GROUP A
Sudan 0-3 South Africa
Sudan played host to South Africa, getting the first round of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying underway. The spotlight was onAl-Merreikh stadiumwhere Mohamed ‘Mazda’ Abdullah’s men imposed their playing style, stifling most BafanaBafanaincursions. BakriAlmadina was particularly impressive, bringing his teammates into dangerous positions, and threatening SenzoMeyiwa’s goal. Senzo completed two miraculous saves, valuably keeping his side in the game. In the second half, coach Ephraim Mashaba introduced SibusisoVilakazi for a change of pace and the move proved to be a masterstroke. Vilakazi spurred his side on, scoring two goals in a runaway 0-3 victory.
Nigeria 2-3 Congo
Nigeria’s Super Eagles had their wings clipped as they suffered from a World Cup hangover. After scoring early, Keshi’s backline failed to deal with Congo’s tricky winger ThievyBifouma. Bifouma first set up Prince Oniangue, who features in AFKSport’s 10 African Players Set To ShineIn Europe ThisSummer. Bifouma then used his pace to score a second half brace, placing the match well out of reach and nullifying Gbolahan Salami’s late effort.
Midweek Outlook
Claude LeRoy must keep his men focused as they’ll host Sudan in Brazzaville, while Stephen Keshi must rally the African champions travelling to Cape Town for a match they simply cannot lose.
GROUP B
Ethiopia 1-2 Algeria
Despite dominating possession and creating a plethora of scoring opportunities, the same old ghosts tortured the Walya Antelopes as they played host to the Fennecs of Algeria on Saturday evening. Naïve defending, poor goalkeeping, and inefficiency in front of goal tarnished an otherwise encouraging performance. You don’t need to invite a team of Algeria’s calibre to capitalize on such amateurism, as they struck a goal in each half, taking home the 3 points in Addis Ababa.
Mali – Malawi (postponed)
Heavy rain in Bamako saw this match postponed until Sunday afternoon, where ten-men Mali ran out 2-0 winners over Malawi. BakarySako opened the scoring in the 52nd minute. Ten minutes later GuingampgoalkeeperMamadouSamassa was sent off for handling the ball outside of his penalty area. The numerical advantage did not work in favour of The Flames though as Mali continued to threaten. In the final moments of the match, Sako turned provider for CheikhDiabate, who nodded in his cross and doubled his country’s lead.
Midweek Outlook
Les Aigles have now joined Algeria at the top of Group B, setting up a titanic clash on Wednesday night in Blida, where the North Africans have not lost since 2004. Malawi will try to recover by getting a home result against Ethiopia.
GROUP C
Burkina Faso 2-0 Lesotho
First half goals from Jonathan Pitroipa and Alain Traoré satisfied a full capacity crowd in Ouagadougou’s Stade 4 Aout on Saturday afternoon. The Black Stallions were dominant in all aspects of play, and could have easily won this match by several more goals.
Gabon 1-0 Angola
Samson Mbingui scored the goal of the first matchday as his Gabonese Panthers comfortably disposed of Angola. The new MC Alger striker latched on to a MalickEvouna lay-off and blasted past Angolan shot-stopper LanduMavanga. Angola resistsed admirably, but could not muster enough support forRayoVallecano striker Manucho to threaten Didier Ovono’s goal.
Midweek Outlook
Burkina Faso next travel to Angola while Lesotho will welcome a rampant Gabon in midweek.
GROUP D
DR Congo 0-2 Cameroon
Volker Finke took a relatively inexperienced team to Lubumbashi, sacrificing Samuel Eto’o, Alex Song and other established names in the interest of team chemistry. Vincent Aboubakar filled Eto’o’s shoes admirably, scoring a goal, while debutant Clinton N’Jie also added his name to the scoresheet. The magnificent result remains the first step in an extensive rehabilitative process for the Indomitable Lions.
