The second round of African qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 kicked off last month with 40 teams vying for just 10 berths in the final round. With only six games each to keep their qualification dreams alive, any setback can have dire consequences.
Two teams who could be biting their nails nervously come the final matchday are Ghana and Cameroon, in contrast to Morocco and Senegal, who have both taken maximum points thus far and are already through to the next phase. South Africa, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Nigeria and Tunisia, all former World Cup participants, remain in control of their own destinies, as do Tanzania and Mali, who currently top their respective groups and harbour dreams of a maiden appearance on the world stage.
Flawless Morocco and Senegal progress
With four wins in as many matches, the Atlas Lions and their Teranga counterparts are assured of top spots in Groups I and H respectively and can enjoy their final two fixtures free of pressure.
Morocco, who had three games in just six days, recorded emphatic back-to-back wins over Guinea-Bissau (5-0 and 3-0), followed by a comfortable victory over Guinea (4-1). Just as impressive as those wins was the convincing manner in which they were achieved, something that has occasionally been ben lacking since the beginning of Vahid Halilhodzic’s tenure.
“It takes concentration, 100 per cent commitment and desire, and if I don’t see that, I’m not at all happy,” said the demanding Bosnian coach. “We need to continue this encouraging run for as long as possible. There are quite a few positives to come from it, both defensively and offensively. Ultimately, we bring a more controlled, better managed game, and what I most like about it is that we’re taking our chances. I think this team can attain a higher level soon,” he added.
For their part, the Senegalese also needed just four matchdays to win their group, with the two most recent bringing consecutive victories against Namibia (4-1, 3-1). After scoring in the first of those two games, alongside star striker Sadio Mane, Famara Diedhiou netted a hat-trick in yesterday’s second encounter to guarantee the progress of Aliou Cisse’s side.
Situation in remaining groups
Group A Reigning African champions Algeria remain unbeaten and atop the group on goal difference from Burkina Faso. Les Fennecs’ two wins this week ended the hopes of Djibouti and Niger and set up a showdown with Les Etalons on 14 November in Algeria.
Group B Tunisia dropped their first points of the campaign away to Mauritania (0-0) this week but retain top spot thanks to a 3-0 triumph a few days earlier against the same opponent. Second placed Equatorial Guinea, who took four points from their two meetings with Zambia in this window, will need the Carthage Eagles to drop more points when they meet twice in November if they are to deny them top spot in the group.
Group C Nigeria’s October 7 home-defeat to modest Central African Republic (1-0) certainly sent shockwaves around Africa. However, the Super Eagles made amends a few days later by winning the return fixture (2-0) to retain top spot. Do not rule out Cape Verde, however, who lurk just two points behind the leaders after their two wins over Liberia. The latter and Central African Republic are out of the running but could still have a say in proceedings in their respective outings against Nigeria and Cape Verde on the penultimate match day, before the top-two square off in their final fixture.
Group D Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon both took maximum points from their respective double headers with Malawi and Mozambique, who are both now out of contention. Top spot in the group will likely only be decided when the leading pair go head-to-head on the final day. The Indomitable Lions, who went down to the Elephants in the corresponding away fixture, have to win the home meeting, provided neither drop points on the penultimate day, when the Ivorians host the Mambas, and the Cameroonians visit Malawi.
Group E After ending the hopes of Kenya and Rwanda, front runners Mali and Uganda can look forward to a potentially decisive clash on the final matchday. For now, Les Aigles hold a two-point lead and will also have home advantage against Uganda on November 14. The pair played out a scoreless draw in September in Entebbe.
Group F Group favourites Egypt reasserted their dominance in this window with back-to-back wins over second-placed Libya (1-0, 3-0). Now four points clear, the Pharaohs are odds-on to reach the next round, given their two remaining fixtures are against already-eliminated Angola and a Gabon side almost certainly out of the running.
Group G Ghana’s two wins (3-1, 1-0) in four days against Zimbabwe, with two goals from Thomas Partey, including a free-kick to secure the points in Harare, has kept them firmly in the hunt for top spot. That still belongs to South Africa, who also took maximum points from their two meeting with Ethiopia (3-1, 1-0). As a result, the Black Stars are still one point behind the Bafana Bafana, who they will need to beat on the final matchday provided neither slip up against the already-eliminated Ethiopia and Zimbabwe in their penultimate fixtures.
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