Senegal impresses, Tunisia undefeated and Mali close to qualification

• Group A: Nigeria fall at home, Sierra Leone hope

Guinea-Bissau went to surprise Nigeria at home in Abuja in the clash of the group A. Despite a domination of the “Super Eagles”, Mama Samba Baldé scored the only goal of the match for the “Djurtus”, allowing them to take a step ahead of their opponents in the standings. The return match, this Monday, looks promising.

Behind, Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe first drew in West Africa (2-2) then Sierra Leone got the better of their island opponent (0-2). The ‘Leone Stars’ are only one point behind Nigeria and two behind Guinea-Bissau – but with one more game.

• Group B: Full box for Burkina

Burkina Faso won in extremis against Togo (1-0), bottom of the group, thus continuing their winning streak in the CAN qualifying rounds. Sheriff Tiraspol player Abdoul Tapsoba gave his team the victory by a header.

The other game in the group resulted in a sad 0-0 between Cape Verde and Eswatini.

• Group C: Cameroon hold against Namibia

At the Ahmadou-Ahidjo stadium, Cameroon stuck against Namibia (1-1). Endangered by Peter Shalulile’s opener, the “Indomitable Lions” had to wait for Olivier Kemen’s equalizer in the 72nd^e to save a point. Rigobert Song’s men can blame their clumsiness, with just two shots on target from 17.

Burundi for its part did not play, group C being composed of only three teams since the exclusion of Kenya from the competition.

• Group D: Egypt recover, Guinea follow suit

In the tightest group of all at the end of day two – all teams were three points behind – woe to the vanquished. Egypt was warned after their defeat in Ethiopia. The “Pharaohs” recovered perfectly against Malawi by winning 2 to 0.

In the group’s other match, Guinea won by the same scoreline against Ethiopia. The Guineans opened the scoring in the first half with a goal from François Kamano before Mohamed Bayo doubled the lead in the second half.

• Group E: Ghana in extremis, Angola second

It took until the very last moments of the game for Ghana to win against Angola. It was Antoine Semenyo who delivered his own to the 96^e minute. A victory in extremis which allows the “Black Stars” to consolidate their first place with seven points, while Angola find themselves in second position with four points.

The “Black Antelopes” are closely followed by the Central African Republic, which slapped Madagascar (3-0) and also has four points.

• Group F: Algeria do well, Tanzania win the East African derby

Algeria were aiming for the pass of three but almost fell to astonishing Nigeriens. The “Menas” opened the scoring against the “Fennecs” thanks to Sosah in the first period. But Djamel Belmadi’s men set the record straight in the second half thanks to the incoming Bounedjah and a stroke of genius from star Mahrez.

Tanzania sit second in the group with four points after beating Uganda 1-0 in the East African derby in Cairo.

• Group G: South Sudan dreams, Mali always higher

Mali flies over the playoffs. The “Eagles” added a victory in their pocket by beating Gambia 2 to 0. Now with nine points, they are almost qualified for Côte d’Ivoire.

Behind, after their victory against Congo (2-1), South Sudan advanced to second place thanks to goal difference. The “Scorpions” can dream of a first qualification for the queen competition of the continent.

• Group H: Zambia remain first, Haller scores for Ivory Coast

Côte d’Ivoire, already qualified for CAN-2024 as host country, did not tremble against Comoros (3-1). A match in which Sébastien Haller, who is returning from cancer, scored for his return with the “Elephants”.

For its part, Zambia won against Lesotho (3-1), consolidating its first place in the group.

• Group I: Gabon takes the lead, the DR congo last

Gabon had to work hard to snatch their second victory in the group I. The “Panthers”, long sterile, had to wait for the 72^e minute to open the scoring and defeat the “Crocodiles” of Sudan. Upon arrival, Patrice Neveu’s men are in first place with seven points.

The DR Congo, in bad shape after two days, offered a little air. She got back on track by winning 3-1 in Lubumbashi against Mauritania but will have to confirm if she wants to get out of last place and qualify for Côte d’Ivoire.

• Group J: Tunisia undefeated

First in the group at the start of the match, Tunisia are now undefeated for three matches and have confirmed their defensive solidity by not conceding a single goal. The “Eagles of Carthage” made short work of Libya (3-0) in this Maghreb derby.

Victorious over Botswana 2-0, Equatorial Guinea sit second with six points, while the Batswana are bottom with just one point.

• Group K: South Africa ruined everything

While leading 2-0, South Africa were overtaken by Liberia, at 2-2. The “Bafana Bafana” have only one point for a single draw and will have to beat Liberia in Monrovia to remain optimistic.

Like the group C, the group K has only three teams since Zimbabwe were expelled from the competition. The last team is none other than Morocco, semi-finalist of the last World Cup, which walks on water. She offered herself a prestigious victory against Brazil in a friendly match (2-1).

• Group L: Senegal impresses

Senegal, defending champion, showed all their power by beating Mozambique 5 to 1. A victory that allows the “Lions of Teranga” to get closer to qualifying to defend their title. Aliou Cissé’s men only need one point to score their ticket to Côte d’Ivoire.

Mozambique are second with four points and will challenge the Senegalese once again, this time in Maputo. Rwanda are third in the group after their 1-1 draw against Benin.