We’re slowing getting closer to the Draft World Cup finals, with two sides already confirmed as qualified, and many, many more already eliminated. We’ll be losing another five today as we get stuck into the second round of Africa qualifying. Like the first, this consists of two-legged play-offs, with the victors being rewarded with a place in the final stage. So let’s see how the draw shapes up – the highest-ranked sides have been kept apart, but there are several exciting ties.
Today we’re going to follow both legs of the first five ties, so let’s just get stuck in.
Tunisia vs. Rwanda
First leg
Tunisia are the third-highest ranked side in African qualifying, after contributing significantly to the North African side which reached the final 16 of the 2017 DWC. Up against Rwanda, who played a part in East Africa’s significantly less successful 2017 bid, Tunisia are red-hot favourites here. However, a shock appeared on the cards when Said Makasi fired Rwanda into an early lead. However, Tunisia were soon level as Oussama Darragi’s low drive, and had the chance to take the lead from the spot. However, Zaiem’s penalty flew high over the bar, and Tunisia couldn’t find a goal to go ahead before the break. It took until halfway through the second half when Wajdi Bouazzi blasted a shot into the roof of the net to finally give Tunisia the lead. Saber Khalifa added two further strikes to complete a solid 4-1 win.
Tunisia vs. Rwanda
First leg
Tunisia are the third-highest ranked side in African qualifying, after contributing significantly to the North African side which reached the final 16 of the 2017 DWC. Up against Rwanda, who played a part in East Africa’s significantly less successful 2017 bid, Tunisia are red-hot favourites here. However, a shock appeared on the cards when Said Makasi fired Rwanda into an early lead. However, Tunisia were soon level as Oussama Darragi’s low drive, and had the chance to take the lead from the spot. However, Zaiem’s penalty flew high over the bar, and Tunisia couldn’t find a goal to go ahead before the break. It took until halfway through the second half when Wajdi Bouazzi blasted a shot into the roof of the net to finally give Tunisia the lead. Saber Khalifa added two further strikes to complete a solid 4-1 win.
Second leg
Once again, Rwanda get the opening goal when Makasi’s clever pass gave Jean Lomami a sight of goal. However, Tunisia ensured there was to be no dramatic comeback as Tunisia extended their aggregate lead through Darragi and a Bizimana own goal. Rwanda did get one back, as the excellent Makasi set up Lomami again, and a final leg score of 2-2 was a decent result for Rwanda, but Tunisia progress 6-3 on aggregate.
Sierra Leone vs. Ivory Coast
First leg
Ivory Coast were part of the Western Africa side which were decent if not spectacular last year. This time round, they have several star names to add to their side, including former English Premier League stars Didier Zokora and Emmanuel Eboue. Sierra Leone, meanwhile, needed extra time to overcome Swaziland and get through the first round. Therefore, an Ivory Coast win was heavily on the cards, but it was Sierra Leone who took the lead in the 17th minute through Kempson Fofanah’s prodded goal from a corner. Ivory Coast never found a way to dominate the fixture, as both side’s 4-3-3 cancelled each other out. Sierra Leone were able to hold out and claim a very impressive 1-0 win, now can they hold on to it away from home?
Second leg
Ivory Coast came out of the traps gunning to overturn the score, but they fell further behind when Fofanah, a centre back, surprisingly scored his second in two games as Ivory Coast’s marking from a corner failed them badly. This away goal meant Ivory Coast now needed three goals, and just after the break it became four when Sierra Leone added to their tally through Ibrahim Kabba’s neat low finish. Ivory Coast finally got on the scoresheet when sub Souleymane Coulibaly headed in, and a second came through Yaya Soumahoro’s finish, but by then 87 minutes had elapsed, and there was not enough time for the comeback to be completed. Therefore, Sierra Leone were able to hold out for an incredible 3-2 aggregate win, and eliminate the star-studded Ivory Coast!
Once again, Rwanda get the opening goal when Makasi’s clever pass gave Jean Lomami a sight of goal. However, Tunisia ensured there was to be no dramatic comeback as Tunisia extended their aggregate lead through Darragi and a Bizimana own goal. Rwanda did get one back, as the excellent Makasi set up Lomami again, and a final leg score of 2-2 was a decent result for Rwanda, but Tunisia progress 6-3 on aggregate.
