Teams are now qualifying thick and fast for the 2018 Draft World Cup – in fact, after China and Kuwait qualified last time, we now have 10 sides already confirmed. Today we get an eleventh as we see who makes it through the third group in the final stage of African qualifying. This is how the round looks so far:
Mozambique remain alive because the best-performing 2nd-placed side will go into the Intercontinental play-off. They accrued 11 points, so whoever finishes second in this group would need to equal that to avoid elimination.
Today’s group looks very open. Morocco go in as justifiable favourites, as they had players in the successful North African side from last year, although they had to dig deep to beat Liberia 6-4 on aggregate. Ghana had a difficult tie as they drew Cameroon in Round 2, but came through with a highly impressive 6-1 aggregate win, whilst Zambia overcame Zimbabwe 7-6 in a titanic tussle. Reunion started this campaign as the lowest-ranked African side, but have two impressive aggregate wins to their name, 7-3 against Guinea-Bissau and 3-0 against Central African Republic. However, it would be one hell of a story if they got through this round as well.
The group starts with a bang as Zambia and Morocco play out a cracker. A chaotic first half ends with the score 3-3 thanks to two late Zambian goals. Neither team can find a breakthrough in the second half until we reached the final 10 minutes. Zambia looked to have gone ahead through Brian Chewe’s powerful shot, but he was offside, and this was vital as Morocco proceeded to score twice to win 5-3. Ghana get their opening win in a more straightforward fashion, as they beat Reunion 3-0.
Today’s group looks very open. Morocco go in as justifiable favourites, as they had players in the successful North African side from last year, although they had to dig deep to beat Liberia 6-4 on aggregate. Ghana had a difficult tie as they drew Cameroon in Round 2, but came through with a highly impressive 6-1 aggregate win, whilst Zambia overcame Zimbabwe 7-6 in a titanic tussle. Reunion started this campaign as the lowest-ranked African side, but have two impressive aggregate wins to their name, 7-3 against Guinea-Bissau and 3-0 against Central African Republic. However, it would be one hell of a story if they got through this round as well.
The group starts with a bang as Zambia and Morocco play out a cracker. A chaotic first half ends with the score 3-3 thanks to two late Zambian goals. Neither team can find a breakthrough in the second half until we reached the final 10 minutes. Zambia looked to have gone ahead through Brian Chewe’s powerful shot, but he was offside, and this was vital as Morocco proceeded to score twice to win 5-3. Ghana get their opening win in a more straightforward fashion, as they beat Reunion 3-0.
The group’s two favourites met as Ghana visited Morocco. Omar Najdi’s tap-in gave the hosts the lead, but Emmanuel Clottey ensured the spoils were shared with a late header. Reunion lost 3-0 again, this time to Zambia.
The feeling that Reunion were a little out of their depth was furthered by a 4-0 loss at home to Morocco. Meanwhile, Ghana scored in the first minute in their key clash with Zambia. Signs Chibambo headed Zambia level, and a very even match looked to be heading for a draw until the final minute when Zambia’s Chris Katongo volleyed a late winner for his side.
The feeling that Reunion were a little out of their depth was furthered by a 4-0 loss at home to Morocco. Meanwhile, Ghana scored in the first minute in their key clash with Zambia. Signs Chibambo headed Zambia level, and a very even match looked to be heading for a draw until the final minute when Zambia’s Chris Katongo volleyed a late winner for his side.
This means the table looks like this with half the matches played:
Ghana aren’t out of this yet, but they need better results against the sides above them. They avoid dropping points to Reunion, as a brace from Eric Bekoe leads them to a comfortable win, although a late strike from Jonas Payet gives Reunion their first goal, 3-1 the final score. Morocco and Zambia once again played out a thrilling game. Morocco scored early, and kept threatening to run away with it thanks to Najdi’s hat-trick, but Zambia kept pegging them back. However, they ran out of time and eventually lost 4-3, despite Chibambo also netting a hat-trick.
This meant Morocco could ensure qualification with a win over Ghana. This was made difficult by Ghana’s two early goals, but Morocco did get back to level-pegging. Ghana went down to 10 men after losing Sulley Muntari to a second yellow, but Morocco couldn’t find the winner they wanted. Zambia stayed alive by recording a 4-2 win against Reunion, with all-but-one of the goals coming in a mad 8-minute spell.
