t change Gambia’s fortunes by himself.Although Pepe was by far the best Ivorian player in the first half, the Elephants boss, Emerse Fae opted to leave him in the locker room at the break and replace him with Evann Guessand, who scored a winner against Burundi three days ago.North America will see Wood and Co: All Whites qualify for the World CupRegardless, Fae’s men continued pressing the rivals, as Mohammed Diomande hit the bar with a close-range header in the first minutes of the second half. Still, the Gambia responded shortly. Minteh once again created a chance, this time for Alieu Fadera, who shot poorly wide off the post, although he was all alone in Ivory Coast box.McKinstry’s men refused to give up – being only 1-0 down – and threatened after another hasty fastbreak led by Minteh. Yet, the Elephants’ goalie Yahia Fofana brilliantly stopped Mahmudu Bajo’s effort from inside the area. In the 83rd minute, a deja vu happened as Fofana emerged victorious once again, this time against Alassana Jatta, who wasted a massive chance.##NAJAVA_MECA_8803388##In the end, despite their immense pressure in the final part of the game and Minteh’s outstanding performance, the Scorpions failed to avoid defeat and remain penultimate in Group F. At the same time, Ivory Coast dethroned Gabon from the leading position, keeping the sixth clean sheet in as many games in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.2026 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS – AFRICARound 5Saturday Togo – Mauritania 2-2 (1-0)/Klidje 4, Denkey 69 – Koita 52, Mahmoud 55/Sudan – Senegal 0-0Sunday Eswatini – Mauritius 3-3 (2-0)/Mkhontfo 13, 18, Mabuza 75 – Rose 47, Aristide 50, Vincent 90+1/Kenya – Gabon 1-2 (0-1)/Olunga 62 – Aubameyang 16, 52 pen/Monday Namibia – Equatorial Guinea 1-1 (0-0)/Shalulile 51 – Coco 54/Central African Republic – Mali 0-0Guinea B. – Burkina Faso 1-2 (1-1)/Banjaqui 36 – Traore L. 6, 73/Liberia – Sao Tome 2-1 (2-1)/Andrews 4, Farkarlun 32 – Do Sacramento 44/Ivory Coast – Gambia 1-0 (1-0)/Haller 15/Madagascar – Ghana 0-3 (0-1)/Partey 11, 54, Kudus 59/Ethiopia – Djibouti 0-0 IN PROGRESSTunisia – Malawi 0-0 IN PROGRESS
