Kessie and Mané lead Ivory Coast and Senegal to the World Cup

The selections of Ivory Coast and Senegal They achieved the last two direct tickets for the United States, Mexico and Canada 2026 World Cup at stake on the African continent, after beating this Tuesday Kenya (3-0) and Mauritania (4-0)respectively.

The Ivorian team, in which the Villarreal striker started Nicolas Pepeput an end to a long wait and will once again compete, twelve years later, in the final phase of a World Cup. It will be the fourth after three consecutive ones in 2006, 2010 and 2014.

An incomprehensible classification without the character of the former Barcelona player Franck Kessie, the undisputed leader of the 'elephants', who was in charge of opening the scoring against Kenya.

Kessié, who currently He plays for Saudi Al Ahlionce again showed his ability to reach the rival area after seven minutes by converting a cross from the right from Amad Diallo.

It was precisely the Manchester United attacker who was in charge of closing the Ivorian victory (3-0) with a goal with six minutes left that certified Ivory Coast's presence in its fourth World Cup final phase. The 2-0 was the work of Yan Diomande (54′).

The Senegal national team will also make its fourth appearance at a World Cup next summer in North America, as it qualified for its third in a row after beating Mauritania 4-0 this Tuesday.

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A triumph in which he played a fundamental role Sadio Manethe great star of the 'lions of Terenga', who put the Senegalese team on track for victory and qualification with a double in the final minutes of the first half and the beginning of the second. Iliman Ndiaye (65') and Habib Diallo (86').

Gabon, DR Congo, Cameroon and Nigeria, to the play-offs

Next to Senegal and Ivory Coast, Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana. Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia They are the nine African teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup directly. Gabon, DR Congo, Cameroon and Nigeria, The four best runners-up of the nine groups will compete in a playoff whose winner will go to the intercontinental playoff.