It's play-off season! This is the first of four play-off episodes. This one and the next will determine who makes the Intercontinental play-off. The five teams that finished second in their group in African qualifying have a last chance of qualification:
South Africa are the stand-out favourites, ever-presents at DWC finals with two second round appearances to their name. However, they slipped up to finish behind Ivory Coast. Ghana also have DWC experience, and they only missed out in their group due to goal difference. Like Ghana, Gabon were second seeds in their group, who made it through. Meanwhile Kenya and Cameroon both started life in the first round of qualifying, and nearly made it automatically through to the finals. Can they keep that dream alive?
Matchday 1
The two sides from Round 1 met, and Kenya's Jockins Atudo's own goal cancelled out his teammates Dennis Oliech's goal in a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, the two former DWC qualifiers met. After a goal apiece Sibusiso Vilakazi fired in a long-range free kick to give South Africa the lead with just 3 minutes to go. However, they only held out for 2 of those, before Issifu Maman's half-volley earned Ghana a 2-2 draw.
Matchday 1
The two sides from Round 1 met, and Kenya's Jockins Atudo's own goal cancelled out his teammates Dennis Oliech's goal in a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, the two former DWC qualifiers met. After a goal apiece Sibusiso Vilakazi fired in a long-range free kick to give South Africa the lead with just 3 minutes to go. However, they only held out for 2 of those, before Issifu Maman's half-volley earned Ghana a 2-2 draw.
Matchday 2
Two draws in the opening games was probably good news for Gabon, who started their group with a trip to Kenya. Benjamin Zé Ondo's header was enough to earn a 1-0 win, the first of the group, and it remained the only win as Cameroon withstood a South African onslaught to draw 0-0.
Matchday 3
Gabon were brought back to earth with a bump as they lost 3-0 at home to South Africa. Meanwhile, Nathaniel Asamoah's 5th-minute goal for Ghana against Cameroon was the only goal of the game.
Two draws in the opening games was probably good news for Gabon, who started their group with a trip to Kenya. Benjamin Zé Ondo's header was enough to earn a 1-0 win, the first of the group, and it remained the only win as Cameroon withstood a South African onslaught to draw 0-0.
Matchday 3
Gabon were brought back to earth with a bump as they lost 3-0 at home to South Africa. Meanwhile, Nathaniel Asamoah's 5th-minute goal for Ghana against Cameroon was the only goal of the game.
Matchday 4
Two goals from Kermit Erasmus and a stunner from Hlompho Kekana saw South Africa come from behind to beat Kenya 3-1. Meanwhile, Ghana and Gabon played out a tame 0-0 draw.
Two goals from Kermit Erasmus and a stunner from Hlompho Kekana saw South Africa come from behind to beat Kenya 3-1. Meanwhile, Ghana and Gabon played out a tame 0-0 draw.
Matchday 5
Ghana started well against Kenya, going two up. Kenya pulled one back, but a sumptuous long-range strike from Sulley Muntari (yes, Sulley Muntari) saw Ghana through 3-1 winners. In the other game, Cameroon got their first win of the group by beating Gabon 2-1.
Ghana started well against Kenya, going two up. Kenya pulled one back, but a sumptuous long-range strike from Sulley Muntari (yes, Sulley Muntari) saw Ghana through 3-1 winners. In the other game, Cameroon got their first win of the group by beating Gabon 2-1.
Halfway:
It looks to be a two-horse race, although Cameroon and Gabon aren't out of it.
Matchday 6
This might be the big moment, as South Africa host Ghana. Unsurprisingly, this was a very tense match. In the 68th minute Ghana were awarded a penalty for a handball by Themba Zwane. Ibrahim Moro was the brave player to step up... and scored! Ghana held on for a 1-0 win that sends them 3 points clear. Meanwhile, Kenya got their first win as they overcame Cameroon 2-0.
Matchday 6
This might be the big moment, as South Africa host Ghana. Unsurprisingly, this was a very tense match. In the 68th minute Ghana were awarded a penalty for a handball by Themba Zwane. Ibrahim Moro was the brave player to step up... and scored! Ghana held on for a 1-0 win that sends them 3 points clear. Meanwhile, Kenya got their first win as they overcame Cameroon 2-0.
Matchday 7
South Africa regained their momentum as they battled to a 1-0 win away to Kenya. Meanwhile, an Abbe Ibrahim hat trick saw Gabon stay in the qualification hunt as they beat Cameroon 3-0.
Matchday 8
Ghana fell two behind early on away to Cameroon with two goals in three minutes. Whilst they got one back, they couldn't prevent a 2-1 defeat. This opened the door for South Africa and Gabon as they faced each other; whoever won would go level with Ghana (counting a game in hand as 3 points). Jerry Obiang put Gabon into an 8th-minute lead, and they saw it through to take a huge 1-0 victory. The favourites are in a lot of trouble now...
South Africa regained their momentum as they battled to a 1-0 win away to Kenya. Meanwhile, an Abbe Ibrahim hat trick saw Gabon stay in the qualification hunt as they beat Cameroon 3-0.
Matchday 8
Ghana fell two behind early on away to Cameroon with two goals in three minutes. Whilst they got one back, they couldn't prevent a 2-1 defeat. This opened the door for South Africa and Gabon as they faced each other; whoever won would go level with Ghana (counting a game in hand as 3 points). Jerry Obiang put Gabon into an 8th-minute lead, and they saw it through to take a huge 1-0 victory. The favourites are in a lot of trouble now...
Matchday 9
Erasmus notched a hat trick as South Africa kept alive with a 3-1 win over Kenya. Meanwhile, Gabon hosted Ghana. Cédric Moubamba's powerful shot gave Gabon an early lead, and it was doubled by Ibrahim, and the match finished 2-0.
Erasmus notched a hat trick as South Africa kept alive with a 3-1 win over Kenya. Meanwhile, Gabon hosted Ghana. Cédric Moubamba's powerful shot gave Gabon an early lead, and it was doubled by Ibrahim, and the match finished 2-0.
With one game to go, this is the table:
Any of the top three can still qualify. Gabon will go through if they beat Cameroon away. If they don't win, then Ghana can do it, but they would have to win their home clash with Kenya by 5 clear goals. If neither of the above happen, South Africa go through (somehow)...
Matchday 10
Ghana were very attacking, as they had to be, against Kenya, but could only muster a 2-1 victory. So it came down to whether Gabon could overcome Cameroon. They fell behind to Aboubakar Oumarou's solo goal. There was a lifeline in the second half as Merlin Tandjigora produced a magical (sorry) volley to level. However, Gabon just couldn't put Cameroon under any pressure, and a 1-1 draw means that somehow South Africa have qualified!
Matchday 10
Ghana were very attacking, as they had to be, against Kenya, but could only muster a 2-1 victory. So it came down to whether Gabon could overcome Cameroon. They fell behind to Aboubakar Oumarou's solo goal. There was a lifeline in the second half as Merlin Tandjigora produced a magical (sorry) volley to level. However, Gabon just couldn't put Cameroon under any pressure, and a 1-1 draw means that somehow South Africa have qualified!
Confirmation of the final table:
Wow. That was close! So, South Africa join Honduras, Bolivia and Poland in the Intercontinental play-off.
Next time we find out the final two teams to make the ICPO, as we see the play-offs in Asia and Oceania.
Next time we find out the final two teams to make the ICPO, as we see the play-offs in Asia and Oceania.