Niger stun Zambia in Ndola as Daniel Sosah keeps 2026 World Cup dream alive
Niger kept their qualifying hopes flickering with a disciplined 1-0 win away to Zambia on Sunday, as in-form forward Daniel Sosah struck early in the second half to settle the Group E finale.
The result caps an efficient away display from the Ménas, who absorbed long spells of pressure before landing the decisive blow.
Zambia, already out of contention before kick-off, pushed for a positive send-off but ran into a resolute back line and an inspired Mahamadou Tanja in goal.
Victory confirms Niger as Group E runners-up and leaves them waiting on other results to learn whether a play-off route will open.
The match followed a clear pattern from the start: Chipolopolo possession, Niger compactness.
Roared on by the home crowd, Zambia created the better first-half openings through Edward Chilufya and Kings Kangwa, while the returning Patson Daka and Fashion Sakala probed the channels.
Each time, Niger’s defensive unit held firm, with Tanja’s handling and positioning keeping the interval goalless.
Four minutes after the restart, Niger struck with ruthless simplicity. Victorien Adebayor cut inside from the left and unleashed a skidding effort from distance that Lawrence Mulenga could only parry; Sosah reacted first, guiding the rebound home for his third goal in as many internationals.
It was a poacher’s finish and, ultimately, the night’s defining moment.
Zambia sought an instant reply. Chilufya drove at tired legs, Kangwa took aim from the edge of the box, and Daka flashed a near-post effort wide, but clear chances remained scarce.
As the minutes ticked by, Niger’s structure told: lines stayed tight, full-backs tucked in, and midfielders recycled the ball to quieten the tempo. When pressure did mount, Tanja’s command of his penalty area snuffed out danger.
Chipolopolo frustrations grew as the hosts struggled to translate territory into high-quality shots. Sakala’s late darts drew fouls but not the equaliser, and substitute deliveries were repelled by a back four that refused to be dragged out of shape. If the first half belonged to Zambia in flow, the second belonged to Niger in control.
The wider picture now comes into focus. Morocco, long since qualified and confirmed as group winners, close out the section at home to the Republic of Congo on Tuesday.
Niger, confirmed as runners-up, must wait on results elsewhere to determine whether they make the regional four-team play-off: Ethiopia need to avoid defeat at Burkina Faso, while Mali’s home date with Madagascar also feeds into the calculations.