By Bonface Osano and Festus Chuma,
DR Congo,Egypt, Uganda, South Africa, Nigeria and Burkina Faso all recorded victories in Africa 2018 Russia World Cup qualifiers round 3 week 2 over the weekend.
2014 World Cup qualifiers Ghana and 2002 quarterfinalists Senegal were among biggest losers – failing to pick maximum points in their respective ties.
DR Congo kept 100% record in the qualifiers – rallying from behind to pip Guinea 1-2 at Stade du Septembre, Conakry, Sunday 13.
Seydouda Soumah’s penalty in the 23rd minute put the hosts in the lead heading into the breather, but the Leopards came back strong in the second stanza – equalizing through Fulham F.C’s midfielder Neeskens Kebano in the 54th minute, before Yannick Bolasie grabbed the winner with a thunderous left foot shot from a counter attack two minutes later.
The coach Florent Ibenge’s charges walloped Libya 4-0 in their opening group “A” qualifier on October 8th, and are now joint top of the group with 6 points, same with Tunisia who edged neighbors Libya 1-0 through Khazri’s 50th minute penalty at Stade Omar Hamidi, Algeria, Friday 11.
In group “B” matches Saturday 12, Nigeria pulled a huge surprise, thumping star-studded Algeria 3-1 at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Chelsea winger Victor Moses grabbed a brace in the 25th and 90+2nd minutes, with his club-mate and skipper John Obi Mikel scoring in the 42nd minute, as the resurgent “Super Eagles” moved four points clear at the top of the group.
Schalke 04 midfielder Nabil Bentaleb scored the North African’s sole goal in the 67th minute with a thunderbolt; they find themselves bottom with a single from the opening 1-1 draw at home to Cameroon in October.
Cameroon rallied to pick their second point in the campaign with a 1-1 draw against visiting Zambia in Limbe.
Veteran “Chipolopolo” striker “King” Collins Mbesuma struck in the 34th minute off captain Rainford Kalaba’s inviting cross from a well crafted free-kick, but Vincent Aboubakar’s questionable penalty restored parity for “the Indomitable Lions” at the stroke of half time.
Zambia who lost 2-1to Nigeria in Ndola are placed third in the group with a single point.
Egypt shocked Ghana 2-0 at a fully packed Borg El Arab stadium, Alexandria to open a two-point gap at the top of group “E” with six points.
Roma’s forward Mohamed Salah Ghaly converted a penalty in the 43rd minute, before Abdallah Said crowned a beautiful night for “the Pharaohs” with the second goal in the 86th minute.
The North Africans opened their campaign in October with a 2-1 win away to Congo Brazzaville while “the Black Stars” of Ghana were held to a barren draw by visiting Uganda in Tamale.
The 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Ghana, find themselves a distant third in the group standings behind Uganda (4 points) with one point.
In the other group match, Uganda beat Congo Brazzaville 1-0 in a match played on Saturday at Nelson Mandela Stadium.
Farouk Miya scored a magnificent goal in 17th minute in a victory that saw the coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojovic’s side keep World Cup hopes a live.
South Africa were among the big winners – securing their first win when they beat Senegal 2-1 at Peter Makoba Stadium, Saturday.
Two quick goals from Thulani Hlatshwayo in a controversial penalty and Thulani Serero strike three minutes later were enough to move them to the top of group “D”. Senegal’s goal came from Cheik Ndoye late in the second half.
Gabon frustrated Mali to a golless draw at Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako.Dortmund’s star Piere-Emerick Aubameyang struggled to find his rythm though posed more threat in attack in late minutes of second half.
The result combined well with group “C” other match on Saturday,a 0-0 draw between Morocco and Ivory Coast sees Gabon up to second in the standings with two points from two games.
The qualifiers take a brake to usher in 2017 AFCON, and will resume August 2017.
