RSL in Africa: 7 CAF stars crucial in race to World Cup | OneFootball

While the Saudi Arabian national team is off in Europe preparing for next month’s crunch FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Road to 2026 continues elsewhere around the world for the Roshn Saudi League’s collection of international stars.

Nowhere is that more represented than in Africa, where a host of leading players from across the league are involved in qualifying action that will go a long way to determining spots for next year’s global showpiece in North America.

Here, we've selected seven who will play a crucial role for their country across the next week.

William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria) - Al Kholood

The captain of Nigeria, the Al Kholood defender faces a huge week ahead against Rwanda and South Africa, who occupy second and first respectively in Group C.

With just one win from six games, fourth-placed Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying could be dealt a serious blow if they don’t collect at least one win. Conversely, back-to-back victories will get their campaign back on track ahead of next month's final two qualifiers.

Troost-Ekong, who spoke to us this summer regarding his lofty international ambitions, will look to lead his country through a successful double-header.

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Mohau Nkota (South Africa) – Al Ettifaq

On the other side of one of those equations is Al Ettifaq’s new starlet, Mohau Nkota, who on RSL opening day scored on debut in his new side's 2-1 win against Troost-Ekong’s Al Kholood.

One of Bafana Bafana’s most exciting and promising young talents, Nkota will be hoping to play a decisive role against both Lesotho and Nigeria, knowing two victories could all but seal automatic qualification on merit to a World Cup for the first time since 2002.

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Sadio Mane (Senegal) - Al Nassr

Senegal are locked in a thrilling three-way battle in Group B with DR Congo and Sudan, with one point separating the three sides: DR Congo sit first, Senegal second and Sudan third. And, conveniently, it's those two sides that Senegal face this week with so much on the line.

As one of the most capped players in his country's history, Mane will play a leading role in attack, with two goals already to his name in this campaign. The Al Nassr forward, twice African Player of the Year, should once more be hugely important to Senegal’s qualification dreams.

Sadio Mane, one of the many Senegal stars in the RSL, forms pivotal part of Al Nassr's attack

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Franck Kessie (Cote d’Ivoire) - Al Ahli

It’s been somewhat of a dream campaign for the West African side, who had five wins and a draw from their six games to sit atop Group F (Gabon supplanted them on Wednesday following victory against Seychelles).

Cote d’Ivoire take on third-placed Burundi and then Gabon away, where two wins would leave them only another victory away from sealing qualification. And, in the heart of midfield, will be Al Ahli’s in-from midfield enforcer Kessie, controlling the play and dictating the tempo.

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Zaydou Youssouf (Comoros) - Al Fateh

The 26-year-old joined Al Fateh only this summer, but started the new RSL season with a goal on the opening day - albeit it wasn’t enough as Al Fateh fell 2-1 to Al Fayha.

However, Youssouf will be hoping to take that form with him into the national team as Comoros chase a first qualification to the FIFA World Cup.

Sitting second in Group I, three points off leaders Ghana, back-to-back away games against Mali and Central African Republic afford them a golden opportunity to take one step closer to realising their dream.

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Yassine Bono (Morocco) - Al Hilal

With a perfect five wins from five games, Morocco sit six points clear at the top of Group E and thus are well on their way to their third straight FIFA World Cup appearance. Indeed, that will be secured as early as next week if results fall their way.

Bono’s performances for Al Hilal at the summer’s FIFA Club World Cup proved he is still one of the world’s best goalkeepers, and he kept a clean sheet in the RSL opener against Al Riyadh. So it’s no surprise that he has conceded only two goals during this qualifying campaign.

Morocco are up against Niger first, followed by third-placed Zambia.

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Fashion Sakala (Zambia) - Al Fayha

One player hoping to dent Bono’s record is Al Fayha’s Fashion Sakala, who has earned a recall to his national team from Zambia manager, and former Chelsea head coach, Avram Grant.

Nothing but a win will do for Zambia in their only qualifier this break at home to Morocco – Eritrea have withdrawn from the group – to really keep alive their qualification hopes.

A huge hit in the RSL, Sakala comes into his recall after an impressive showing in 2025-26 Matchweek 1, with an assist in that 2-1 win at Al Fateh. Could he be the difference to reignite Zambia’s World Cup quest?