Following Tanzania’s 1-0 victory over Niger on Saturday, the Zambian men’s national team has retained the top spot in Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Taifa Stars collected maximum points in Morocco courtesy of a hard-fought 1-0 win against Niger.
Tanzania broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Australia-based midfielder Charles M’mombwa fired past Mahamadou Djibo with a powerful drive from an acute angle.
M’mombwa’s effort proved enough to get Tanzania the three points that see them sit second in Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
They remain behind the Chipolopolo, who boast a superior goal difference (+2) to that of the Taifa Stars (+1). Friday evening saw Zambia get the better of Congo Brazzaville with a thumping 4-2 victory on home soil.
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Meanwhile, Morocco will not be participating in Matchday 1 World Cup qualifiers as their opponents, Eritrea, withdrew from the competition.
The East Africans were set to battle it out with Morocco on November 16 at the Adrar Stadium in Morocco.
Hence, after the opening games of Group E of the qualifiers, Zambia remains at the summit with three points, followed by Tanzania. And with Morocco yet to play, Niger and Congo sit at the bottom of the group.
Tanzania now moves on to the daunting task of hosting Morocco on Tuesday in Matchday 2 of Group E.
The Atlas Lions will want to get their campaign off to a perfect start so they can replicate a FIFA World Cup finals performance as good as that they had in Qatar.
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The Chipolopolo’s next assignment is a clash against just-defeated Niger in Morocco on Tuesday.
A win for the 2012 AFCON winners will see them remain in the driving seat of the group.
