It has been a roller coaster for teams from the CECAFA zone in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with just four games to conclude the qualifying campaign. Rwanda started the journey well but the hopes of qualifying, are fading out after picking just a single point out of a possible six from the recent two games against Nigeria and Lesotho in Kigali. Notwithstanding, there is still hope for Amavubi should Group leaders South Africa drop points through forfeit after fielding Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho while he was on a one-game suspension. For Sudan, they were leading Group B ahead of Senegal until March 25 when neighbors South Sudan broke their hearts with a 98th minute goal from Sebit as the match ended 1-1. Sudan thus slipped to 3rd on the table. Other CECAFA teams like Uganda and Burundi all had a fair chance with at least a win out of their two matches. Weekend Sport takes a look at the 2026 World Cup qualifiers from the CECAFA perspective. Rwanda Amavubi had a great chance to close the gap on Group C leaders South Africa but they squandered it by drawing 1-1 with Lesotho at Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday. For now, though Amavubi is in 2nd place, the qualification seems to be a tall order as they will play three of their four remaining matches away from home. The only thing which could save Amavubi would be improving upon their performance in away games. South Africa are on the verge of losing 3 points and 3 goals through forfeit and that could make the Group open. Current standing South Africa 13 Rwanda 8 Benin 8 Nigeria 7 Lesotho 6 Zimbabwe 4 How Group C standing would look like if South Africa’s forfeit stands South Africa 10 Lesotho 9 Rwanda 8 Benin 8 Nigeria 7 Zimbabwe 4 Rwanda must endeavor to win at least two or three games out of the remaining 4 and avoid any form of defeat if they are to finish at the top or in second place of the group. Both Lesotho and Zimbabwe are all playing their home games in South Africa and that is an added advantage to Bafana Bafana. Next Games for Amavubi September 1: Nigeria vs Rwanda September 8: Zimbabwe vs Rwanda October 6: Rwanda vs Benin October 13: South Africa vs Rwanda Sudan The Falcons of Jediane have been a revelation under Ghanaian coach James Kwesi Appiah and they are currently among the exciting teams on the African continent. Sudan qualified for the AFCON 2025 and they are continuing their impressive form in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Before match day 6, they were on top of Group C but a draw with neighbors South Sudan has pushed them to 12. Group B can be regarded as the “group of death” as the top three teams are separated by 1 points and, hence, they still have a chance of qualifying. DR. Congo are on top with 13 points followed by Senegal with 12 points and a plus of 7 goals while Sudan is 3rd with 12 points and a plus of 6 goals. Standings DR Congo 13 Senegal 12 Sudan 12 Togo 4 South Sudan 3 Mauritania 2 Remaining fixtures for Sudan September 1: Senegal vs Sudan September 8: Togo vs Sudan October 6: Sudan vs Mauritania October 13: DR Congo vs Sudan All the remaining games for Sudan look very tricky but they are manageable since this is a team which has played all their games away from home for two years now. They are used to playing away. Again, they have an experienced coach who has been at the World Cup before with Ghana in 2014 and can pull through again. ALSO READ: Foathoane equalizes late as Lesotho hold Rwanda in Kigali Burundi The Swallows are on 10 points from 6 games in Group F and they have a fair chance of finishing 1st in the Group or grabbing one of the second-placed teams slot for the play-offs. Ivory Coast are top of the group with 16 points, followed by Gabon in second place with 15 points whereas Burundi is third with 10 points. Both Gabon and Burundi have the same goal difference (6). Standings Cote D'Ivoire 16 Gabon 15 Burundi 10 Kenya 6 Gambia 4 Seychelles 0 Next games September 1: Cote d'Ivoire vs Burundi September 8: Gambia vs Burundi October 6: Burundi vs Kenya October 13: Gabon vs Burundi It looks tough for Burundi as three of their four remaining games are away fixtures. The good news, however, is that Gambia doesn't have a stadium so that game will be on neutral ground. Burundi, just like Rwanda, must avoid defeat in the next final four games and get at least two wins to stand a better chance of winning the group or making it in the play-offs. Uganda The Cranes of Uganda trail Group G leaders Algeria by 6 points, second placed Mozambique by 3 points and third-placed Botswana by a margin of one goal as both teams are tied on 9 points. It is not over yet for the Cranes as three wins on their remaining 4 games could put them into contention. Standings Algeria 15 Mozambique 12 Botswana 9 Uganda 9 Guinea 7 Somalia 1 Remaining fixtures September 1: Uganda vs Mozambique September 8: Uganda vs Somalia October 6: Botswana vs Uganda October 13: Algeria vs Uganda While last game against Group leaders Algeria in October promises be tough, Uganda must collect at least 9 more points in the remaining three games. Paul Put should beat Mozambique and Somalia in Kampala as well as Botswana in Gaborone to achieve the milestone and it’s quite possible on paper.
