After two near misses, Cape Verde finally realised the dream of playing at the World Cup after white-washing Eswatini 3-0 on Monday.
Their victory and qualification means favourites to qualify,Indomitable Lions of Cameroon faces missing out of the mundial party,except they qualify via the play offs.
The tiny island of about 600,000 people overcame highly favoured Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in their group to qualify for their first ever World Cup finals on Monday after finishing top of their African zone group D.
They topped the Group with 23 points from 7 wins, 2 draws and a defeat in the hands of second placed Cameroon who ended the campaign with 19 points.
The West African archipelago, , is the second smallest country in the tournament’s history to qualify.
Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco and Tunisia are the other African countries that have their train to the World Cup finals next year.
Reigning African champions Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal are certain to pick their tickets on Tuesday when they play their last group games.
Côte d’Ivoire are home to Kenya in Group F while Senegal host neighbours Mauritania in Group B, a point each, will see them through.
The big drama on the final day is in Group C with Benin Republic, Nigeria and South Africa still in the race to reach the World Cup finals.
A win for South Africa and a defeat for Benin will see the rainbow nation in the World Cup finals next year.
However, the Super Eagles of Nigeria can advance into the finals with a 2-0 win over Benin Republic and South Africa drops points but a draw for Benin in Uyo and South Africa fails to win means the Cheetahs will be in the Americas for the World Cup.
Benin Republic can also reach the World Cup finals with a win over Nigeria irrespective of the result of the game between South Africa and Rwanda.
These are the top 3 of Group C after nine matches:
Benin Rep. 17 pts and plus 5 goals
South Africa 15 pts and plus 3 goals
Nigeria 14 pts and plus 3 goals