Last time out we had real drama as Turkey’s scored in injury time to snatch the automatic qualifying spot away from Italy and become the third side qualified for the 2018 Draft World Cup. We’re back in Africa, and last time we were here we saw a fairly big shock as Ivory Coast crashed out against Sierra Leone. This is how the rest of the draw looks:
Today we are covering the next five fixtures, or the bottom-left corner of the draw above. So without hesitation...
Zimbabwe vs. Zambia
First leg
This clash is between the world’s only two ‘Z’ nations, which you will find dull but I find fascinating. Anyway, these two are very close in the rankings, so this should be a tight battle. Having said that, Zambia storm into an early two-goal lead through Isaac Chansa and Brian Chewe. Chansa adds a third in the second half as Zambia look to run away with the tie already. However, this had actually been an even contest, and Zimbabwe earn a fairer scoreline by pulling goals back through Mike Temwanjera and Obadiah Tarumbwa. With the score 3-2 to Zambia, both sides will have regrets.
Zimbabwe vs. Zambia
First leg
This clash is between the world’s only two ‘Z’ nations, which you will find dull but I find fascinating. Anyway, these two are very close in the rankings, so this should be a tight battle. Having said that, Zambia storm into an early two-goal lead through Isaac Chansa and Brian Chewe. Chansa adds a third in the second half as Zambia look to run away with the tie already. However, this had actually been an even contest, and Zimbabwe earn a fairer scoreline by pulling goals back through Mike Temwanjera and Obadiah Tarumbwa. With the score 3-2 to Zambia, both sides will have regrets.
Second leg
Zimbabwe needed to win this match well, given the away goals they’d conceded. Therefore, they would be pretty happy to be 2-1 up at the break. However, they couldn’t find the crucial third goal, and Chewe’s late strike looked to be insult to injury. But that goal hadn’t changed the equation for Zimbabwe and in the 90th minute they were awarded a penalty. Up stepped Temwanjera, who kept his cool to score and make the leg score 3-2 to Zimbabwe... meaning we get extra time! Zambia had let their lead slip, but they restored it when Chewe struck 8 minutes into the additional period, and two minutes later Chris Katongo doubled that lead. Zimbabwe, to their credit, fought back once more and Tafadzwa Rusike pulled one back. Now, a single goal would put Zimbabwe through on away goals, but with only three minutes to do it in they were unable to, as Zambia progressed after a thrilling 4-4 draw, 7-6 on aggregate. Wow!
Mali vs. Namibia
First leg
Mali go into this as favourites thanks to their reasonably high ranking, partly earned through their contribution to the 2017 Western Africa side, whilst Namibia are the lowest-ranked side who didn’t have to go through Round 1. But it was Namibia who took the lead in the 10th minute through Milton Chapo’s shot. They held this lead well, until around the hour mark when Mali struck three times in close succession to gain a strong lead. Kalilou Traore’s last penalty added a fourth, but Namibia were able to just about stay in touch with an injury time goal from Jerome Louis.
Zimbabwe needed to win this match well, given the away goals they’d conceded. Therefore, they would be pretty happy to be 2-1 up at the break. However, they couldn’t find the crucial third goal, and Chewe’s late strike looked to be insult to injury. But that goal hadn’t changed the equation for Zimbabwe and in the 90th minute they were awarded a penalty. Up stepped Temwanjera, who kept his cool to score and make the leg score 3-2 to Zimbabwe... meaning we get extra time! Zambia had let their lead slip, but they restored it when Chewe struck 8 minutes into the additional period, and two minutes later Chris Katongo doubled that lead. Zimbabwe, to their credit, fought back once more and Tafadzwa Rusike pulled one back. Now, a single goal would put Zimbabwe through on away goals, but with only three minutes to do it in they were unable to, as Zambia progressed after a thrilling 4-4 draw, 7-6 on aggregate. Wow!