Sierra Leone vs. Ivory Coast
First leg
Ivory Coast were part of the Western Africa side which were decent if not spectacular last year. This time round, they have several star names to add to their side, including former English Premier League stars Didier Zokora and Emmanuel Eboue. Sierra Leone, meanwhile, needed extra time to overcome Swaziland and get through the first round. Therefore, an Ivory Coast win was heavily on the cards, but it was Sierra Leone who took the lead in the 17th minute through Kempson Fofanah’s prodded goal from a corner. Ivory Coast never found a way to dominate the fixture, as both side’s 4-3-3 cancelled each other out. Sierra Leone were able to hold out and claim a very impressive 1-0 win, now can they hold on to it away from home?
Second leg
Ivory Coast came out of the traps gunning to overturn the score, but they fell further behind when Fofanah, a centre back, surprisingly scored his second in two games as Ivory Coast’s marking from a corner failed them badly. This away goal meant Ivory Coast now needed three goals, and just after the break it became four when Sierra Leone added to their tally through Ibrahim Kabba’s neat low finish. Ivory Coast finally got on the scoresheet when sub Souleymane Coulibaly headed in, and a second came through Yaya Soumahoro’s finish, but by then 87 minutes had elapsed, and there was not enough time for the comeback to be completed. Therefore, Sierra Leone were able to hold out for an incredible 3-2 aggregate win, and eliminate the star-studded Ivory Coast!
Cape Verde vs. Algeria
First leg
Cape Verde came through the first round by overcoming Chad narrowly on away goals. However, they have a chance here as Algeria’s league is one of the weakest in North Africa, as Algeria failed to have any players selected for the North African 2017 side. With both sides playing fairly conservative 4-3-3 formations, it was a scrappy game. The key moments came in the 80th minute when Cape Verde’s Flavio was booked for diving in the box. Algeria played the free kick upfield and Aoudia goes down under the challenge of Pecks. A penalty is given, and Amir Karaoui fires it home to give Algeria a 1-0 advantage at the halfway point of this tie.
Second leg
In the fourth minute Algeria lost lone striker Aoudia to injury, but they remained in control of the tie and extended their lead just after the break when Nacereddine Khoualed nodded in a corner. Mustapha Djallit’s trickling effort made it 3-0 on aggregate, and although Figo (not that one) headed in via the crossbar for Cape Verde, Algeria were able to progress to the next round relatively untroubled.
First leg
Cape Verde came through the first round by overcoming Chad narrowly on away goals. However, they have a chance here as Algeria’s league is one of the weakest in North Africa, as Algeria failed to have any players selected for the North African 2017 side. With both sides playing fairly conservative 4-3-3 formations, it was a scrappy game. The key moments came in the 80th minute when Cape Verde’s Flavio was booked for diving in the box. Algeria played the free kick upfield and Aoudia goes down under the challenge of Pecks. A penalty is given, and Amir Karaoui fires it home to give Algeria a 1-0 advantage at the halfway point of this tie.
Second leg
In the fourth minute Algeria lost lone striker Aoudia to injury, but they remained in control of the tie and extended their lead just after the break when Nacereddine Khoualed nodded in a corner. Mustapha Djallit’s trickling effort made it 3-0 on aggregate, and although Figo (not that one) headed in via the crossbar for Cape Verde, Algeria were able to progress to the next round relatively untroubled.
Guinea vs. Sudan
First leg
These appear to be two very well-matched sides, although Sudan go in as the higher-ranked side thanks to their contributions to the North African side last year. It’s Sudan who do take the lead when Keleshi Osunwa rose high to nod in a floated cross. However, Guinea’s bold 3-4-1-2 formation paid off as they scored either side of half time through Alpha Diallo and Ibrahima Sory Sankhon to lead. It looked to be enough, but in added time another Sudanese cross led to a goal as Hamouda El Bashir pounced to secure a 2-2 draw.
Second leg
Sudan are dealt a blow as CB Elrayah is ruled out through injury. Once again, the contest was entertaining and even. The key portion of the match came in the 12 minutes before half time as each side scored twice. Sudan lead twice through El Bashir and Osunwa (again), whilst Guinea equalised twice, both times through Alseny Camara. Incredibly, the next hour and a bit produced no more goals, as normal and extra time gave way to penalties. Excitingly, this is our first shootout of the whole 2018 DWC campaign! Each side missed one penalty and had another saved in their first four, leaving us at 2-2 (fittingly, given each leg score). Bisha knocked his in to put Sudan 3-2 up, and it was the winner as Guinea’s Keita hit a horrible shot down the middle that was easily held by Loic Feudjou. It wasn’t easy, but Sudan are the fourth side through to the final round of qualifying.
