Cape Verde took the lead in Group D of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup this Thursday, beating Mauritius 1-0 at home, with a goal scored by Yannick Semedo, who plays for FC Vizela in Portugal.

The game, played at the National Stadium in Praia, was divided in midfield, with only one real goal-scoring opportunity, in the 84th minute, scored by Yannick Semedo, midfielder for the Portuguese club FC Vizela who made his debut scoring for his national team, following a pass from Ryan Mendes, a player for Kocaelispor in Turkey.

“It’s a very beautiful moment in my career.”

“It's something I won't forget, above all because I managed to help the team get the three points.”

“There is one more important game and we will work until then”, said Yannick Semedo, after the game.

Cape Verde now leads the group with 10 points, one more than Cameroon, which drew 0-0 with Eswatini on Wednesday. Libya (seven points) and Angola (six), who face each other later this Thursday, are also in the running for qualification.

The 54 African countries, according to the new regulations, were divided into nine groups of six teams and the winners of each group automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The four best second-placed teams will compete in a tournament that will decide the team that will represent Africa in an intercontinental play-off that could increase the number of African countries in the tournament to be held in Canada, the United States and Mexico in 10 to 2026.