Mali vs. Namibia
First leg
Mali go into this as favourites thanks to their reasonably high ranking, partly earned through their contribution to the 2017 Western Africa side, whilst Namibia are the lowest-ranked side who didn’t have to go through Round 1. But it was Namibia who took the lead in the 10th minute through Milton Chapo’s shot. They held this lead well, until around the hour mark when Mali struck three times in close succession to gain a strong lead. Kalilou Traore’s last penalty added a fourth, but Namibia were able to just about stay in touch with an injury time goal from Jerome Louis.
Second leg
Namibia were certainly outplayed in the first leg, but at home they appeared more confident, matching their opponents. And when Louis ran onto a long pass to score, Namibia only needed a second unanswered goal to win on away goals. However, Mali held firm and claimed an unexpectedly tight 4-3 aggregate win.
Morocco vs. Liberia
First leg
Morocco are ranked fifth in Africa currently, thanks to their part in the exploits of North Africa, who reached the 2017 DWC knockout stages. Their opponents Liberia, however, have already caused one upset by beating Benin in Round 1, and Teku Nahn put them ahead in the 4th minute with a composed finish. Morocco huffed and puffed, but the upset really did look on until the 65th minute when Omar Najdi fired a volley home. 15 minutes later and Najdi prodded in a second, followed by a lashed finish from Zakaria Hadraf. 3-1 to Morocco didn’t look likely for most of the game, and Liberia will be gutted their efforts were for little reward.
Namibia were certainly outplayed in the first leg, but at home they appeared more confident, matching their opponents. And when Louis ran onto a long pass to score, Namibia only needed a second unanswered goal to win on away goals. However, Mali held firm and claimed an unexpectedly tight 4-3 aggregate win.
Morocco vs. Liberia
First leg
Morocco are ranked fifth in Africa currently, thanks to their part in the exploits of North Africa, who reached the 2017 DWC knockout stages. Their opponents Liberia, however, have already caused one upset by beating Benin in Round 1, and Teku Nahn put them ahead in the 4th minute with a composed finish. Morocco huffed and puffed, but the upset really did look on until the 65th minute when Omar Najdi fired a volley home. 15 minutes later and Najdi prodded in a second, followed by a lashed finish from Zakaria Hadraf. 3-1 to Morocco didn’t look likely for most of the game, and Liberia will be gutted their efforts were for little reward.
Second leg
Morocco wanted this game put away as quickly as possible, and two early goals looked to have done that, including another for Najdi. James Lomell’s nice long shot got one back for Liberia, but the two-goal lead was restored after the break by Abderrahim Achchakir. Liberia fought back again, Dulee Johnson immediately replying from the spot, and in the 87th minute they levelled the leg through Herron Berrian. But it was too little, too late as Morocco won 6-4 on aggregate, a narrower margin than they would have liked or expected.
Botswana vs. Libya
First leg
Libya also contributed to the 2017 North African side, and so go in as favourites against Botswana, who got here after a narrow Round 1 victory over Mauritius. And it was indeed Libya who took momentum in the match, looking favourites to win. However, they were hit with a sucker-punch when Qinani Sibanda volleyed home superbly to give Botswana the lead around the hour mark. Despite Libyan pressure, Botswana held firm and claimed a 1-0 lead to defend away from home.
Morocco wanted this game put away as quickly as possible, and two early goals looked to have done that, including another for Najdi. James Lomell’s nice long shot got one back for Liberia, but the two-goal lead was restored after the break by Abderrahim Achchakir. Liberia fought back again, Dulee Johnson immediately replying from the spot, and in the 87th minute they levelled the leg through Herron Berrian. But it was too little, too late as Morocco won 6-4 on aggregate, a narrower margin than they would have liked or expected.
Botswana vs. Libya
First leg
Libya also contributed to the 2017 North African side, and so go in as favourites against Botswana, who got here after a narrow Round 1 victory over Mauritius. And it was indeed Libya who took momentum in the match, looking favourites to win. However, they were hit with a sucker-punch when Qinani Sibanda volleyed home superbly to give Botswana the lead around the hour mark. Despite Libyan pressure, Botswana held firm and claimed a 1-0 lead to defend away from home.
