Senegal and Ivory Coast still have a lot to do to secure their place at next summer’s World Cup, while Nigeria still have a chance of joining them.
Senegal still top Group B of the CAF qualifiers after thrashing South Sudan 5-0, with Ismaila Sarr scoring twice for Pape Thiaw’s star-studded side. Saeed Mane also scored and was fouled by Nicholas Jackson’s penalty kick. Substitute Sherif Ndiaye added the fifth goal.
Any slip-up from DR Congo would have seen Senegal through today but Cedric Bakambu’s early goal helped them to a 1-0 win in Togo.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is two points behind Senegal and with a much lower goal difference before the final round on Tuesday.
For Sebastien Desabre’s men to advance to a direct spot in the USA, Canada and Mexico, they will need to win at home to Sudan and hope Mauritania wins in Senegal.
Failing that, a win could be crucial in the bid to at least finish the qualifiers as one of the four best runners-up who will then compete for a single place in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
The impressive Aubameyang keeps Gabon’s hopes alive
It’s a similar scenario in Group F as the group’s lead drops to the wire between Ivory Coast and Gabon.
The standout performance of the day came from Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who single-handedly kept his country ahead, scoring all four goals in their 4-3 win over Gambia.
The experienced Marseille forward twice put his side ahead but goals from Yankuba Mente and Adama Sidibe equalised. Sidibe then put Gambia ahead but Aubameyang scored two more goals to secure the vital three points.
The only blemish on the former Arsenal striker’s day was a late red card which means he will miss the final qualifier against Burundi.
Ivory Coast, which leads the group by one point, needs to beat Kenya on Tuesday to ensure qualification after crushing Seychelles 7-0 this afternoon.
A penalty kick by Ibrahim Sangare put them ahead and then further goals from Emmanuel Agbadu, Oumar Diakite, Ivan Gissand, Yann Diomande, Simon Adingra and Franck Kessie settled the one-sided encounter.
Nigeria is still competing in Group C
As for the third group, it is in a more delicate situation, as Benin, South Africa, and Nigeria were able to take the lead.
Benin tops the standings with 17 points after a difficult 1-0 win over Rwanda, with Lorient striker Ayegun Tossin scoring the only goal 10 minutes before the end of the match.
South Africa has 15 points after a frustrating 0-0 draw with Zimbabwe in Durban. Bafana Bafana played against 10 men for more than half an hour after Knowledge Musona was sent off but were unable to make a breakthrough and their frustration was compounded in stoppage time when Mbekizele Mbokazi was also sent off after picking up two yellow cards in three minutes.
Nigeria, who is one point behind, will host Benin in the final round and will overcome them with a two-goal victory. Today, they beat Lesotho 2-1.
Captain William Troost-Ekong put them ahead from the penalty spot after Mutlumelo Mkwanazi was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box. Victor Osimhen’s putback enabled Anwar Adams to make it 2-0 with 10 minutes remaining, and the Super Eagles held on despite Hlompho Kalaki getting a goal of honor.
Victories for South Africa, who were deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player, and Nigeria next week would see Bafana Bafana qualify.
South Africa will play Rwanda on Tuesday.
In Group H, already qualified Tunisia celebrated a crushing 6-0 victory over Sao Tome and Principe. Elias Saad and Muhammad Ali bin Ramadan scored two goals, and Firas Shaout and Ismail Harbi also scored two goals.
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