IFFHS CONTINENTAL NEWS - AFRICA
Picture : Mali is one of the African teams already qualified.
Mali are 3rd side to qualify for CAF Qatar 2022 Round 3 after Algeria, Senegal.
The Eagles put the qualification beyond group mates, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda when they spanked hosts, Rwanda 3-0 tonight. As last defender, Rwanda player, Djihad Bizimana had no choice but to pull down his opponent on 8 minutes and so earned a red card. Mali midfielder, Moussa Djenepo raised the curtains on 19 minutes with a great left foot strike from just outside the area. Forward Ibrahima Koné was vigilant a minute later to seize the ball from the goalkeeper and find the net. Forward player Kalifa Coulibaly won a two-man duel from near thirty metres to increase tally 3-0 on 88 minutes and sent Mali on qualification celebration at the Stade Régional Nyamirambo. The other Group-E game pitted hosts, Uganda against Kenya at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kampala. Kenya captain, Michael Olunga concluded activity with a header straight into the net on 61 minutes before his goalkeeper fumbled inside his area for Uganda forward, Fahad Bayo to equalize on 89 minutes. Mali thus qualify with 13 pts, Uganda 9 pts, Kenya 3 pts and Rwanda 1pt.
In Group-G, South Africa edged Zimbabwe at the FNB Stadium 1-0 when midfielder, Teboho Mokoena headed a cross past the excellent Zimbabwe keeper on 26 minutes. Their group rivals, Ghana were held to a 1-1 draw by Ethiopia at the Orlando Stadium. After several attempts, forward and captain, André Ayew ultimately found the net on 22 minutes with a 30-metre drive. Ethiopia forward, Getaneh Kebede led his team mates on a crusade that landed them the equalizer on 72 minutes. The group tonight stands at S. Africa 13pts, Ghana 10pts, Ethiopia 4pts and Zimbabwe 1pt.
Already qualified from Group-H, Senegal travelled to Lomé where they played to a 1-1 draw with Togo at Stade de Kégue. The Teranga Lions got an own goal 1 minute into stoppage time of the first half when defender, Saliou Cissé headed into his own goal. However, forward player, Habib Diallo beat the advancing keeper with a graceful lob three minutes into stoppage time of the game. In the second Group-H game, hosts, Congo forced Namibia to a 1-1 draw at the Stade Massamba Débat. Forward player and captain, Peter Shalulile emerged from a tussle to hammer the ball past the keeper on 42 minutes. They would maintain the fighting spirit until overpowered by forward, Guy Mbenza with the equalizer on 54 minutes. After Day-5, Round 2, the group stands at, Senegal 13pts, Togo 5pts, Namibia 5 pts and Congo 3pts.
Group-J became more competitive with wins by Benin and DR Congo. At Stade de l’Amitie General Mathieu Kérékou in Cotonou, hosts, Benin defeated Madagascar 2-0. After several attempts on goal by Madagascar the tides turned when midfielder Jodel Dossou raised the curtains with a brilliant left foot drive from the edge of the box. A brilliant combination upfront on 79 minutes registered the second goal through forward, Steve Mounie. At the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, Dar es Salaam, visiting DR Congo trounced hosts, Tanzania 3-0. Midfielder, Gael Kakuta received a pass inside the box to beat the keeper on 6 minutes. Defender, Idumba Fasika improved on the score line on 66 minutes; and then forward, Ben Malango made it 3-0 on 85 minutes when a cross from the left flank landed on his head for onward transmission. Benin tally 10pts, DR Congo 8pts, Tanzania 7pts and Madagascar 3pts.
Egypt win Group-F to qualify already for play-offs as Mali, Morocco, Senegal.
Captained by Mohamed Salah, the Pharaohs recovered from two goals down to pull a 2-2 draw with Palacas Negras of Angola at the Estadio 11 de Novembro and qualified for the play-offs with day-6 still pending. The hosts raised the curtains on 26 minutes courtesy of forward, Hélder Costa following poor clearance by the keeper. Forward, M’bala Nzola increased tally from the penalty spot on 36 minutes after a body check called against Egypt. Midfielder, Mohamed Elnemy, with a Salah assist, reduced tally one minute into stoppage time of the first half. Yet another Salah assist, this time outside the box saw midfielder, Akram Tawfik equalize on 59 minutes. In the other Group-F game, captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang scored a penalty on 54 minutes to land themselves a 1-0 win over Libya at Stade de Franceville. At the end of the day, Egypt qualify from the group with 11pts, Gabon 7pts, Libya 6pts and Angola 4pts.
In Group-A, Algeria and Burkina Faso are separated by two points as they await the last day of the round. Djibouti suffered a 0-4 spanking when they received Algeria at the neutral venue of the Cairo International Stadium. Forward player, Youcef Belaili came back to fire past the keeper on 29 minutes after having his penalty stopped a minute earlier. Forward player, Said Benrahma made it 2-0 with a drive from the edge of the box on 40 minutes. Midfielder, Sofiane Feghouli fired at close range on 42 minutes to make it 3-0. And on 86 minutes, Islam Slimani headed past the keeper who had parried the ball in his first desperate attempt. In the other group game, hosts, Burkina Faso forced Niger on the neutral setting of Stade de Marakkech to a 1-1 draw. Both goals were scored from the penalty spot after body checks on a near identical spot. First, it was through midfielder, Youssouf Oumarou on 34 minutes, and then defender, Issoufou Dayo on 55 minutes. Group-A now stands at, Algeria 13pts, Burkina Faso 11pts, Niger 4pts and Djibouti 0pt.
Morocco continued their one man show in Group-I, slamming hosts, Sudan at the neutral venue of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 3-0. The match kicked off with high velocity as forward, Ryan Mmaee raced to beat the keeper on 3 minutes. He would make it a brace with a double intrusion on 61 minutes. Midfielder, Imran Louza made it 3-0 at the third minute of stoppage time of the game. Meanwhile, Guinea welcomed Guinea Bissau at the Stade Général Lansana Conté where they played to a 0-0 draw. The group stands at, Morocco 15pts, Guinea Bissau 5pts, Guinea 4pts and Sudan 2pts.