RABAT/ KINSHASA – Mali, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana crowned their qualification to the play-off round of Africa’s 2022 World Cup Qualifiers.
Mali defeated Uganda 1-0 in Agadir to finish unbeaten in Group E, dropping points in only one match.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is also through to the play-off round after edging Benin 2-0 in a Group J clash in Kinshasa.
South Africa’s hopes of advancing into the final round of 2022 World Cup Qualifying were snuffed out when they lost 1-0 to Group G rivals Ghana at the Cape Coast Sports
Stadium.
Mali was already guaranteed top spot prior to the match, but put in a solid display against the Cranes to underline why they will enter next year’s playoffs with confidence that they can secure a first-ever World Cup qualification.
Mali ended top of the standings with 16 points from a possible 18, while Uganda were runners-up with nine.
After a quiet opening, it was Mali who claimed the lead on 18 minutes, with Nantes forward Kalifa Coulibaly placing a looping header beyond the reach of Uganda goalkeeper Ismail Watenga to put the hosts 1-0 up.
The Eagles had further chances, most notably for Moussia Doumbia after a slick passing move around the midway point of the first half, but this time Watenga was equal to the task.
Uganda struggled to put together any significant attacks with which to test Mali goalkeeper Ismael Diawara, leaving the score 1-0 in favour of the West Africans at the interval.
The Cranes were much improved after the restart, almost claiming an equaliser from Byaruhanga Bobosi’s free kick which flashed just wide on 59 minutes.
Yet Mali continued to carve out opportunities at the other end, with Watenga saving acrobatically from El-Bilal Toure’s header.
Uganda thought they had levelled the game on 65 minutes when Allan Okello directed the ball beyond Diawara, but he was correctly flagged for offside.
Elsewhere, the Democratic Republic of Congo is through to the play-off round of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after edging Benin 2-0 in a Group J top of the table clash in Kinshasa.
The victory took DR Congo to 11 points, top of the group while Benin finished second, just one point behind. Meanwhile in the other group match, Tanzania and Madagascar played to a 1-1 draw.
Heading to this fixture, Benin just needed a point in the Congolese capital to get themselves into the play-off round, but found themselves pegged back after just 10 minutes. Dieumerci Mbokani converted from the penalty spot after he was pulled back inside the area.
The Congolese held on to the lead, failing to net in a second despite having some chances.
In the second half, Benin came back with strategy to get themselves into the game and were on attack mode from the restart. They came close four minutes after the restart when Jodel Dossou weaved his way into the box, but his eventual shot hit the side netting.
The Beninese side kept pushing, knowing just a draw was enough to push them a step closer to a dream place in Qatar.
But, their hopes were skinned off with quarter of an hour left when Ben Malango headed home from the edge of the six yard box after rising to meet a Dieumerci Amale cross from the right.
DR Congo managed the game neatly to ensure they guarded their victory and earn a ticket to the play-offs.
Elsewhere, South Africa’s hopes of advancing into the final round of 2022 World Cup Qualifying were snuffed out on Sunday night when they lost 1-0 to Group G rivals Ghana at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
On the day he was completing his century of matches in the colors of the Ghanaian national team, captain Andre Ayew scored the game’s only goal.
The result at the Cape Coast Stadium meant both sides finish the group phase with 13 points. They had to be separated by the finest of margins, Ghana going through to the next round by virtue of having scored seven goals, one more than second placed South Africa.
The home side knew nothing short of a win would earn them a chance to vie for a place in Qatar and were off to a positive start. They were however pegged back in the 12th minute when star midfielder Mohamed Kudus had to come out and was replaced by Daniel-Kofi Kyereh.
Still, the home side gave in a push. Jordan Ayew had a good chance in the 14th minute when he stormed his way into the box from the right but his shot was deflected for a corner.
Two minute slater substitute Kyereh had a good chance when he ran into the box from the left, but his powerful shot was over the bar.
Ultimately, Ghana got into the lead in the 31st minute when the older Ayew converted from the penalty spot after Daniel Amartey was fouled inside the box.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia played to a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in a dead rubber Group G fixture. Kudakwashe Mahachi gave Zimbabwe a 36th minute lead before Abubeker Nasir equalized for the Ethiopians with three minutes to play.
Ethiopia finish the group phase with five points while Zimbabwe finish bottom with two points.
At the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium in Antananarivo, home side Madagascar fought from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Tanzania, with the two sides already out of contention. The result sees Tanzania finish third in the group with eight points while Madagascar are bottom with four.
Tanzania got into the lead in the 25th minute when Saimon Msuva scored his fourth goal of the qualifiers with a neat finish off a Salum Feisal pass.
Madagascar were rejuvenated in the second half and Hakim Abdallah forced Metacha Mnata to a good save in the 57th minute when he nodded in a strong header from Loic Lapoussin’s cross.
Paolon Voavy also came close 20 minutes to time just a few seconds after coming on when he was put through by a brilliant Fabrice Rakotondraibe backheel, but is shot was wayward.
They however got the much needed goal in the 74th minute when Abdallah fired in a volley from inside the box after the Tanzanian backline failed to clear away a Lapoussin freekick from the left.
Madagascar had to finish the match with 10 men when Pascal Razakanantenaina was sent off for a second yellow card for fouling Msuva at the edge of the box. From the resultant freekick, Novatus Dismas saw his freekick crack against the bar.
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