Togo looked like they were flying high after their clutch win over Zambia at home in their first game. Swaziland did not seem to know that they were supposed to be the afterthought in the three-team group. A scoreless first half gave the Swazis belief in the abilities, and they poured in two goals because Togo frantically scrambled for one with two minutes left. Togo could not find the second, and Swaziland pulled off the upset of the day with a 2-1 victory.Sudan visited Congo with hopes of working some road magic. Instead, Congo hid Sudan’s magic wands and shut down the Sudanese offense. The first half scoreless, but the second was not. A goal at the hour mark by the home side saw them through to a 1-0 victory.
Malawi visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo looking for a win to keep pace with Egypt. It was not to be. Congo DR were able to hold Malawians at bay as they searched for their own offense. Both teams were goalless at the half, but the home side found the net halfway in the middle of the second half and held out for a 1-0 win and three vital points.
Rwanda are looking to be the surprise team of this year’s African qualifiers, much like Togo and Angola were in 2006. A positive result in Ethiopia would do wonders for their chances, but things were not going so well in the first half. Ethiopia knocked home a stoppage-time goal in the first half for a 1-0 lead. Often in soccer, that would end up being enough but not against a determined Rwanda. The Rwandans scored two unanswered goals in the second half, including the winner with one minute to go and won 2-1.
Angola were looking to continue their domination in Niger, but a Niger goal in the first five minutes applied unwanted pressure to respond. Fortunately, the Angolans did respond before the half to make it 1-1. The game ended 2-1 in Angola’s favor after a hard-fought match.
Uganda visited Benin, but they could not have expected the terrible force that was about to overcome them, especially not after taking a lead in the first ten minutes. Benin answered twice within nine minutes and soon because an unstoppable force. The home team’s 2-1 lead at halftime swelled to 4-1 before Uganda were mercifully shown the exit. Benin takes three points and a whole lot of confidence out of this match.
"To be honest, Senegal have big players and it will be a tough game, but I have confidence in my team, and their spirit gives me the feeling we can do it." -Gambia coach Paul Put
Sénégal visited Gambia looking to vanquish their lower-ranked opponents. Unfortunately, some boneheaded play by Abdel Mangane got himself sent off for his second yellow before the fortieth minute, and the Senegalese had to play a man down for the remainder of the match. This clearly affected their attacking possibilities, but they managed to escape with a scoreless draw.
Goal scorers:
Swaziland: Dlamini 55; Salelwako 72
Togo: Olufade 88
Congo: Endzanga 60
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Matumdna 76
Rwanda: A. Said 66; Karekezi 89
Ethiopia: Teshaye 45+2
Angola: Flávio 29; Asha 72
Niger: Karim Moussa Konate 4
Benin: Omotoyossi 15, 86; Tchomogo 17; Sessegnon 69
Uganda: Ssepuuya 8
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