Cote D’Ivoire 2-1 Sierra Leone
Johnny McKinstry and Sierra Leone brightly began a very difficult qualification campaign in Abidjan. Kei Kamara looked particularly bright early on and he provided the breakthrough approximately ten minutes in, latching on to a Georges Davies cross. Les Elephants applied crippling pressure, but the Leone Stars held tough throughout half. It took a pinpoint Serge Aurier cross to penetrate their stubborn fortress. The Paris Saint-Germain fullback found SeydouDoumbia who headed home from close range. With the game level, Cote D’Ivoire’s wingers found more space to operate and Gervinho capitalized, winning the game with an electrifying run.
Midweek Outlook
After a nervy start, HervéRenard must try and nick a result in Yaoundé against a reborn Cameroon outfit. Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo already find themselves in precarious situations. The DR Congo hold a slight advantage as Wednesday’s match – scheduled to take place in Freetown – was very recently delocalized to Lubumbashi.
GROUP E
Guinea 2-1 Togo
The Ebola epidemic forced Guinea to play this match in Casablanca, Morocco. First half goals from Seydouba Soumah and Idrissa Sylla gave the pseudo-hosts a head start. However, goal scorer Sylla was sent off on the hour mark. Yet the Guineans managed to hold on for a precious three points in spite of a late Jonathan Ayité strike.
Ghana 1-1 Uganda
Ghana opted for an attack-heavy formation following the debacle in Brazil. Kwesi Appiah’s 4-4-2 often looked more like a 4-2-4 as wingers Andre Ayew and Christian Atsu adopted an aggressive mindset. Uganda looked to goalkeeper Dennis Onyango, who kept the Cranes in the match with a series of wonder saves. His heroics paid off, as star man TonnyMawejje assumed his responsibilities in attack, smashing a shot past the hapless Fatau Dauda. On the cusp of a historic upset (Ghana have not lost in Kumasi since 1981), Uganda were unwound by an extremely soft penalty decision early in the second half. André Ayew expertly dispatched the spot kick, but the Black Stars of Ghana still dropped two points at home in a crucial part of the qualification process.
Midweek Outlook
Ghana now travel to Togo where they will try to make up lost points, while Uganda will attempt to build on an impressive start against an extremely tricky Guinean outfit.
GROUP F
Zambia 0-0 Mozambique
Mozambique continued their impressive progress holding Zambia to a frustrating nil-nil stalemate in Ndola. Play halted for five minutes in the second half as a stampede developed outside of the stadium. In an attempt to disperse the crowd, tear gas canisters were shot and some of the toxic gas wafted onto the pitch. The stoppage in play did not tilt the match in favour either side.
Niger 1-3 Cape Verde
Niger were the victims of a swift mauling as Cape Verde jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first thirty minutes of the Group F opener on Saturday. Elche’s midfielder Garry Rodrigues drew first blood in the third minute of the match. Odair Fortes and Ze Luis soon added to Niger’s misery. Niamey’s pride MoussaMaazou could only muster up a consolation goal in what proved to be a catastrophic showing for the Ménas.
Midweek Outlook
Cape Verde will try to distance themselves from the pack as they receive Zambia in Praia. Niger will test their resolve in Mozambique – a tough destination for any nation to play in.
GROUP G
Senegal 2-0 Egypt
ShawkyGharib’s first true test as manager of the Egyptian national team couldn’t have been much worse. Fielding a 3-5-2 of times past, his Pharaohs could not handle the physicality of a ruthless Senegalese strikeforce. MameBiramDiouf in particular burned Ahmed Okka and Shawky Said for pace on several occasions in the first half. SadioMané scored an almost identical goal in the second half where he beat the same two defenders and poked a goal past SherifEkramy. Mohamed Salah, who carried the responsibility of Egypt’s attack was often left isolated and could not provide the necessary impact.
Tunisia 2-1 Botswana
The first half in Monastirevoked memories of 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying where the Zebras of Botswana got the better of Tunisia on two consecutive occasions. The hosts fell behind once more, as Joel Mogorosi scored on a counterattack against the run of play. But Captain Yassine Chikhaoui put in a virtuoso second half performance. He orchestrated the comeback winning a free-kick that Wahbi Khazri curled in, then punctuated an emphatic showing with a confidently placed penalty just five minutes from time.
Midweek Outlook
Tunisia now head east to Cairo as they’ll take part in a heated North African derby, while Botswana welcome Senegal.