Second leg
Sibanda strikes again, heading in a corner to put Botswana in a commanding position, with an away goal leaving Libya needing three goals. They get one before the break, Younes Shibani also heading in a corner. A devastating spell just after the break reaps three goals for Libya, who storm into the lead. Botswana don’t have a comeback, and a second goal for CB Shibani wraps up an impressive 5-1 victory (5-2 aggregate) for Libya.
DR Congo vs. Kenya
First leg
DR Congo have a few players who were starts of Central Africa’s run to the 2017 DWC finals, and so present a very tough opponents for Kenya, who had players in the significantly less successful East Africa side last year. DR Congo got the opening goal just after the break when terrible marking gave Salif Coulibaly acres of space inside the 6 yard box to prod in. Kenya levelled soon after, though, and in remarkable fashion. Centre back Israel Emuge launched a high ball forward from his own half, which goalkeeper Kidiaba flapped at, only able to push it into his own net. The goal went down as Emuge’s which I think is my first own-half goal on Football Manager since the days of Championship Manager 3. A shocked DR Congo can’t recover, and the tie ends 1-1.
Sibanda strikes again, heading in a corner to put Botswana in a commanding position, with an away goal leaving Libya needing three goals. They get one before the break, Younes Shibani also heading in a corner. A devastating spell just after the break reaps three goals for Libya, who storm into the lead. Botswana don’t have a comeback, and a second goal for CB Shibani wraps up an impressive 5-1 victory (5-2 aggregate) for Libya.
DR Congo vs. Kenya
First leg
DR Congo have a few players who were starts of Central Africa’s run to the 2017 DWC finals, and so present a very tough opponents for Kenya, who had players in the significantly less successful East Africa side last year. DR Congo got the opening goal just after the break when terrible marking gave Salif Coulibaly acres of space inside the 6 yard box to prod in. Kenya levelled soon after, though, and in remarkable fashion. Centre back Israel Emuge launched a high ball forward from his own half, which goalkeeper Kidiaba flapped at, only able to push it into his own net. The goal went down as Emuge’s which I think is my first own-half goal on Football Manager since the days of Championship Manager 3. A shocked DR Congo can’t recover, and the tie ends 1-1.
Second leg
The first half was played out with no goals, as the teams matched each other in a tight tussle. That scoreline favoured Kenya, and just before the hour mark Gilbert Fiamenyoh’s shot hit the bar, hit DR Congo keeper Gbohouo (in for Kidiaba) and went in. However, DR Congo shrugged off this latest piece of bad luck, and equalised through Zambian AfCoN-winning legend Rainford Kalaba, whose late run into the box had more than a shade of Frank Lampard. The game was drifting towards extra time until the 86th minute when Solomon Asante’s powerful shot went in to put DR Congo 2-1 up. Kenya now needed two goals, and they appeared to have got one straight away when Ochieng prodded in a loose ball – but the flag was raised for offside, and that was that as DR Congo progressed 3-2 on aggregate.
Next time
Plenty of goals in those games, although few upsets. We’re travelling to North America next, as the second round of qualifying gets underway there. There will be several teams who will fancy their chances of getting through, with Mexico strong favourites to win the group.
The first half was played out with no goals, as the teams matched each other in a tight tussle. That scoreline favoured Kenya, and just before the hour mark Gilbert Fiamenyoh’s shot hit the bar, hit DR Congo keeper Gbohouo (in for Kidiaba) and went in. However, DR Congo shrugged off this latest piece of bad luck, and equalised through Zambian AfCoN-winning legend Rainford Kalaba, whose late run into the box had more than a shade of Frank Lampard. The game was drifting towards extra time until the 86th minute when Solomon Asante’s powerful shot went in to put DR Congo 2-1 up. Kenya now needed two goals, and they appeared to have got one straight away when Ochieng prodded in a loose ball – but the flag was raised for offside, and that was that as DR Congo progressed 3-2 on aggregate.
Next time
Plenty of goals in those games, although few upsets. We’re travelling to North America next, as the second round of qualifying gets underway there. There will be several teams who will fancy their chances of getting through, with Mexico strong favourites to win the group.