Cape Verde are on the cusp of history after edging past African giants Cameroon 1-0 in Praia to move within touching distance of their first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification.

The Blue Sharks, who have steadily risen in African football over the past decade, stunned the Indomitable Lions thanks to a brilliant solo strike from Dalion Livramento in the second half. The result leaves Cape Verde four points clear at the top of Group D with just two matches remaining, and only one more win needed to punch their ticket to the 2026 finals.

Elsewhere, drama unfolded across the continent:

In Dakar, Senegal showed grit and resilience, coming from two goals down to defeat DR Congo 3-2, with Pape Matar Sarr netting the decisive winner to send the Lions of Teranga top of their group.

Ivory Coast preserved their slender lead in Group F after a tense goalless draw away against Gabon. The Elephants nearly slipped, but Shavy Babicka’s late strike rattled the post to deny the hosts a famous win.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles saw their hopes of automatic qualification fade after settling for a 1-1 draw against Group C leaders South Africa, when only a win would have kept their destiny firmly in their own hands.

Egypt, meanwhile, squandered a chance to seal early qualification in Group A after a frustrating 0-0 draw away in Burkina Faso.

With Morocco and Tunisia already booking their tickets, the race for Africa’s nine automatic World Cup spots intensifies. The four best second-placed teams will still have a lifeline via the play-offs, but for Cape Verde, destiny is now just one win away.