2012 Afcon qualifying round-up: Sudan downs Congo, Morocco unscathed in Bangui, Chipolopolo overtake Libya

Posted Monday, September 05, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Angola 2–0 Uganda

The Palancas Negras had no choice but to win today if they were to conserve their chances of possibly finishing first in Group J by gaining ground on their Ugandan opponents who came into the match in pole position.

After a first half devoid of goals, the Angolans finally hit the back of the net through none other than Manucho in minute 57. A second finish from the irrepressible Flavio Amado padded the lead and gave Lito Vidigal’s men what could prove to be a highly significant win should they emerge trimphant in Guinea-Bissau and see Kenya hold the Cranes in Kampala on the final day.

Congo 0–1 Sudan

The home team came into this match with nothing but pride to play for while the visitors from the north of the continent needed to avoid defeat at all cost in order to stay within touching distance of Group I leaders Ghana who had beaten Swaziland the day before and taken a three point lead on Mohamed Abdalla’s squad.

The game looked to be headed for a goalless draw when Sudan’s Bakri Almadina popped up to score one of the most important goals of his career to pull his country level on points with the Black Stars.

Now the “Falcons of Jediane” are facing another must-win in their final fixture, but this time they will be benefitting from massive local support in Khartoum when they take on Ghana in a match that will determine who qualifies.

Central African Republic 0–0 Morocco

The two Group D leaders came into this crunch qualifier tied on seven points, with Morocco edging the locals thanks to a superior goal difference. A win from either would have assured a first place finish and automatic qualification to Afcon 2012.

Eric Gerets’ men came out swinging in the first half, dominating possession and creating multiple opportunities that they couldn’t put away, with Youssef El-Arabi proving the main culprit in squandering valuable chances. “Les Fauves” were relying on their trademark counter-attacks and one of them nearly paid dividends near the end of the first half if not for an excellent stop from Nadir Lamyaghri.

The same dynamic prevailed in the second half, with the Atlas Lions pushing the tempo and conserving the ball and the Central Africa Republic players doing their utmost to find an quick breakthrough once they made an interception.

Morocco had to endure some nervy closing moments as the hosts threw caution to the wind in the late going but it was the north Africans who conserved took a big step towards qualifying today by coming out of Bangui unscathed.

Burundi 1–1 Benin

After Cote D’Ivoire smashed five past Rwanda yesterday and assured themselves of an impressive top finish, it was Burundi and Benin’s turn to keep their chances of finishing as one of the two top runners-up that will also qualify for the 2012 Afcon alive.

The first half finished goalless at Bujumbura’s Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium but a second half goal on 55 minutes from Benin’s Guy Akpagba gave the Squirrels a lead that they would eventually relinquish to a late goal from Papy Faty.

Dropping full points in the final stages of the encounter was a huge disappointment for Denis Goavec’s side who could have overtaken their opponents for second place in the group and maintained their chances of possibly qualifying for the 2012 Afcon as a best second-placer. Now neither Burundi nor Benin are likely to make it to the continental showpiece.

Zimbabwe 3–0 Liberia

This fixture at the Rufaro Stadium in Harare was a must win for both sides given that only a full three points would allow the opponents any chance of catching up with Group A leaders Mali on the final day of qualifying.

Ajax Cape Town midfielder Willard Katsande answered the call for his country early in the first half when he found the opener against the Lone Stars to the delight of the home fans and Ovidy Karuru doubled their pleasure just before the end of the period with a goal of his own to put the Zimbabweans in full control.

A third goal from Khama Billiat in the closing stages sealed the result for the Warriors who now move into second place in their group and must defeat Cape Verde in Praia and hope for a favor from Liberia against the west African leaders.

The Chipolopolo came into this match against Comoros at the Said Mohamed Cheikh Stadium in Mitsamiouli with the full knowledge that a win would see them draw level with Libya in first place ahead of their final qualifier against the north Africans in Lusaka.

Despite playing away, it only took Dario Bonetti’s team 23 minutes to open the scoring through Christopher Katongo. However, Comoros would fight back and obtain an equaliser to ensure parity in the first half.

The 1-1 score held for almost the entire second period but just as it seemed that the visitors would have to share the points, Zambia’s Emmanuel Mayuka got the go-ahead goal in minute 87 to give his side a huge boost ahead of their final showdown with a re-energized Libya come early October. Katongo and company now just need a draw or a win in their final qualifier to book their tickets for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Sunday September 4 results

Angola 2–0 Uganda

Congo 0–1 Sudan

Central African Republic 0–0 Morocco

Burundi 1–1 Benin

Zimbabwe 2–0 Liberia

Comoros 1–2 Zambia