Just two more matches are remaining in the group stage of African Qualifiers for FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022. Egypt have already cemented their place on top of Group F after stunning Libya 3-0 at the Benina Martyrs Stadium in Benghazi last Monday. However, this is far from enough for it to qualify for the next stage.
The Pharaohs have 10 points, four more than second-place Libya, after four rounds and need one win from the remaining fixtures against Angola and Gabon in November to be sure of making the play-offs as they bid to reach a second consecutive World Cup.
The coaching staff of the Egyptian national team, led by Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz, decided to play next match against Gabon, scheduled for next November, in the sixth round of the qualifiers, at the Borg el-Arab Stadium in Alexandria.
Egypt’s national football team director Wael Gomaa announced the permission for fans to attend the Gabon match but still under a limited number.
The 10 group winners will be split into five pairings, and the winners of the two-legged ties in March will represent Africa at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
However, surprise package Libya could still qualify if they take maximum points in matches against the same opposition and Egypt fail to win their remaining two games.
Last Tuesday, Morocco and Senegal became the first teams to reach the African play-offs for next year’s World Cup in Qatar, making it through with two group games left.
Tunisia, meanwhile, has a three-point lead over Equatorial Guinea in Group B, and the Carthage Eagles will guarantee passage to the play-offs with an away win against the West Africans on match day five.
As Tunisia has a far superior goal difference, Mondher Kbaier’s side could still top the group even if they lose.
In Group A, African Cup of Nations holders Algeria, led by Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez, are ahead of Burkina Faso on goal difference alone, with the two countries meeting in North Africa after they face Djibouti and Niger respectively.
Mahrez has scored 10 goals in his last 10 internationals to help Algeria extend their unbeaten run to 31 matches.
Côte d’Ivoire leads Cameroon by a point in Group D. If both countries win on match day five, with the Ivorians facing Mozambique and Cameroon taking on Malawi, the Indomitable Lions will need to beat the Elephants at home to progress.
Similarly, in Group G, South Africa has a one-point advantage over Ghana with the latter, who lost 1-0 in South Africa last month, hosting Bafana Bafana in the final round.
The Black Stars will travel to Ethiopia, as South Africa – chasing a first World Cup since hosting the 2010 finals – will host Zimbabwe prior to the clash in Ghana, whose last World Cup was in 2014.
Nigeria is two points in front of Cape Verde in Group C after the Super Eagles suffered a shock home defeat against Central African Republic. Nigeria will host Cape Verde in the final round of the group stage.
Mali and Uganda remain unbeaten, with the West Africans leading the Cranes by two points in Group E. Mali will travel to Rwanda and Uganda welcomes Kenya next month before the top two meet, with Mali the home team.
