Uganda vs. Niger
First leg
Uganda got here courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea. And as Niger only just avoided having to enter at Round 1, Uganda have every chance of becoming the third Round 1 winner to get to the final stage, after Sierra Leone and Burundi. Niger started positively, taking the lead through Abdoul Ousmane, but Boban Bogere’s cross drifted in to level. Niger took the lead again, which Uganda again cancelled out. Uganda then lost Kayizi to a second yellow card, giving Niger the chance to push for a decisive winner, which they got in the 90th minute from the spot, Idrissa Laouali with the goal.
Uganda had not only lost, but they had conceded three away goals, so they needed to start well in Niger. They did exactly that as Khalid Aucho’s volley put them into a third-minute lead. 40 minutes later and Uganda led 4-0. Niger pulled one back in first half injury time, Laouali again from the spot, but they still needed three second-half goals. This task was made even more difficult by Danvide’s straight red, and Uganda wrapped up a comprehensive 5-1 leg win through Bogere’s (intentional) late strike.
Nigeria vs. Mozambique
First leg
Nigeria, of course, are one of African football’s biggest names, although their DWC pedigree isn’t exceptional as they were part of the Western Africa side that finished second-bottom of their qualifying group last year. Mozambique, meanwhile, were part of the Southern Africa side that finished in that spot below Western Africa. Osawe Alaba gave Nigeria the lead from a corner, although Eneji missed the chance to double the lead from the spot. Nigeria did eventually get their second goal in the 90th minute, courtesy of Uche Agba’s excellent solo goal.
Second leg
The lead that Nigeria had worked hard for was gone within 14 minutes, as Cremildo struck twice. Mozambique had a penalty just before half time to put them into the lead, but the shot was saved. However, Nigeria weren’t out of the woods, as they finally did fall behind Fanuel’s delicate header. Nigeria just couldn’t get their act together, and further goals from Luis and Witi sealed an astonishing 5-0 defeat, and a 5-2 aggregate loss.
First leg
Tanzania earn their relatively high ranking through their part in the East Africa side which didn’t do much last year. Togo, meanwhile, had to get through Round 1, which they did by beating Seychelles 4-1. Justice Majavbi laid down the law with a low strike to put Tanzania ahead, but Daniel Nortey put Togo level. It was Togo who found the crucial leg-winning goal, Sapol Mani’s thunderbolt rifling in.
Tanzania quickly levelled the tie, albeit still behind on away goals, as Mrisho Ngasa prodded beyond Atsu. Togo levelled the leg just before half time through Morou Zakari, although Tanzania still needed a single goal to avoid defeat. However, Togo were the ones to push on, and second half goals for Mani and Kounou sealed a 5-2 aggregate win.
Malawi vs. South Africa
First leg
South Africa reached the final 16 of the 2017 DWC, where they took eventual champions Germany to extra time before going out. So they are widely expected to romp through qualification, and Malawi don’t appear much of a threat, as they narrowly avoided having to make it through Round 1. An open game got its first goal when Thulani Hlatshwayo fired into an empty net for South Africa, but monocles were dropped when Chiukepo Msowoya’s volley levelled matters after the break. Victor Obinna, once of Inter Milan, put South Africa back in front but into the final few seconds Malawi struck again through Joseph Kamwendo’s ferocious effort from the edge of the box. 2-2, and South Africa have to be very careful in the second leg.
Needless to say there were nerves in Soweto as South Africa hoped to avoid a calamitous early exit like those already experienced by Ivory Coast and Nigeria. Khama Billiat, underwhelming in the 2017 DWC finals, raced through to open the scoring for South Africa, and it was soon doubled by Siphiwe Tshabalala. Centre back Hlatschwayo scored for the second game in a row with a simple header from a corner, and an emphatic 4-0 leg win was wrapped up by Hlompho Kekana’s volley.
Madagascar vs. Senegal
First leg
Madagascar got here after beating Mauritania 7-3 over two legs. Senegal, meanwhile have relative superstars in their side, with former Fulham overkick-scorer Diamansy Kamara playing on the opposite wing to Modou Sougou, who I know from his spell at Sheffield Wednesday. It’s central midfielder Tidiane Sane who is the star, though, scoring both goals from the spot as Senegal earn a battling 2-0 victory.
Second leg
Madagascar started off a lot better in defence, but unfortunately not better in attack, as the first half was dull. Senegalese nerves were calmed by Sougou, who followed up his own shot hitting the post to fire in. A second goal came from Remi Gomis’ low shot, and the finishing touches to a 5-0 aggregate win came from Sane’s blasted shot into the top corner.
So, that’s another five teams through to the final stages of African qualifying. It’s been a while, but we return to Asia next for another slug-fest of a group. South Korea and Iran have both made it to the finals of the actual World Cup, but can they get through the first stage of qualifying for the Draft World Cup?