Cape Verde made impressive strides in their journey toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but they fell short of securing their first-ever berth. In a crucial match, they fought hard for a victory but ultimately settled for a draw against Libya.
Cape Verde’s Near Victory
During the seven minutes of stoppage time, Cape Verde had a series of noteworthy chances. Semedo attempted a shot that was cleared off the line by Libya’s Muhanad Eito. A minute later, Nuno Da Costa was thwarted by Al Wuheesi’s quick reflexes, despite the opportunity to pass to Semedo for an easy goal.
Controversial Offside Call
In a dramatic turn of events in the 96th minute, Cape Verde launched a four-on-one counterattack, which was abruptly halted by an apparent offside call. The decision sparked an outcry from the Cape Verde bench and players, as the lack of video assistant referee (VAR) in African qualifiers rendered their protests ineffective.
Impact on Group Standings
This draw significantly impacted the group dynamics. Libya’s hopes of finishing second and qualifying through playoffs diminished due to their inferior goal difference. Meanwhile, Cameroon benefited from a 2-0 victory over Mauritius, keeping their qualification hopes alive.
- Cape Verde: 20 points (1st place Group D)
- Cameroon: 18 points (2nd place Group D, superior goal difference)
The group winners will secure a spot in the World Cup, while the second-place team could advance to the African playoffs, leading to a potential intercontinental qualifier.
Upcoming Matches
The final round of group games is set to take place soon. Cape Verde will host Eswatini, while Cameroon will face Angola. Both matches kick off at 16:00 GMT on Monday.
Cape Verde’s quest for their first World Cup appearance continues to captivate fans, but they will need to secure a dominant performance in their upcoming match to solidify their position at the top of Group D.
