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Top seeds not performing in tight African groups
After the fourth round of matches in Africa, virtually each group has four or more contenders still able to reach top spot. Not to mention a few surprise leaders with only one top seeded team leading their respective group.
The weekend started in Libya where the group 3 hopefuls took on Benin, a nation hoping to propell it's slim chances of qualification in a tough group. Both teams got off to a good start with Al Shibani (9 min) scoring for the home side while Osseni (12 min) leveling the scores. But after the break it was one way traffic for Libya. Kara (47 min), Osman (51 min) and Suliman (70 min) put the result beyond Benin to give the home side three points and stay in touch with the leaders.
Saturday saw four more matches with the pick being the Morocco Vs. Tunisia clash. This was seen as the highlight for African football this weekend and it didn't disappoint. Santos got Tunisia off to the perfect start with a 12th minute strike. However the home side fought bravely but couldn't bring the score back by half time. In the second half Clayton, from Tunisia, got sent off for a second yellow card four minutes from time. Morocco needed no invitation, leveling the game two minutes later through Safri. The home side had fought back to salvage a point, a result Tunisia will be disappointed with.
Of the other matches on Saturday, Kenya made it's long awaited return to the international arena with a 3-2 victory over bottom of the table side Malawi. They will want to improve on their second half performance though after holding a 3-0 lead in the first half thanks to Baraza (22 and 31 mins) and Oliech (26 mins). Malawi's Mkandawire got one back before the break and a second came their way through the penalty spot on the full time whistle, Munthali converting the spot kick.
Zambia also took home three points after downing Liberia 1-0 through a last minute Bwala strike. Burkina Faso also picked up a victory thanks to Dagano (34 min) and Nibiema (79 min) to defeat Uganda 2-0.
Africa came alive with football action on Sunday with ten matches being played, the pick being Egypt hosting Cameroon.. The Cameroon side couldn't get into their rhythmic groove against the Egyptians as the hosts scored three goals in the opening 89 minutes. Shawky (45 min), Hassan (74 min pen) and El Saeed (89 min) put the match beyond doubt. Samuel Eto'o worked hard late to some how pull two back but the final 3-2 scoreline in favour of Egypt flattered the Cameroon side who were never in it.
The Ivory Coast is quickly becoming the side to watch in Africa after a 5-0 thumping of Sudan. Dindane scored a hat-trick (15, 25, 89 mins) while Drogba (12 min) and Kone (56 min) also chipped in to give their side top spot in group three.
Guinea is also quickly becoming a team to watch as they showed Botswana how to play football with a 4-0 victory. While their first half was ordinary, their second was top class as they shared the four goals around. Feindouno (46 min), Youla (50 min), Diawara (55 min) and Mansare (76 min) all scoring.
Of the remaining seeded teams Nigeria walked away 3-0 victors over Zimbabwe. Aghahowa (3 min), Enakahire (25 min) and Yakubu (47 min) the scorers. Senegal stole a point off Mali after Camara (53 and 90 mins) saved the 2002 world cup side from defeat. Coulibaly (46 min) and Kanoute (60 min) were the scorers for Mali. Finally South Africa failed once again going down to Congo DR 1-0. Musasa was the 85th minute goal scorer that provided the upset.
In other results, Gabon defeated Algeria 3-0. Aubameyang (56 min), Akiremy (78 min) and Otomo (88 min) the scorers. Angola knocked off Rwanda 1-0 through a 46th minute Freddy strike while Togo continued to impress defeating Congo 1-0. Adebayor scoring just after the break.
After four rounds the groups couldn't be tighter. Group 1 sees Togo, Senegal and Zambia on 7 points while Congo is nipping at their heels on 6. Group 2 is lead by Ghana and Congo DR on 7 points with Burkina Faso and South Africa on 6 a piece. Group 3 sees Ivory coast with a two point lead on 9 points while Egypt, Cameroon and Libya all follow on 7. Group 4 sees Nigeria lead on 9 points with Angola on 8. Gabon and Zimbabwe still just in touch on 5 points. Group 5 is lead by Guinea on 7 points. Morocco sits second on 5 while Tunisia is one point further back on 4. Kenya sits in 4th on 3 points but has 2 games in hand.
7 September, 2004 |
