Cameroon falls, Egypt is a hit, Cape Verde is getting closer…

Four matches counting for the 4^e day of the CAN 2023 qualifiers took place this Tuesday at the start of the afternoon. If Egypt, Cape Verde and Equatorial Guinea took a big step towards qualification, Cameroon, on the other hand, fell from above.

Already disappointing on Friday at home in the first leg (1-1), the Cameroonians lost to Namibia (2-1) after a poor performance despite Aboubakar’s return from suspension. Incessant faults, long balls, walking players… Under the eyes of Samuel Eto’o, who had traveled to Soweto to attend the match, we have long witnessed a soporific game. Before the break, served on a beautiful inspiration from Anguissa, Mbeumo could have found the fault but he sent his shot too soft on the opposing goalkeeper. Returning from the locker room, it was the Brave Warriors who showed themselves to be the most enterprising, they were rewarded when the inevitable Shalulile victoriously took back a shot from Katua repelled by Epassy (1-0, 55^e).

Faced with a confident opponent, the reaction of the Indomitable Lions proved to be much too timid, like these off-target shots from Aboubakar then Ganago. Decidedly not in their match, the Cameroonians were close to the correctional on a loss of ball, before ending up sinking on a free kick from Iimbondi, well helped by the Cameroonian wall, which disintegrated following a jump from Aboubakar (2- 0.79^e). The goal of the Besiktas striker on a cross from Castelletto was then much too late to hope to turn the tide (1-2, 90^e+1). Doubled by their adversary at the head of the group, the men of Rigobert Song will play their destiny in September during a match against Burundi.

???? The wall of Cameroon which completely dissolves on the free kick of the second goal of Namibia. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/U0VnkikDys

— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) March 28, 2023

Equatorial Guinea overtakes Tunisia

On the other hand, everything is going well for Egypt, which went 4-0 away against Malawi (4-0) and confirmed that its complicated start was behind it. Tarek Hamed opened the scoring with a missile following a withdrawal from Salah (4^e). Then Omar Marmoush (16^e), Salah after a one-two with Mostafa Mohamed (20^e), and Zizo on an action initiated by the Red (49^e) drove the point home. The Pharaohs thus regain control of group D, tied with the Guinea and with 6 points ahead of the Malawi-Ethiopia duo. With 2 days to go, in other words, the case is almost over in this group…

BUUUT MOHAMED IS WRONG! ????????????

Mohamed Salah finds a super inspired Mostafa Mohamed who puts him back in his race to finish with a low shot. ⚽️????#TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 pic.twitter.com/5yOicAQW04

— Onze Masr (@onzemasr) March 28, 2023

Good operation also for Cape Verde. Four days after being held in check at home by Eswatini (0-0), the Requins Bleus won 1-0 away against the same opponent on a goal from former Lille player Ryan Mendes (56^e) and thanks to a penalty save from their goalkeeper Vozinha. This success allows them to temporarily take a 5-point lead over their opponent, 3rd while waiting for Togo-Burkina Faso in the evening. Big blow also for Equatorial Guinea, victorious 3-2 in Botswana and which temporarily takes control of group J ahead of Tunisia.

The compositions

???? OFFICIAL!

Here is the 11 incoming from Cameroon this afternoon against Namibia.

Aboubakar in attack with Ganago, Etta Bakwa right back. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/wnvYVpFvPZ

— ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????? (@JoueursCMR) March 28, 2023

Rui Vitória’s Egypt XI against Malawi on behalf of the 4th day of qualifying for CAN 2023! ????????????????

YALLA DANCE OF REGALA ????????#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023Q pic.twitter.com/Aq7vJcLz4d

— Onze Masr (@onzemasr) March 28, 2023

???????????????? ????????????????????????????

1️⃣ Josimar Dias ‘Vozinha’ (GR)
4️⃣ Roberto Lopes ‘Pico’
6️⃣ Deroy Duarte
7️⃣ Willy Semedo
8️⃣ Kevin Pina
1️⃣1️⃣ Garry Rodrigues
1️⃣4️⃣ Ivanildo Fernandes
1️⃣5️⃣ João Paulo Fernandes
1️⃣7️⃣ Gilson Tavares
1️⃣8️⃣ Telmo Archangel
2️⃣0️⃣ Ryan Mendes (C) pic.twitter.com/B0Qd4f7MCW

— Cape Verdean Football Federation (@fcfcomunica) March 28, 2023