TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG – AFRICA’S big guns have experienced mixed fortunes as the qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup Russia kicked off this past weekend.
Second half goals by Aymen Abdennour and Anis Ben-Hatira inspired hosts Tunisia to a 2-0 win over Guinea in their Group A clash at the Stade Mustapha Ben Jannet in Monastir on Sunday.
The Carthage Eagles struggled initially against the West Africans but their form and experience saw them through.
They are second despite the victory after DR Congo beat Libya 4-0 in the other Group A match.
Striker Dieumerci Mbokani scored a brace while Jonathan Bolingi and Firmin Mubele chipped in with one apiece at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa.
Across the border at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Nigeria continued their dominance over Southern African opponents with a 2-1 win over hosts Zambia in Group B.
English Premiership stars Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho, scored in the first half for the Super Eagles while evergreen Collins Mbesuma netted the solitary goal for the Zambians.
In the other group match, Cameroon, the first African team to reach the quarterfinals (at Italia ’90), had to come from behind to snatch a one-all draw against brazil 20 Second Round qualifiers, Algeria.
Algeria’s El Arabi Soudani scored early for the hosts in Blida but the Indomitable Lions equalised through captain Benjamin Mounkandjo in the 24th minute.
Reigning African champions Ivory Coast’s Elephants began life without inspirational captain Yaya Toure with a 3-1 trampling on West African foes Mali in Bouake to top Group C.
Aiming for a fourth successive appearance at the World Cup, Ivory Coast scored through Jonathan Kodjia, an own goal by Salif Coulibaly and captain Gervinho.
They had received a scare from Mali’s Eagles who found the opener had found the opener through Sambou Yatabare.
Gabon and Morocco drew 0-0 at the Franceville Stadium in Gabon in the other match.
At the Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor in Dakar, Senegal, the hosts maintained their purple patch with a 2-0 win over Cape Verde in Group D.
The 2002 quarterfinalists secured victory thanks to goals by Keita Balde and Moussa Sow.
The win sends the Teranga Lions to the summit of Group D following Burkina Faso and South Africa’s 1-1 draw in Ouagadougou also on Saturday.
Seven-time African champions Egypt top Group E after a 2-1 win over Congo on Sunday away in Kintele.
The Pharaohs netted through Mohamed Salah and Abdallah Saied. The Red Devils got their consolation from Feredory Dore.
Hosts Ghana, quarter-finalists at South Africa 2010, suffered a setback with a goalless draw at home to in-form Uganda, still reveling at qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations 2017 for the first time in 38 years.
– Guardian
