Angola visited Uganda with their hot start to qualifying giving them confidence. Confidence was not enough for them to handle the talented Ugandans in Kampala, however, and Uganda jumped out to a 2-0 lead within twenty minutes. A second-half strike made it 3-0 before Angola pulled out a last-minute goal. The final score read Uganda 3, Angola 1."We are enjoying ourselves and the boys are playing really well.” –Cameroon coach Otto Pfister
Cameroon certainly did not enjoy the result they found at Tanzania. After its first two matches, Cameroon expected better than a scoreless draw, but every point matters on the way to South Africa.
Benin visited Niger, knowing that a good performance here could really help them in their efforts to make it to Round Two. The two teams found no answers in the opening half, but Benin found themselves two goals five minutes apart in the second half. Hapless Niger could only secure three yellow cards but no goals. Benin took all three points with their 2-0 defeat of Niger.
Zimbabwe visited a Kenyan team intent on making an impact in this tournament after tripping up Guinea in their first home qualifier. Kenya did it again, causing Zimbabwe to give them all three points by virtue of a 2-0 victory. Goals in each half, over one hour apart, were what did the damage for the Kenyans.
Congo visited Chad. Chad have been deemed ineligible for Angola 2010 because of their refusal to play in Sudan despite guarantees of their safety, but they are still eligible to make it to the World Cup. After Congo took a first-half lead, Chad pulled even before the break. A second-half score by the Chadians meant that they had themselves a 2-1 victory to ease the pain of the Cup of Nations ruling.
South Africa may very well be the most scrutinized World Cup hosts ever. They have qualified for the tournament before, but sadly for them they are proving that they need the automatic bid because the team does not look world-class in the slightest. A loss to preliminary-round participants Sierra Leone, albeit it a road loss, will do nothing to dissuade the perception. A penalty conversion by Sierra Leone one quarter into the game was enough to hold off South Africa for the duration. South Africa, at three points, are six behind group leaders Nigeria.
Algeria looked to keep their momentum after their easy victory last time out. Their hosts Gambia made sure that did not happen thanks to stifling defense and a penalty kick chance converted in the first half. The 1-0 win puts the Gambians in a surprising first-place ahead of powerhouse Sénégal.
Mali went to Sudan looking to take all three away from the Sudanese. Sudan responded with a goal at the stroke of halftime for a 1-0 lead. Mali returned the favor fifteen minutes later, but the final third of the match saw Sudan knock home two straight before allowing Mali a second score just before stoppage time. Sudan get the 3-2 win and three points.
Goal scorers:
Uganda: Sepuya 7; Batabaire 19; Wagaluka 74
Angola: Mantorras 90
Benin: Tchomogo 59; Omotoyossi 64
Kenya: Mariaga 13; Oliech 85
Chad: Kedigui 40; Djerabe 47
Congo: Batota 30
Sierra Leone: Kallon 22 PK
Gambia: Jaiteh 19 PK
Sudan: Yousif 45; Tahir 72 PK; Tambal 80
Mali: Kanouté 69, 90
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