Victor Osimhen inspired Nigeria to their first win in qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup while Algeria and South Africa moved to the top of their groups.
The Galatasaray forward netted both goals in Nigeria’s 2-0 victory away against Rwanda in Group C, and the Super Eagles are now four points behind South Africa halfway through the campaign.
Bafana Bafana moved to the summit after overcoming a stubborn Lesotho side 2-0 thanks to second-half strikes from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams.
Elsewhere, DR Congo moved level on points with surprise Group B leaders Sudan as Theo Bongonda’s powerful effort secured a 1-0 win over South Sudan after a disjointed display in Kinshasa.
Only the nine group winners are assured of a place at the expanded 48-team World Cup finals next year.
Meanwhile, Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea registered comfortable wins, with Emilio Nsue scoring for the latter on his return to action following a row over his eligibility.
There are five more qualifiers on Friday, with Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Morocco all in action.
