By Angu Lesley
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Scoring a hat-trick on the international stage is a rare achievement. But to go one better – netting four goals in a single World Cup qualifying match – places a player into an exclusive group.
Across decades of African World Cup qualifying, only six players have managed the feat – each etching their name into their nation’s football folklore. From North Africa to the Indian Ocean and deep into Central Africa, these remarkable performances span generations and reflect the continent’s rich footballing tapestry.
The Magnificent Six
Francileudo dos Santos (Tunisia) – 2005
A Brazilian-born forward who embraced Tunisia as home, dos Santos was the first to record the remarkable haul during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers. His four-goal salvo against Malawi in June 2005 secured Tunisia’s place in Germany – where he also went on to score in the group stage.
Faneva Imà Andriantsima (Madagascar) – 2007
Largely under the radar, Andriantsima’s heroics came in a 6-2 win over Comoros in 2007. Though Madagascar were far from qualifying contention, his clinical display marked one of the earliest signs of the nation’s growing football potential, later realised in AFCON 2019.
Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo) – 2008
The towering Togo striker was in his prime when he tore through Swaziland (now Eswatini) in Lomé. His four goals not only propelled Togo in the qualifiers for South Africa 2010, but also underscored his reputation as one of Africa’s most lethal forwards during the 2000s.
Islam Slimani (Algeria) – 2021
In a ruthless 8-0 demolition of Djibouti, Slimani made history as Algeria’s all-time top scorer, with his four goals pushing him beyond the record previously held by Abdelhafid Tasfaout. The match served as a stark warning to Algeria’s rivals of their attacking prowess during the Qatar 2022 qualifiers.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – 2023
Already a global superstar, Salah delivered a masterclass against Djibouti in a 6-0 thrashing in Cairo. The Liverpool forward’s four-goal display combined power, precision and elegance – reaffirming his place among the elite not only in Africa but globally.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon) – 2025
The most recent entrant, Aubameyang rolled back the years with a stunning four-goal performance against Seychelles. At 36, the former Arsenal captain showed he still has the killer instinct, reigniting Gabon’s hopes for 2026 World Cup qualification.
Analysis: What It Takes to Score Four
kick442.com football analyst Mballa Fabrice breaks down the significance:
“Scoring four in a World Cup qualifier is not just about the opposition – it’s about timing, momentum, and leadership. Most of these players were either at their peak or playing crucial roles for their countries. Look at Salah and Slimani – they weren’t just scoring; they were carrying national hopes.”
Mballa also notes a trend in the opposition:
“Three of these performances came against relatively weaker teams like Djibouti and Seychelles, but that shouldn’t undermine the feat. Many great strikers fail to deliver even in easier fixtures. These players seized the moment.”
The Legacy
With World Cup qualifiers continuing and African teams hungry for a place on the global stage, more names may join this elite list in the years ahead. For now, the “Select Six” stand as a testament to African striking excellence.
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