The African qualifiers for match day 2 of the World Cup in Russia 2018 was interesting with decent results and high profile fixtures among the continents top 20 sides.
Some teams have taken early initiative in their group while some are still struggling to find their feet at the moment.
There were 10 games on the continent with 20 teams battling it out against each other in the qualifying series. Results on the African scene produced 4 home wins, 3 draws and 3 away wins as top sides like Nigeria and Egypt won at home to continue a perfect (100%) record in the qualifying series of the Russia 2018 World Cup.
Here is the roundup of all the 10 games on the African Continent as it happened.
GROUP A
In a North African clash between host Libya and Tunisia, it was Tunisia who came out on top with a 1-0 away win courtesy of Wahbi Khazri 50th minute penalty after Libya’s Ali Salama was given his marching orders in the 49th minute of the game after a foul in the Penalty box. He was booked earlier in the 16th minute of the match.
Guinea lost at home to the Democratic Republic of Congo who put two past them courtesy of 2goals within 2minutes from the duo of Neekens Kebano and Everton’s Yannick Bolasie (in the 54th and 56th minute) after Guinea took a first half lead from Seydouba Soumah with a 23rd minute Penalty.
GROUP B
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon were held to a 1-1 draw by the visiting Chipolopolo of Zambia at home. Zambia forward Collins Mbesuma gave the visitors the lead in the 34thminute of the game but Vincent Aboubakar drew the host on level terms in the 45th minute from the Penalty spot.
The Super Eagles defeated the Algerian side 3-1 with goals from Victor Moses in the 26th and 91st minute and John Obi Mikel in 42nd minute while Algeria got a consolation goal with a cracking effort from Nabil Bentaleb in the 67th minute of the game to spark the feeling of a possible comeback.
GROUP C
Mali was held to a goalless draw by the visiting Gabon side led by the reigning African player of the year Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as both sides failed to record a goal after the entire 90 minutes.
Morocco endured a goalless draw against Ivory Coast despite the firepower of Watford’s Nordin Amrabat, Southampton’s Sofiane Boufal in attack an Ivorian defence missing star defender in Manchester United Eric Baily.
GROUP D
South Africa benefitted from the referees decision for a penalty to take the lead through Thulani Hlatshwayo who scored from the spot in the 43rd minute.Thulani Serero scored his second international goal and South Africa’s second goal (2-0) at the 45minutes of the game.Cheikh Ndoye bundled the ball over the line after several attempt was saved by the South Africa’s goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune in the 75th minute to give Senegal hope for a possible comeback.
Two first half goals from West African side in the 2nd and 29th minute by Banou Diawara and Prejuce Nakoulma was all the visitors needed to bag all the (3) three points at the expense of Cape Verde Islands. Charles Kabore was booked in the 81st minute of the game.
GROUP E
An 18th minute goal from Farouk Miya was all Uganda needed to beat Congo at home in the match day 2 game. Congo rallied in the second half for the equalizer but the Cranes of Uganda held firm to seal an important win in the match and stand a chance of qualifying from their group after they held the Ghanaians to a goalless draw (0-0) away from home.
Mohamed Salah converted a 43rd minute penalty to give the host (Egypt) the lead before the intermission while Abdalla El Said confirmed the win with an 86th minute goal of his own leaving the Ghanaians who have the attacking talent of Christian Atsu, Jordan Ayew and Andre Ayew in their mix five points behind in 3rd place in the group even behind the cranes of Uganda.
