We're getting towards the business end of qualification now. In Africa, we're about to see who the fourth team to qualify for the Draft World Cup finals will be.
In Group D, Algeria are the top seeds and fairly strong favourites to qualify. However, this could be quite an open group, as Cameroon are much-improved from previous DWC campaigns, and Sudan have been close to qualification before. These groups are fairly short, and therefore mistakes are heavily punished, so how will it go?
Matchday 1
The group started off with the top two seeds meeting. Sudan went ahead through Ramadan Kreen El Agab, but Algeria's aerial bombardment saw them storm to a 4-2 win. Elsewhere, Uganda and Cameroon traded goals, before Uganda's Boban Bogere grabbed a late winner.
Matchday 1
The group started off with the top two seeds meeting. Sudan went ahead through Ramadan Kreen El Agab, but Algeria's aerial bombardment saw them storm to a 4-2 win. Elsewhere, Uganda and Cameroon traded goals, before Uganda's Boban Bogere grabbed a late winner.
Matchday 2
It looked like Algeria might pull off a comeback win as they came from behind to level with Cameroon, but it was Cameroon who came up with a winner as Joel Babanda surged through and powered a shot into the top corner. The other game, between Sudan and Uganda, was a scrappy affair, and the winning goal reflected that, as Uganda's players couldn't clear the ball from their own goalline, allowing Omar Bakheet to force the ball over the line. Sudan's win meant that all four teams were on 3 points.
It looked like Algeria might pull off a comeback win as they came from behind to level with Cameroon, but it was Cameroon who came up with a winner as Joel Babanda surged through and powered a shot into the top corner. The other game, between Sudan and Uganda, was a scrappy affair, and the winning goal reflected that, as Uganda's players couldn't clear the ball from their own goalline, allowing Omar Bakheet to force the ball over the line. Sudan's win meant that all four teams were on 3 points.
Matchday 3
Algeria recovered as Yannis Tafer's brace saw off Uganda 2-0, whilst Cameroon beat Sudan 1-0 thanks to a Aboubakar Oumarou penalty.
Algeria recovered as Yannis Tafer's brace saw off Uganda 2-0, whilst Cameroon beat Sudan 1-0 thanks to a Aboubakar Oumarou penalty.
So here is the table halfway in:
Needless to say, the teams (points-wise) are only separated by the results in the previous round of games. Algeria certainly don't look certain to qualify, even if they are leading as expected.
Matchday 4
Olivier Boumal notched three assists in the first 32 minutes against Uganda, and had a hand in another as Cameroon went 4-0 up. Khalid Aucho's spectacular goal got one back, but in the second half Pierre Webó completed a hat trick as Cameroon won 7-1, to pile the pressure on Algeria. Sudan had the chance to take the lead as they faced Algeria, but Solomon Jabason missed from the spot. 3 minutes later, and Algeria's Tafer had scored a penalty of his own to really punish the miss. Algeria looked set for 3 points until added time, when a hilarious defensive mix-up lead to El Agab being presented with the ball 2 yards from goal, allowing him to earn Sudan a 1-1 draw and establish Cameroon as the group leaders.
Matchday 4
Olivier Boumal notched three assists in the first 32 minutes against Uganda, and had a hand in another as Cameroon went 4-0 up. Khalid Aucho's spectacular goal got one back, but in the second half Pierre Webó completed a hat trick as Cameroon won 7-1, to pile the pressure on Algeria. Sudan had the chance to take the lead as they faced Algeria, but Solomon Jabason missed from the spot. 3 minutes later, and Algeria's Tafer had scored a penalty of his own to really punish the miss. Algeria looked set for 3 points until added time, when a hilarious defensive mix-up lead to El Agab being presented with the ball 2 yards from goal, allowing him to earn Sudan a 1-1 draw and establish Cameroon as the group leaders.
Matchday 5
That late goal had kept Sudan in contention for at least a play-off spot, but they squandered the opportunity as they fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Uganda. Meanwhile, Algeria hosted Cameroon needing a win to go back top of the table. Despite having 19 shots to Cameroon's 4, Algeria couldn't find a way through, with a 0-0 draw putting Cameroon one step closer to a maiden DWC finals.
So, with one game to go, this is the table:
That late goal had kept Sudan in contention for at least a play-off spot, but they squandered the opportunity as they fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Uganda. Meanwhile, Algeria hosted Cameroon needing a win to go back top of the table. Despite having 19 shots to Cameroon's 4, Algeria couldn't find a way through, with a 0-0 draw putting Cameroon one step closer to a maiden DWC finals.
So, with one game to go, this is the table:
Sudan are thus out of it, whilst Uganda have some hope. Cameroon will secure qualification if they beat Sudan. If they draw, then Algeria need to beat Uganda by 4 goals to get through. Uganda have to beat Algeria to get into the play-offs.
Matchday 6
Algeria scored twice in the first 8 minutes against Uganda to pile the pressure on Cameroon. However, they faded away after that. They still won 2-0, but it meant that the equation was that Cameroon just had to avoid defeat to Uganda. They struggled somewhat, and eventually fell behind in the 81st minute, and slipped to a 1-0 defeat. Which means that somehow Algeria have qualified!
Matchday 6
Algeria scored twice in the first 8 minutes against Uganda to pile the pressure on Cameroon. However, they faded away after that. They still won 2-0, but it meant that the equation was that Cameroon just had to avoid defeat to Uganda. They struggled somewhat, and eventually fell behind in the 81st minute, and slipped to a 1-0 defeat. Which means that somehow Algeria have qualified!
This is the final table:
Algeria make their first DWC finals! Cameroon can consider themselves very unlucky. They nearly completed the journey from the first round of qualifying all the way to the DWC finals, but fell by a single goal. They now face the daunting prospect of trying to get through the African play-offs, then the Intercontinental play-offs.
Our next episode is back in Europe, where Spain are the top seeds.
Our next episode is back in Europe, where Spain are the top seeds.