The African Qualifiers for FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022 reached the end of Matchday 2 this week, as the ten groups start to take shape on the road to Qatar.
19 games took place across the continent on the account of Matchday 2, with Guinea v Morocco match postponed due to the situation in Guinea. Following is a look on how it stands in the 10 groups, with top side reaching the third and final qualification round.
Group A
Algeria extended their unbeaten record to 29 games, after holding Burkina Faso to 1-1 draw in Marrakech. Both sides are on four points, but Les Fennecs lead the group on goal difference.
In Rabat, Niger defeated Djibouti 4-2 to record their first win in the campaign and go third.
Results
Djibouti 2-4 Niger
Burkina Faso 1-1 Algeria
Standings
1. Algeria – 4 points (+8)
2. Burkina Faso – 4 points (+2)
3. Niger – 3 points (0)
4. Djibouti – 0 points (-10)
Matchday 3
Algeria – Niger
Djibouti – Burkina Faso
Group B
Tunisia continued their perfect start, beating Zambia 2-0 in Ndola to go on top with maximum points, and without conceding a goal. Meanwhile Equatorial Guinea revived their hopes, beating Mauritania 1-0 in Malabo.
Results
Zambia 0-2 Tunisia
Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Mauritania
Standings
1. Tunisia – 6 points (+5)
2. Zambia – 3 points (-1)
3. Equatorial Guinea – 3 points (-2)
4. Mauritania – 0 points (-2)
Matchday 3
Equatorial Guinea - Zambia
Tunisia - Mauritania
Group C
Nigeria needed the help of luck to come from behind and defeat Cape Verde 2-1 in Mindelo, courtesy to a late bizarre own goal. The Super Eagles top the goal with maximum points. Meanwhile in Douala, Liberia defeated Central African Republic 1-0 to record their first win.
Results
Cape Verde 1-2 Nigeria
Liberia 1-0 Central African Republic
Standings
1. Nigeria – 6 points (+3)
2. Liberia – 3 points (-1)
3. Cape Verde – 1 point (-1)
4. Central African Republic – 1 point (-1)
Matchday 3
Liberia – Cape Verde
Nigeria – Central African Republic
Group D
Sebastien Haller produced a “Man of the Match” performance to guide Cote d’Ivoire to a home 2-1 win over Cameroon in Abidjan, in the group’s Clash of Giants. Haller’s brace in the opening half put Les Elephants on top of the group on four points, one more than the Indomitable Lions.
Elsewhere in Johannesburg, Malawi managed a vital 1-0 win over Mozambique to go third.
Results
Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 Cameroon
Malawi 1-0 Mozambique
Standings
1. Cote d’Ivoire – 4 points (+1)
2. Cameroon – 3 points (+1)
3. Malawi – 3 points (-1)
4. Mozambique – 1 point (-1)
Matchday 3
Cameroon - Mozambique
Malawi – Cote d’Ivoire
Group E
It was a tale of two draws, as Kenya held Rwanda to a 1-1 draw in Kigali, while Uganda and Mali played to a barren stalemate in Entebe. Mali leads the pack on four points, have achieving the only group win so far.
Results
Rwanda 1-1 Kenya
Uganda 0-0 Mali
Standings
1. Mali – 4 points (+1)
2. Kenya – 2 points (0)
3. Uganda – 2 points (0)
4. Rwanda – 1 point (-1)
Matchday 3
Mali - Kenya
Rwanda – Uganda
Group F
Libya surprised Angola 1-0 in Luanda to shockingly lead the group with maximum points. While Egypt scored a last minute equalizer to hold Gabon 1-1 in Franceville. In the aftermath, The Pharaohs coach Hossam Elbadry was sacked to become the qualifiers’ first victim.
Results
Angola 0-1 Libya
Gabon 1-1 Egypt
Standings
1. Libya – 6 points (+2)
2. Egypt – 4 points (+1)
3. Gabon – 1 point (-1)
4. Angola – 0 points (-2)
Matchday 3
Egypt - Libya
Angola - Gabon
Group G
A late goal in Johannesburg gave South Africa a famous 1-0 win over Ghana to go on top of the group on four points. Ethiopia scored from the spot in injury time to secure their first win 1-0 over Zimbabwe in Bahir Dar and go third.
Results
South Africa 1-0 Ghana
Ethiopia 1-0 Zimbabwe
Standings
1. South Africa – 4 points (+1)
2. Ghana – 3 points (0)
3. Ethiopia – 3 points (0)
4. Zimbabwe – 1 point (-1)
Matchday 3
Ghana – Zimbabwe
Ethiopia – South Africa
Group H
Senegal proved their favorites’ tag, beating Congo in Brazzaville 3-1, with Ismaila Sarr and Sadio Mane scoring two late goals to secure top spot with maximum points. Meanwhile, Namibia returned from Lome with an away 1-0 win over Togo to continue their dream start.
Results
Congo 1-3 Senegal
Togo 0-1 Namibia
Standings
1. Senegal – 6 points (+4)
2. Namibia – 4 points (+1)
3. Congo – 1 point (-2)
4. Togo – 0 points (-3)
Matchday 3
Senegal – Namibia
Togo – Congo
Group I
Guinea Bissau achieved a remarkable away victory, beating Sudan 4-2 in Khartoum to go top on four points.
The current situation in Guinea forced its game with Morocco to be postponed.
Results
Sudan 2-4 Guinea Bissau
Standings
1. Guinea Bissau – 4 points (+2)
2. Morocco – 3 points (+2)*
3. Guinea – 1 point (0)*
4. Sudan – 0 points (-4)
* From one match
Matchday 3
Morocco – Guinea Bissau
Sudan – Guinea
Group J
Tanzania defeated Madagascar 3-2 in a five goal thriller in Dar es Salaam, while DR Congo held Benin to a 1-1 draw in Cotonou, as the group looks still open to all probabilities.
Results
Tanzania 3-2 Madagascar
Benin 1-1 DR Congo
Standings
1. Tanzania – 4 points (+1)
2. Benin – 4 points (+1)
3. DR Congo – 2 points (0)
4. Madagascar – 0 points (-2)
Matchday 3
DR Congo – Madagascar
Tanzania - Benin
Source: cafonline.com