The opening weekend of the group phase of the 2015 Orange Africa Nations Cup qualifiers got underway with lots of shocking results. Nigeria ...
The opening weekend of the group phase of the 2015 Orange Africa Nations Cup qualifiers got underway with lots of shocking results.
Nigeria were stunned in Calabar by Congo Brazzaville, Cameroon won away to DR Congo, Ghana needed a dubious penalty to secure a draw against Uganda while Egypt lost to Senegal.
WB reviews games played in each group with summarized match reports.
Group A: Sudan 0-3 South Africa & Nigeria 2-3 Congo Brazzaville
1996 Africa champions South Africa earned a flying start in their Road to Morocco with a 3-0 away victory against Sudanat the El Merriekh stadium. Sibusiso Vilakazi netted a double before Ndulula put the icing on the cake with a third strike for the Bafana Bafana who now lead group A.
In Calabar, defending champions Nigeriawere stunned with a 3-2 defeat by Congo. Efe Ambrose and Gbolahan Salami scored for The Super Eagles but their efforts were not enough as strikes from Prince Oniangue and Thiery Bifouna who netted a brace secured victory for the Red Devils.
Group B: Ethiopia 1-2 Algeria & Mali 2-0 Malawi.
Yaccine Brahim scored and assisted once as Algeria beat Ethiopia 2-1 in Addis Ababba. Soudani opened the scoring for the Desert Foxes in the 34th minute before Brahim netted a second in the 84th minute.
Saladin Saidscored Ethiopia’s consolation from the spot in the closing stages of the game.
Meanhwile, Malisurvived the sending-off of goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa to defeat Malawi 2-0 on Sunday in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B qualifier in Bamako.
Group C: Burkina Faso 2-0 Lesotho& Gabon 1-0 Angola
2013 AFCON silver medalists Burkina Faso started brightly with a 2-0 win over Lesotho. Jonathan Pitroipaand Alain Traore netted for the home side.
In the other game, Gabon edged Angola1-0 thanks to Levy Madinda’s lone strike at the death of half time.
Group D: Cote d’Ivoire 2– 1Sierra Leone & DR Congo 0-2 Cameroon
Cote D’Ivoirecame from behind to claim a 2-1 win over Sierra Leoneat the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Saturday in Abidjan.
Kei Kamara gave the visitors a 10th minute lead before the home team replied with goals from Seydou Doumbia and Gervinho in a space of two minutes (64th & 66th respectively) earned the Elephants a deserved win.
Earlier in the group, The Indomitable Lions of Cameroonbegan life without ex-skipper Samuel Eto’o with a 2-0 away victory to DR Congo at TP Mazembe stadium.
Clinton Njieand Vincent Aboubaker netted in each half for Cameroon who now lead the group on goal difference.
Next games in the group will see Cameroon host Cote d’Ivoire while Sierra Leone play DR Congo in Lubumbashi.
Group E: Guinea 2-1 Togo & Ghana 1-1 Uganda
Ghana earned a hard fought draw against Ugandathanks to a dubious penalty converted by Andre Ayew in the 55th minute to ensure the game at the Baba Yara stadium ended in a 1-1 draw.
Tonny Mawejje had given The Cranes a half time lead with a beauty of a strike.
On Friday, Guinea were 2-1 winners over Togo in the same group.
Group F: Zambia 0-0 Mozambique & Niger 1-3 Cape Verde
Highly rated Zambia’s Chipolopolo were held to a barren draw at home by Mozambique Black Mambas.
However, Cape Verdewere 3-1 winners away to Niger in Niamey setting the pace in the group.
Spanish based midfielder Garry Rodrigues put The Blue Sharks ahead in the 3rd minute while Odair Fortes ensured the visitors took a 2-0 half time break before Ze Luis made it 3-0 in the 55th minute.
Veteran Niger striker Moussa Maazou gave the score line some respectability in the 34th minute, but the damage was already done.
Group G: Senegal 2-0 Egypt & Tunisia 2-1 Botswana
In Tunisia, the Carthage Eagles needed a late surge to beat visiting Zebras of Botswana 2-1. Joel Mogorosi fired the Zebras into the lead at the death of half time before goals from Khazri and Yassine Chikhaouiwon it for Tunisia.
Senegal who beat Egypt 2-0 thanks to strikes from Mame Birame Diouf and Sadio Mane in the first group game sit top while Tunisia lie second but only on goal difference.
Games resume with fixtures on Wednesday September 10.