Uganda, Nigeria,Mali and Morocco qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday .
Uganda, Nigeria,Mali and Morocco qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday,
Nigeria
drew 1-1 with South Africa in Soweto, Uganda edged Cape Verde 1-0 in Kampala,
Mali beat Gabon in Libreville and Morocco went through after rivals Malawi lost
in the Comoros.
Libya
triumphed 8-1 in the Seychelles and host South Africa next March on the final
matchday needing a win to accompany Nigeria in qualifying from Group E.
The
Libyans just missed equalling the record away winning margin for a Cup of
Nations qualifier held by Ghana, who won 9-1 in Niger 49 years ago.
A
total of nine nations have booked places at the newly-extended 24-team finals
with hosts Cameroon, Madagascar, Senegal, Egypt and Tunisia securing berths
before this weekend.
Nigeria,
the three-time former champions who had failed to qualify for the last two
editions, were ahead in South Africa within nine minutes when Buhle Mkhwanazi
scored an own goal.
Outstanding
South African Percy Tau set up the equaliser for Lebo Mothiba on 26 minutes,
but the hosts were fortunate as several contentious offside decisions went
against Nigeria.
“A
draw feels like a victory because of the heat (32 degrees celsius/90
fahrenheit) and getting little sleep on our overnight flight,” said Nigeria
coach Gernot Rohr.
Nigerian
president Muhammadu Buhari was among those who hailed the Super Eagles for
qualifying.
“The
president joins millions of football-loving Nigerians in commending the team
for their spirited and disciplined performance against a very formidable
opponent,” a statement said.
South
Africa coach Stuart Baxter said: “I am proud that we have taken four points off
Nigeria in the group and disappointed that we were not braver during the second
half.”
Anis
Saltou bagged a hat-trick in Victoria as Libya humiliated the Seychelles, whose
188th world ranking is the lowest among the 48 teams in the qualifying
competition.
Meanwhile
Patrick Kaddu’s 79th-minute goal not only assured Uganda of first place in
Group L, it opened the door for Tanzania to also qualify.
39-YEAR
ABSENCE
If
Tanzania win in Lesotho on Sunday they will return to the African football showcase
after a 39-year absence.
An
early Moussa Doumbia goal gave Mali a 1-0 victory and left Gabon, who were
without injured star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, needing a matchday 6 victory in
Burundi to qualify from Group C.
A
draw will suffice for Burundi, who are ranked 142nd in the world and seeking a
first Cup of Nations appearance.
Morocco
qualified when Group B rivals Malawi lost 2-1 away to out-of-contention Comoros
in Mitsamiouli.
The
Comoran victory in the multi-island Indian Ocean state gave Morocco an
unassailable six-point advantage over Malawi.
El
Fardou Mohamed Ben Nabouhane, who has been playing for Red Star Belgrade in the
Uefa Champions League, gave the Comoros a second-minute lead.
Patrick
Phiri equalised after 53 minutes and Nasser Chamed scored the winner in the
70th minute on an artificial pitch.
Leaders
Morocco and second-placed Cameroon qualify from the group, with the latter
assured of a place because they are hosting the tournament between June 15-July
13.
Cameroon
are involved in the qualifying competition to gain match practice before defending
the title they won in Gabon last year by defeating Egypt 2-1 in the final.
Morocco
climbed above Cameroon into first place in Group B on Friday after beating them
2-0 in Casablanca thanks to a second-half brace from Hakim Ziyech.
Senegal
won 1-0 in Equatorial Guinea with a Luis Meseguer own-goal soon after halftime
deciding a dead rubber Group A match in Bata.
Benin
missed out on qualification from Group D this weekend after collapsing towards
the end of their clash with The Gambia to lose 3-1 after taking the lead in
Bakau.
Guinea-Bissau
forced a 0-0 Group K draw in Namibia and will compete at successive Cup of
Nations tournaments if they beat Mozambique at home in the final round of
games.
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