Last time we saw another relatively big name drop out, as Belgium failed to qualify from their group. Now we’re back in Africa, and it’s the penultimate update as we find out who will be the fourth side to qualify for the finals. This is how the round looks:
Whoever finishes in 3rd and 4th today will definitely be eliminated. The side in second will have to beat Ghana’s record of 11 points & a goal difference of 6 to stay alive, as the second-place side with the best record will go into the Intercontinental play-off.
South Africa go into this group as hot favourites, after their run to the last 16 in the 2017 Draft World Cup installed them as the highest-ranked side in Africa. They got here after a 6-2 aggregate win over Malawi, although they drew the first leg 2-2. Gabon got here with no drama, a 5-0 aggregate win over Burkina Faso will have given them a lot of confidence. Algeria are surprisingly low-ranked and could be dangerous, although a 4-2 aggregate win over Cape Verde wasn’t that inspiring. Sierra Leone, meanwhile, had to start in Round 1 of qualifying, where they beat Swaziland before shocking Ivory Coast with a 3-2 aggregate win. Will they provide more upsets here?
Well, Sierra Leone certainly don’t start with an upset, as they lose 3-0 away to Gabon. Had the hosts not missed two penalties, it could have been even worse. Meanwhile, a brace from Khama Billiat saw South Africa get underway with a 3-1 win over Algeria at home.
South Africa go into this group as hot favourites, after their run to the last 16 in the 2017 Draft World Cup installed them as the highest-ranked side in Africa. They got here after a 6-2 aggregate win over Malawi, although they drew the first leg 2-2. Gabon got here with no drama, a 5-0 aggregate win over Burkina Faso will have given them a lot of confidence. Algeria are surprisingly low-ranked and could be dangerous, although a 4-2 aggregate win over Cape Verde wasn’t that inspiring. Sierra Leone, meanwhile, had to start in Round 1 of qualifying, where they beat Swaziland before shocking Ivory Coast with a 3-2 aggregate win. Will they provide more upsets here?
Well, Sierra Leone certainly don’t start with an upset, as they lose 3-0 away to Gabon. Had the hosts not missed two penalties, it could have been even worse. Meanwhile, a brace from Khama Billiat saw South Africa get underway with a 3-1 win over Algeria at home.
Next up Algeria and Gabon contested a bad-tempered clash, with both sides reduced to 10 men going into the final stages. In the 92nd minute, with the match scoreless, a corner was cleared as far as Algeria’s Saad Tedjar, who lamped it into the top corner to earn his side’s first win. South Africa struggled away to Sierra Leone, but Billiat’s penalty was enough to earn them a 1-0 victory.
Sierra Leone continued to remain point-less as they lost 2-0 away to Algeria, whilst South Africa’s 0-0 draw against Gabon saw their lead cut to 1 point.
Which you can see here, on the halfway table:
The next match sees South Africa visit Algeria, with the hosts presented with a key chance to overtake their opponents and move into the qualification spot. However, Teko Modise’s free kick gave South Africa the lead in the 3rd minute, and despite general South African domination, the match finished 1-0. This meant that Gabon’s 3-1 win over Sierra Leone moved them into second – although Bamba’s own goal in this game did give Sierra Leone their first goal of the round.
Once again the clash between Gabon and Algeria was defined by indiscipline. Coulibaly’s lazy tackle allowed Algeria to lead from the spot. Algeria then lost Ziti to a red card, and in added time Algeria's Khoualed was penalised in the box. Stephane N’Guema held his nerve to put the penalty away. The 1-1 draw meant South Africa could secure their qualification against Sierra Leone, but Alusine Pagal’s tap-in gave the visitors a half-time lead. South Africa pushed and pushed, and eventually found the breakthrough when Billiat’s perfect cross found Victor Obinna who fired home. South Africa were soon ahead through Thulani Hlatshwayo, and eventually ran out 3-1 winners to progress to the DWC finals.
