Whew... we're now getting near the end of DWC qualifying, as we go into the final episode covering regular African qualifying. This is how it's gone so far:
There will still be the African play-off after this, where the five 2nd-placed teams (highlighted in yellow above) will vie for a place in the Intercontinental Play-Off, but today is the last guaranteed place in the DWC finals for an African team.
Today's group sees Egypt as the strong favourites, looking to join fellow North African sides Tunisia and Algeria in the finals. However, like Egypt, Ghana have been at a DWC before, and so can't be considered pushovers. Zimbabwe have yet to get particularly close to qualifying thus far, whilst Equatorial Guinea are a surprise team to even get this far. Can they keep it going?
Matchday 1
Egypt went 3-0 up on Zimbabwe, with all three goals coming from corners, with Abdoulaye Cissé and Amor Layouni involved in them all. In stoppage time Cissé grabbed another to complete his hat-trick and Egypt's 4-0 win. Ghana overcame Equatorial Guinea 1-0, with the goal here also coming from a set piece; Joseph Baffo tucking away the rebound to his own shot following a free kick.
Matchday 2
Ghana's Sulley Muntari kept true to character as he picked up a red card against Zimbabwe. However, within a minute Nathaniel Asamoah had put Ghana ahead. But just after the break Baffo went from hero to villain as he gave the ball away cheaply to allow Edward Sadomba to equalise. The game finished 1-1, and there was also a draw in Bata, as Equatorial Guinea held on for a 0-0 against Egypt.
Today's group sees Egypt as the strong favourites, looking to join fellow North African sides Tunisia and Algeria in the finals. However, like Egypt, Ghana have been at a DWC before, and so can't be considered pushovers. Zimbabwe have yet to get particularly close to qualifying thus far, whilst Equatorial Guinea are a surprise team to even get this far. Can they keep it going?
Matchday 1
Egypt went 3-0 up on Zimbabwe, with all three goals coming from corners, with Abdoulaye Cissé and Amor Layouni involved in them all. In stoppage time Cissé grabbed another to complete his hat-trick and Egypt's 4-0 win. Ghana overcame Equatorial Guinea 1-0, with the goal here also coming from a set piece; Joseph Baffo tucking away the rebound to his own shot following a free kick.
Matchday 2
Ghana's Sulley Muntari kept true to character as he picked up a red card against Zimbabwe. However, within a minute Nathaniel Asamoah had put Ghana ahead. But just after the break Baffo went from hero to villain as he gave the ball away cheaply to allow Edward Sadomba to equalise. The game finished 1-1, and there was also a draw in Bata, as Equatorial Guinea held on for a 0-0 against Egypt.
Matchday 3
The top two met, and a very even game was decided by a single goal in Egypt's favour. It was put away by Cissé, but came after a ludicrous goalmouth scramble. Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea fought back to draw 1-1 with Zimbabwe.
So this is the table:
The top two met, and a very even game was decided by a single goal in Egypt's favour. It was put away by Cissé, but came after a ludicrous goalmouth scramble. Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea fought back to draw 1-1 with Zimbabwe.
So this is the table:
Egypt's win puts them in command of this group, whilst Ghana aren't particularly safe in 2nd. But generally, this group is progressing as expected.
Matchday 4
Ghana beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 for a second time, Asamoah scoring from range. Speaking of prolific strikers, Cissé netted again for Egypt against Zimbabwe, but this time they couldn't go on to win, as Sadomba equalised for Zimbabwe's third successive 1-1 draw.
Matchday 4
Ghana beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 for a second time, Asamoah scoring from range. Speaking of prolific strikers, Cissé netted again for Egypt against Zimbabwe, but this time they couldn't go on to win, as Sadomba equalised for Zimbabwe's third successive 1-1 draw.
Matchday 5
They made it four in a row against Ghana, as Asamoah cancelled out Denver Mukamba's 2nd-minute volley. Meanwhile, Layouni got both goals as Egypt beat Equatorial Guinea to move very close to qualification.
They made it four in a row against Ghana, as Asamoah cancelled out Denver Mukamba's 2nd-minute volley. Meanwhile, Layouni got both goals as Egypt beat Equatorial Guinea to move very close to qualification.
Here's the table with one game to go:
Despite being unbeaten since the opening day, Zimbabwe cannot go through. Ghana can draw level on points with Egypt if they beat them in their final game, but they would need to win by 4 to take top spot.
Matchday 6
Ghana had little choice but to come out with guns blazing against Egypt. Emmanuel Oti Essigba gave them hope with an early rebound goal, and Isaac Vorsah made it two from a corner. Oti Essigba caused real panic for Egypt as he scored a second rebound, but it was in added time, and Egypt held on to scrape through on the narrowest of margins - goals scored. Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea's Danny Quendambú took advantage of a bad backpass to grab the lead against Zimbabwe, and he added a second with a superb long effort to seal a 2-0 victory.
Matchday 6
Ghana had little choice but to come out with guns blazing against Egypt. Emmanuel Oti Essigba gave them hope with an early rebound goal, and Isaac Vorsah made it two from a corner. Oti Essigba caused real panic for Egypt as he scored a second rebound, but it was in added time, and Egypt held on to scrape through on the narrowest of margins - goals scored. Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea's Danny Quendambú took advantage of a bad backpass to grab the lead against Zimbabwe, and he added a second with a superb long effort to seal a 2-0 victory.
Final table:
Egypt can consider themselves very lucky. Ghana, meanwhile, did get into the DWC in 2018 through the Intercontinental Play-Off, so they will have some hope, but it looks very difficult for them now. They go into the African play-off with Gabon, South Africa, Kenya and Cameroon.
Next time, we find out which two Asian sides will get through from the remaining group there.
Next time, we find out which two Asian sides will get through from the remaining group there.