Uganda’s unbeaten World Cup qualifying run ends, Ghana, DR Congo progress to the play-off round

Mali crowned their qualification to the play-off round of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a 1-0 victory that subjected Uganda Cranes to their first defeat of the qualifiers.

Kalifa Coulibaly scored in the second consecutive match, striking the solitary goal in the 19th minute that handed them maximum points against the Uganda Cranes. Koulibaly had also scored in the 3-0 thrashing of Rwanda last week that earned them qualification.

Mohamed Magassouba’s men finished the group phase with 16 points from five wins and a draw, an away 0-0 result against Uganda.

Meanwhile, 🇺🇬Cranes finished second in the group with nine points whilst Kenya and Rwanda will round up the group when they clash in Nairobi on Monday.

SOUTH AFRICA 0-1 GHANA

Captain Andre Ayew scored the game’s only goal as the Black Stars beat South Africa 1-0 to progress to the play-off round of the qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The result at the Cape Coast Stadium meant both sides finish the group phase with 13 points. They had to be separated by the finest of margins, Ghana going through to the next round by virtue of having scored seven goals, one more than second placed South Africa.

The home side knew nothing short of a win would earn them a chance to vie for a place in Qatar and were off to a positive start. They were however pegged back in the 12th minute when star midfielder Mohamed Kudus had to come out and was replaced by Daniel-Kofi Kyereh.

Still, the home side gave in a push. Jordan Ayew had a good chance in the 14th minute when he stormed his way into the box from the right but his shot was deflected for a corner.

Two minute slater substitute Kyereh had a good chance when he ran into the box from the left, but his powerful shot was over the bar.

Ultimately, Ghana got into the lead in the 31st minute when the older Ayew converted from the penalty spot after Daniel Amartey was fouled inside the box.

In the second half, it was South Africa who had the chances. Percy Tau had two successive opportunities, first his freekick from range going straight into the keeper’s arms while he also had a shot from the edge of the area saved by the shot stopper.

Despite concerted efforts, Ghana defended with their lives to keep the score and earn a ticket to the next round.

Senegal finished the group round with 16 points, their only blemish being last week’s draw with Togo.

DR CONGO 2-0 BENIN

Heading to this fixture, benin just needed a point in the Congolese capital to get themselves into the play-off round, but found themselves pegged back after just 10 minutes after Congo’s Dieumerci Mbokani converted from the penalty spot after he was pulled back inside the area.

The Congolese held on to the lead, failing to net in a second despite having some chances.

In the second half, Benin came back with strategy to get themselves into the game and were on attack mode from the restart. They came close four minutes after the restart when Jodel Dossou weaved his way into the box, but his eventual shot hit the side netting.

The Beninese side kept pushing, knowing just a draw was enough to push them a step closer to a dream place in Qatar.

But, their hopes were skinned off with quarter of an hour left when Ben Malango headed home from the edge of the six yard box after rising to meet a Dieumerci Amale cross from the right.

DR Congo managed the game neatly to ensure they guarded their victory and earn a ticket to the play-offs.

SENEGAL 2-0 CONGO

Meanwhile in Thies, already qualified Senegal finished the group phase with an unbeaten record after defeating Congo 2-0 courtesy of a pair of goals from Ismaila Sarr.

The Watford FC striker broke the deadlock with a ferocious shot in the 14th minute before tapping home for the second 10 minutes later.

Senegal finish the group round with 16 points, their only blemish being last week’s draw with Togo.

MADAGASCAR 1-1 TANZANIA

At the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium in Antananarivo, home side Madagascar fought from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Tanzania, with the two sides already out of contention. The result sees Tanzania finish third in the group with eight points while Madagascar are bottom with four.

Tanzania got into the lead in the 25th minute when Saimon Msuva scored his fourth goal of the qualifiers with a neat finish off a Salum Feisal pass.

Madagascar were rejuvenated in the second half and Hakim Abdallah forced Metacha Mnata to a good save in the 57th minute when he nodded in a strong header from Loic Lapoussin’s cross.

Paolon Voavy also came close 20 minutes to time just a few seconds after coming on when he was put through by a brilliant Fabrice Rakotondraibe backheel, but is shot was wayward.

They however got the much needed goal in the 74th minute when Abdallah fired in a volley from inside the box after the Tanzanian backline failed to clear away a Lapoussin freekick from the left.

Madagascar had to finish the match with 10 men when Pascal Razakanantenaina was sent off for a second yellow card for fouling Msuva at the edge of the box. From the resultant freekick, Novatus Dismas saw his freekick crack against the bar.

ZIMBABWE 1-1 ETHIOPIA

Elsewhere, Ethiopia played to a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in a dead rubber Group G fixture.

Kudakwashe Mahachi gave Zimbabwe a 36th minute lead before Abubeker Nasir equalized for the Ethiopians with three minutes to play.

Ethiopia finished the group phase with five points while Zimbabwe finished bottom with two points.