History At World Cup: 9 Of 10 African Nations Reach Knockouts

Africa scripted World Cup history as nine of its 10 qualifying nations advanced to the knockout stage, shattering the previous record of two. Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cape Verde, Egypt, Congo, and Algeria progressed. Congo's Fiston Mayele called it "really historic." The feat highlights African soccer's growing depth and potential.