Africa's Round One resumed today with three World Cup qualifiers.The first matchup saw no surprises as Malawi paid a visit to already-eliminated Djibouti. Malawi went easy on their hapless hosts, pushing one goal across before halftime. Two more in the second half finished off the 3-0 win for Malawi, who now sit in a tie for first position in Group L, although leaders Egypt and Democratic Republic of the Congo will play tomorrow in their fifth match of qualifying.
The other two matches provided much more interest and excitement. Libya hosted 2006 World Cup participants Ghana in Tripoli. Libya and Ghana entered the fifth CAF matchday with nine points each in Group E. The game featured no scores in the first half, but that was no reason to believe that the two would not break through in the final half. With under ten minutes to go, the Libyans pulled out a clutch goal and held on defensively for the victory. The 1-0 defeat leaves Ghana struggling to reach Round Two, but it almost ensures Libya's progression to the next phase. Ghana have won its two home qualifiers against Libya and Gabon, but they suffered road defeats to both of those rivals as well. Gabon play winless and pointless Lesotho tomorrow and with a win would join Ghana at nine points. In the sixth and final qualifying matches for the Group E participants, Ghana host Lesotho and Gabon host leaders Libya.
"The quality of our play and our behavior on the field must be at the highest level." - Rabah, Saadane, coach of Algeria, speaking of what his team must do to defeat Sénégal.
In the day's final qualifier, Sénégal visited Algeria in a pivotal match to determine the outcome of Group F. Sénégal began the day with eight points, but Algeria were close behind with six and Gambia had five. The crowd was treated to a tense, scoreless first half, but the second half was a massive display of goal-scoring fireworks. The Senegalese struck first, scoring less than ten minutes into the second period, and thereby setting themselves up for instant qualification. It was not to be. The Algerians countered with three goals in a fourteen-minute span and had the game out of reach by the time Sénégal scored in the final minute of regulation. The epic 3-2 victory has Algeria on the cusp of the second and final round. Sénégal host Gambia, whereas Algeria visited Liberia in their respective Round One finales. Gambia and Liberia will play tomorrow.Goal scorers:
Malawi: Msowoya 45; Chavula 60; Nyondo 70
Libya: Osman 84
Algeria: Bezzaz 60; Saifi 67; Yahia 73
Sénégal: Diao 54; Gueye 90
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