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The first leg of the Africa zone play-offs for the 2022 World Cup delivered their verdict on Friday. Algeria and Tunisia won against Cameroon and Mali respectively. Senegal lost to Egypt as Morocco snatched an away draw against DR Congo
The final sprint towards Qatar and the 2022 World Cup is launched in the Africa zone. The third and final round of the qualifiers began on Friday 25 March with the first legs opposing in order the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Morocco, Mali and Tunisia, Cameroon and Algeria, Ghana and Nigeria, and finally Egypt and Senegal.
Egypt – Senegal (1-0): the Pharaohs get their revenge
Egypt beat Senegal 1-0 in Cairo, in a replay of the African Cup of Nations final won by the Senegalese in early February.
This new duel between the two Liverpool stars, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, turned to the advantage of the first, whose shot was deflected against his camp by Saliou Ciss from the 4e minute. The return match will take place on Tuesday in Diamniadio, near Dakar.
>> Read the full report of the match on France24.com: Egypt neutralizes Senegal and offers the first leg
Ghana – Nigeria (0-0): see you in the second leg
Ghana and Nigeria split to a goalless draw in Kumasi, the land of the Blacks Stars. Everything will therefore be decided on Tuesday during the return match in Nigeria between the last two English-speaking countries competing in its African play-offs.
>> Read the full report on RFI: Ghana and Nigeria neutralize each other in the first leg
Cameroon – Algeria (0-1): Algeria exorcises the CAN and takes an option
Algeria, humiliated during the CAN in January 2022 in Cameroon, has returned to its best. Les Fennecs took an option for qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by beating Cameroon 1-0 in Douala.
With a powerful head, Islam Slimani delivered the Fennecs (41e) and scored the only goal of the game which was interrupted for a few minutes due to a lighting problem in the second half.
>> Read the full report of the match on France24.com: Algeria take an option by surprising Cameroon at home
Mali – Tunisia (0-1): a gag goal offers victory to the Eagles of Carthage
Malians can bite their fingers. Dominating against Tunisia, Mohamed Magassouba’s men lost at home (0-1) due to a stroke of luck. The Carthage Eagles can thank Sissako for his gag goal. He will be expelled four minutes later
>> To read on RFI the full report: Mali scuttled in front of Tunisia and saw Qatar move away
With the expulsion 4 minutes later. A full game.
— Fed ???????? from the Lose (@FFLose) March 25, 2022
DR Congo – Morocco (1-1): the Atlas Lions are doing well against the Leopards
Absent from the African Cup in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo received Morocco in its Martyrs stadium in Kinshasa, with the firm intention of making half the way to the second World Cup qualification in their history. The Congolese thought they could hold their victory for sixty minutes, between a goal from Yoane Wissa and a missed penalty from Moroccan Ryan Mmae.
However, Morocco will equalize after a completely crazy minute. While Romain Saïss snatches the break ball from Bakambu’s feet, Tissoudali lights up the Congolese goalkeeper with a volley on the counterattack. Vahid Halilhodzic can breathe: with this away goal, his men are on track to fulfill the contract for qualification for the World Cup.
>> Read the full report of the match on France24.com: Morocco snatch the draw on the lawn of the DR Congo