So here is the table going into the final round of games:
So here is the table going into the final round of games:
So South Africa are through, whilst Sierra Leone are obviously eliminated. Algeria are arguably favourites to finish second as their final game is against Sierra Leone, but as they can’t match Ghana’s tally, they too are eliminated. Gabon need a 2-goal win over South Africa to match Ghana’s record, which seems unlikely but not impossible.
Sierra Leone vs. Algeria
Will this match’s status as a dead rubber give Sierra Leone a chance to get their first points of the round? Alas, no, as Algeria comfortably cruise to a 4-0 win, with a hat-trick for Mohamed Messaoud.
Sierra Leone vs. Algeria
Will this match’s status as a dead rubber give Sierra Leone a chance to get their first points of the round? Alas, no, as Algeria comfortably cruise to a 4-0 win, with a hat-trick for Mohamed Messaoud.
Gabon vs. South Africa
It’s hard to see South Africa suffer their first defeat, but they were held to a draw by Gabon at home. A two-goal Gabonese win is required for the hosts to move into the Intercontinental play-off spot, and it would be a very impressive result if they achieve it.
Gabon are missing Kessany through suspension, so Moubamba comes in. Despite their dominance of the group, South Africa have a couple of under-performing players, and so 2017 heroes Matlaba and Nxumalo are replaced by Boateng and Majoro.
It’s hard to see South Africa suffer their first defeat, but they were held to a draw by Gabon at home. A two-goal Gabonese win is required for the hosts to move into the Intercontinental play-off spot, and it would be a very impressive result if they achieve it.
Gabon are missing Kessany through suspension, so Moubamba comes in. Despite their dominance of the group, South Africa have a couple of under-performing players, and so 2017 heroes Matlaba and Nxumalo are replaced by Boateng and Majoro.
It takes under six minutes for South Africa to lead, as Gabon allow them to play head tennis in the box following a corner, the ball eventually coming to Hlopho Kekana to smash home. However, Gabon are competing well, and Ibrahim should have levelled when put through, but his shot is blocked by Khune. We reach the break with no more real chances.
Billiat has been a bit poor so far, but he nearly doubles South Africa’s lead as he runs onto a goal kick, striking a shot against the post from a tight angle. As Gabon change to a 4-2-4, looking for the goals they need, South Africa find more space and effectively kill off Gabon’s hopes when Themba Zwane hits home after finding space at a throw-in. Hamidou Sinayoko’s volley is narrowly wide as Gabon continue to waste the chances they do create. However, they finally get one back when Sinayoko is put through again, and this time keeps his cool to slot it beyond Khune. However, despite five minutes of added time, they cannot force any more goals and South Africa get their fifth win out of six.
Billiat has been a bit poor so far, but he nearly doubles South Africa’s lead as he runs onto a goal kick, striking a shot against the post from a tight angle. As Gabon change to a 4-2-4, looking for the goals they need, South Africa find more space and effectively kill off Gabon’s hopes when Themba Zwane hits home after finding space at a throw-in. Hamidou Sinayoko’s volley is narrowly wide as Gabon continue to waste the chances they do create. However, they finally get one back when Sinayoko is put through again, and this time keeps his cool to slot it beyond Khune. However, despite five minutes of added time, they cannot force any more goals and South Africa get their fifth win out of six.
Final standings
Top scorer: Mohamed Messaoud (ALG) 4 goals
Highest average rating: Mohamed Messaoud (ALG) 7.23
Next time
Had Algeria not conceded that late, late equaliser against Gabon, they would have overtaken Ghana in the race to contest the Intercontinental play-off for Africa. As it is, Ghana survive. South Africa continue to impress, and will likely carry a high world ranking when the DWC finals kick off. Next time we see the conclusion to Asia’s second round of qualifying, meaning that two more teams will qualify for the finals.
Highest average rating: Mohamed Messaoud (ALG) 7.23
Next time
Had Algeria not conceded that late, late equaliser against Gabon, they would have overtaken Ghana in the race to contest the Intercontinental play-off for Africa. As it is, Ghana survive. South Africa continue to impress, and will likely carry a high world ranking when the DWC finals kick off. Next time we see the conclusion to Asia’s second round of qualifying, meaning that two more teams will qualify for the finals.