First leg
These appear to be two very well-matched sides, although Sudan go in as the higher-ranked side thanks to their contributions to the North African side last year. It’s Sudan who do take the lead when Keleshi Osunwa rose high to nod in a floated cross. However, Guinea’s bold 3-4-1-2 formation paid off as they scored either side of half time through Alpha Diallo and Ibrahima Sory Sankhon to lead. It looked to be enough, but in added time another Sudanese cross led to a goal as Hamouda El Bashir pounced to secure a 2-2 draw.
Second leg
Sudan are dealt a blow as CB Elrayah is ruled out through injury. Once again, the contest was entertaining and even. The key portion of the match came in the 12 minutes before half time as each side scored twice. Sudan lead twice through El Bashir and Osunwa (again), whilst Guinea equalised twice, both times through Alseny Camara. Incredibly, the next hour and a bit produced no more goals, as normal and extra time gave way to penalties. Excitingly, this is our first shootout of the whole 2018 DWC campaign! Each side missed one penalty and had another saved in their first four, leaving us at 2-2 (fittingly, given each leg score). Bisha knocked his in to put Sudan 3-2 up, and it was the winner as Guinea’s Keita hit a horrible shot down the middle that was easily held by Loic Feudjou. It wasn’t easy, but Sudan are the fourth side through to the final round of qualifying.
Burundi vs. Sao Tome & Principe
First leg
Sao Tome and Principe claimed ranking points through having a single player in the 2017 Central African squad that reached the 2017 finals. This has given them an arguably optimistic ranking of 63, ensuring they didn’t have to take part in the first round of qualifying. This means their match against Burundi, who narrowly overcame Gambia to get here, should be quite an even affair. Burundi got the first blow in the 3rd minute when a strong header from Moussa Mossi flew in, and he had his second half an hour later with a powerful drive from the edge of the box. Burundi were in total control of the game, but couldn’t add to their lead. Regardless, 2-0 is a strong position to be in.
Second leg
Sao Tome & Principe had unsurprisingly abandoned their cautious approach as they looked for a way back into this tie, and they looked competitive here. At least, until the 19th minute when Eric Gatolo ran through to blast Burundi ahead. This opened the floodgates as both Gatolo and Selemani Ndikumana completed hat-tricks (Ndikumana grabbing four) as Burundi ran riot, ultimately winning 8-0, even missing a penalty. Ouch.
First leg
Sao Tome and Principe claimed ranking points through having a single player in the 2017 Central African squad that reached the 2017 finals. This has given them an arguably optimistic ranking of 63, ensuring they didn’t have to take part in the first round of qualifying. This means their match against Burundi, who narrowly overcame Gambia to get here, should be quite an even affair. Burundi got the first blow in the 3rd minute when a strong header from Moussa Mossi flew in, and he had his second half an hour later with a powerful drive from the edge of the box. Burundi were in total control of the game, but couldn’t add to their lead. Regardless, 2-0 is a strong position to be in.
Second leg
Sao Tome & Principe had unsurprisingly abandoned their cautious approach as they looked for a way back into this tie, and they looked competitive here. At least, until the 19th minute when Eric Gatolo ran through to blast Burundi ahead. This opened the floodgates as both Gatolo and Selemani Ndikumana completed hat-tricks (Ndikumana grabbing four) as Burundi ran riot, ultimately winning 8-0, even missing a penalty. Ouch.
Next time
Two-legged play-offs are unforgiving, as Ivory Coast found out – their sluggish start has seen them eliminated at the expense of Sierra Leone, who join Burundi as qualifiers from Round 1 who have made it through Round 2 as well. We’ll be going back to Asia next, a continent which has served up a ludicrous number of high-scoring thrillers so far. Next episode’s group contains Qatar, who have amongst their moneyed ranks none other than Xavi.
Two-legged play-offs are unforgiving, as Ivory Coast found out – their sluggish start has seen them eliminated at the expense of Sierra Leone, who join Burundi as qualifiers from Round 1 who have made it through Round 2 as well. We’ll be going back to Asia next, a continent which has served up a ludicrous number of high-scoring thrillers so far. Next episode’s group contains Qatar, who have amongst their moneyed ranks none other than Xavi.