So here is the table heading into the final round of fixtures:
So here is the table heading into the final round of fixtures:
The bad news for Zambia and Ghana is that Morocco finish the group by hosting Reunion, which appears to be a nailed-on victory. However, as long as Zambia and Ghana don’t draw, then whoever wins that fixture will beat Mozambique’s record from Group A and become the side set to take part in the intercontinental play-off. So let’s see how the final games pan out...
Morocco vs. Reunion
So, a win will do it for Morocco, and it’s hard to see how they’ll slip up to a Reunion side yet to pick up a point. Najdi has led the way for Morocco with eight goals, but he is injured so Chisom Chikatara comes in up front. Reunion have no players unavailable, but they do replace centre back Grondin with Ravenne after a series of poor performances.
Morocco vs. Reunion
So, a win will do it for Morocco, and it’s hard to see how they’ll slip up to a Reunion side yet to pick up a point. Najdi has led the way for Morocco with eight goals, but he is injured so Chisom Chikatara comes in up front. Reunion have no players unavailable, but they do replace centre back Grondin with Ravenne after a series of poor performances.
Morocco start excellently, immediately putting Reunion under serious pressure, which leads to a loose ball finding Chikatara in the six yard box, and he scores just three minutes in. Morocco then change to control the match and retain possession, since they already have their lead. Coming up to half time they lose Hadifi to injury, with Ounajem coming on. The sub nearly scores immediately, as his low cross is deflected onto the post, with Chikatara hitting the post again with the rebound. Despite 16 shots in the half for the hosts, the score remains 1-0 at the break.
The second half is a dull affair, and as we get to the late stages Reunion realise they are one goal away from an upset and begin to push forward. Sub Simouni has a great chance when played clean through, but pokes wide to let Morocco off the hook. Ounajem hits the post again as Morocco try and kill the game off. Neither team can find a goal, and so the match finishes 1-0. It’s the win Morocco were after, but it was less convincing than expected.
Zambia vs. Ghana
As expected, there will be no chance of either team stealing top spot and automatic qualification, but there is a good chance of getting into the Intercontinental play-off with a win. Zambia are able to name an unchanged XI, but Ghana suffer a double blow – as well as Muntari being suspended for this crucial fixture, Bekoe is also unavailable due to collecting too many yellows. So in come Sekyere and Iddrisu.
Zambia vs. Ghana
As expected, there will be no chance of either team stealing top spot and automatic qualification, but there is a good chance of getting into the Intercontinental play-off with a win. Zambia are able to name an unchanged XI, but Ghana suffer a double blow – as well as Muntari being suspended for this crucial fixture, Bekoe is also unavailable due to collecting too many yellows. So in come Sekyere and Iddrisu.
Ghana have an early corner, and it eventually falls to Clottey, but his shot is smothered by Banda. It’s unsurprisingly a cagey match, but Ghana definitely appear more threatening, and Clottey heads them in front in the 27th minute. A few minutes later and it should be 1-1, as Chibamba is clean through on goal, but hits his shot straight onto the post. Half time, and currently Ghana are the ones who will avoid immediate elimination.
In an effort to exploit Ghana’s narrow formation, Zambia switch to a 4-2-4, pushing their wingers up. However, their plans are thrown into chaos when Katebe trips Asamoah as the Ghana striker was through on goal, and receives a red card. It would likely have been a goal, so was it a good decision by the Zambian defender? Either way, it means his side has to sacrifice Chewe for another centre back. A couple of minutes later, and Ghana get their second goal, Mohammad Awal meeting a corner firmly to head in. Tembo has a clear sight of goal, but his shot goes wide – a big chance for Zambia to get back into the match. In the final moments Ghana go down to 10 men as Opoku is forced off injured, but Zambia can’t take advantage and the final score of 2-0 eliminates both them and Mozambique.
Final standings
Final standings
Top scorer: Omar Najdi (MAR), Signs Chibambo (ZAM) 8 goals
Highest average rating: Omar Najdi (MAR) 8.16
Next time
Morocco qualify pretty impressively, whilst Ghana will have to wait to see if they will have another chance to qualify for the DWC. Next time it’s another European group, and it looks like a battle between neighbours as Netherlands and Belgium will vie for the qualification spot.
Highest average rating: Omar Najdi (MAR) 8.16
Next time
Morocco qualify pretty impressively, whilst Ghana will have to wait to see if they will have another chance to qualify for the DWC. Next time it’s another European group, and it looks like a battle between neighbours as Netherlands and Belgium will vie for the qualification spot.