Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo won respectively against Mauritania (1-0) and Togo (1-0) this Sunday, June 9, during the 4th day of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. These victories over the smallest of margins allows the Lions and Leopards to give themselves some breathing space in Group B while awaiting the result of the last match between Sudan and South Sudan on June 11.
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Facing Mauritania, the red lantern before the start of the 4th day, the Lions could put themselves back in a good position in the ranking of this group B. However, it was the Mourabitounes who were the most agitated during the first 20 minutes against Lions without inspiration in the game. The first alert came from the Mauritanian side with a solo breakthrough from Thiam on the right wing who served Pape Ibnou Ba, unfortunately too short to regain the ball in front of the goal of Édouard Mendy (11th ).
The Senegalese tried to react to a free kick from Gana Gueye, but Abdoulaye Seck’s header lacked precision to worry Niasse (24th). That of Diallo a few minutes later, on the other hand, left the Mauritanian goalkeeper no chance after the impeccable service of Pape Matar Sarr (27th, 0-1). In added time, Koita’s curling shot forced Mendy to deploy to avoid the equalizer (45th+1).
As soon as they returned from the locker room, the Lions thought they would double the lead after a shot from Lamine Camara was deflected by Niasse and then pushed into the back of the net by Ismaïla Sarr, but offside was quickly flagged (47th). The pace then no longer really picked up between the two selections, except for Iliman Ndiaye’s attempt from deep in the last seconds then Pape Matar Sarr’s shot in the process, each repelled by Niasse (90th+6). With this narrow victory, Senegal returns to the top of the group (8 points, +5) while awaiting the result of the match between Sudan and South Sudan on June 11.
Elia delivers the Leopards
In the other meeting of the group which was contested at the same time in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo managed to defeat Togo by the smallest of margins (1-0). The Congolese had to revive after their last two disappointing meetings in these qualifiers, a draw against Senegal (1-1) on June 6 and a setback against Sudan (0-1) on November 19, 2023.
The Leopards opened the scoring thanks to Meschack Elia, found at the far post by a superb pass from Yoane Wissa (6th, 1-0). But Sébastien Desabre’s men then couldn’t find the fault until the end of the match. If they therefore achieve a good operation with this victory and now have 7 points in the standings, tied with Sudan who still have to play their match on the 4th day, they will have to convince more against South Sudan and Mauritania during the 5th day in March 2025.
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