"A win over Malawi is important because it would lift us through to the next phase." –Egypt coach, Hassan ShehataEgypt visited Malawi at Blantyre knowing that a draw would keep them in the group lead but that a loss would create a three-way tie between themselves, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Well, folks, we have ourselves a three-way tie. The game did not feature its first goal until second-half stoppage time, at which point the Malawi faithful were given a huge reason to celebrate: a 1-0 lead with no time remaining. The absence of forward Emad Moteab appeared to hamper their attack just a bit. The conclusion of this group should be very entertaining.
Côte d'Ivoire have been shadows of the team that shone on an international stage on its way to the 2006 World Cup. They visited Botswana and were greeted by a first-half deficit of 1-0. The Ivoirians did not succumb, however, and they battled back for a 1-1 draw and a crucial point.
Guinea visited Namibia in another important encounter in Africa’s deepest Round One group. They got off to a 1-0 lead, saw the Namibians even the score, and pulled ahead to a 2-1 lead, all before the first half concluded. The second half featured no scores, and Guinea stole three road points.
“Namibia are really not an agreeable team to come up against. They are normally happy to defend and fire long balls forward. So it wasn't an ideal match for a team like mine, who are very technically adept. We had to adapt and I am satisfied with my players' performance. The match was very difficult in all respects: physically, tactically, and, above all, mentally. We had no choice but to win, and thankfully we managed it." -Guinea coach Robert Nouzaret
Ghana came into Gabon with a perfect 2-0-0 record. Gabon changed that record in a shocking upset, although any results that come out of Africa are not really surprising any more because the continent’s soccer is so unpredictable. The Gabonese converted once in each half and won in shutout form by two goals. Ghana’s poor ending against Lesotho may have carried over into this match. Ghana now need to right the ship, but luckily, the still have a hold on first place in the group.
Morocco are looking to return to their rightful place at the World Cup after missing out to Tunisia last cycle, but they faced fellow 2-0-0 Rwanda in Kigali. Rwanda took a well-earned 1-0 advantage into the half, but Morocco appeared to regain the upper hand with their first goal just at the hour mark. Rwanda never relented, however, and a goal ten minutes from time sent the Moroccans into panic mode. In the eighty-eighth minutes, things got ugly as Soufiane Alloudi was tossed for Morocco and Eric Gasana was expelled for Rwanda. In the ensuing ten-on-ten tussle, Rwanda scored again to make the final score 3-1. Rwanda lead the group with nine points, and Morocco are second with six of their own.
Burkina Faso were another team looking to improve upon a 2-0-0 start when they visited Seychelles in the rainy stadium of Victoria. Though they grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first half and brought that edge into the intermission, Seychells come out with inspired soccer and took a 2-1 lead with ten minutes of the resumption of the match. It took a hat trick from Moumouni Dagano, Africa’s leading scorer, to get the job done for Burkina Faso, but a 3-2 win provided three points for a full complement of nine through three games.
Goal scorers:
Malawi: Msowoya 90+3
Botswana: Selolwane 25
Côte d'Ivoire: Akale 64
Guinea: Bangoura 15; Feindouno 45
Namibia: Bester 41
Gabon: Meye 42; Nguema 66
Rwanda: Ntaganda 14; Bokota 80; Karekezi 90
Morocco: Safri 58
Burkina Faso: Dagano 26, 55, 75
Syechelles: Zialor 46; Annacoura 52
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