Frankfurt newcomers Ellyes Skhiri and Farès Chaibi were both involved in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Thursday evening. On the sixth and final matchday in Group F, Chaibi played the whole 90 minutes as Algeria were held to a goalless draw at home to Tanzania, moving them to 16 points – eight ahead of their opponents – at the top of the section.
There were more goals to shout about in Tunisia’s qualifier against Botswana. Frankfurt midfielder Skhiri went the distance as the Eagles of Carthage cruised to a 3-0 victory to lift them to 16 points at the Group J summit.
An Ecuador side featuring Willian Pacho were beaten 1-0 by Argentina in their opening qualifier for the 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico. Lionel Messi’s 78th-minute free-kick decided the game at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, but Pacho was named the “most reliable player” of the match after lasting the full 90 minutes.
Elsewhere, Nnamdi Collins was not involved as Germany U20s drew 1-1 with their Italian counterparts in Berlin.