Morocco has become the first African nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This follows a dominant 5-0 victory over Niger in Rabat.

The Atlas Lions clinched top spot in Group E with ease, as Ismaeil Saibari struck twice in the first half before Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi added second-half goals against 10-man Niger, who had Abdul-Latif Goumey sent off.

With the win, Morocco joins 16 other nations already confirmed for the expanded 48-team tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

• Super Eagles coach, Stanley Nwabali

Rwanda’s delegation to Saturday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Nigeria will arrive in Lagos on Tuesday afternoon.

This is even as injured Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has assured top officials of both the NFF and the National Sports Commission (NSC) that he will be fully fit for Saturday’s 2026 World Cup showdown against Rwanda in Uyo.

Saturday’s showdown at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium comes five months and two weeks after the Super Eagles defeated the Amavubi 2-0 in the latter’s home ground in Kigali in a Matchday 5 encounter.

Nigeria Football Federation’s Director of Communication, Dr Ademola Olajire, disclosed that a one-man Rwanda advance party will be in Lagos today but the full delegation will make landfall in the commercial capital on Tuesday aboard a Rwandair Airline flight at 1.15pm, and will proceed to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State by 4pm of the same day.

Last week, Super Eagles No 1 goalkeeper Nwabali was stretchered off after he was injured while playing for his South African club Chippa United.

“He (Nwabali) has assured us he will be fit for the World Cup qualifiers against both Rwanda and South Africa,” a source told SCORENigeria.

“He spoke to NFF President (Ibrahim Gusau) and some other top officials in this regard,” the top football source said yesterday

•Jose Mourinho

Fenerbahce on Friday sacked Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, two days after elimination from the Champions League playoffs by Benfica, the Turkish club said in a statement.

“We have parted ways with Jose Mourinho, who served as head coach of our professional A team since the 2024-2025 season.

We thank him for his efforts for our team and wish him success in his future career,” it said.

The former Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Roma coach who arrived at the Istanbul club in June 2024, led Istanbul’s Yellow Canaries to second place in the league last season behind Galatasaray, failing to end their title drought.