Mixed Results For Big Guns
March 30, 2009
March 30, 2009
The tragic death of 19 spectators in Abidjan on Sunday overshadowed the results from the first round of matches in the third and final qualifying stage for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations, as mixed results for the traditional powers of African football suggests that they will not have all it their own way.
The stampede in the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium is a reminder that although African football is improving in terms of its on-field capabilities, overfilling of venues, poor crowd control and lax security are still major problems that need to be addressed.
At least Cote d’Ivoire’s national team didn’t let the tragedy affect their performance, thrashing the visiting Malawians 5-0. Chelsea striker Didier Drogba grabbed two goals on his return to the Elephants as Cote d’Ivoire moved to the head of Group E.
It looks as if Burkina Faso will be their main rivals in the group, this after they defeated Guinea 4-2 in Ouagadougou. Moumouni Dagano continued his superb form with a brace of goals.
Egyptian fans must be having a dreadful sense of déjà vu after the Pharaohs were held to a 1-1 draw by Zambia in Cairo on Sunday. The reigning African champions last appeared at a World Cup in 1990 and their inability to qualify for the prestigious tournament in recent years has become something of a curse.
It’s still early days and Egypt undoubtedly have the class to secure a place in 2010, but it’s not the most auspicious start for them in Group C. The good news for the North Africans is that Rwanda and Algeria, the other two teams in the group, played to a goalless draw in Kigali, leaving the standings all square after one game each.
Cameroon suffered their first defeat in the qualifying tournament, going down 1-0 to Group A rivals Togo in Accra on Saturday. Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who supposedly only travelled in a supporting role due to injury, played the full 90 minutes and scored the winning goal.
The Indomitable Lions weren’t the only surprise losers in their pool, as Morocco suffered a shock defeat at home to Gabon in Casablanca. It leaves the Group A standings with a decidedly strange look: Cameroon are bottom of the log, with Gabon sitting proudly in pole position.
Tunisia top Group B after an away win over Kenya in Nairobi, Issam Jomaa netting the winner in the 72nd minute as the Carthage Eagles got off to an excellent start. The same can’t be said for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, held to a goalless draw away to Mozambique that ends their 100 percent winning record in the qualifying tournament.
Ghana had to work hard for their 1-0 win over Benin in Kumasi, with Prince Tagoe scoring the game’s only goal. The Black Stars’ victory saw them move to the top of Group D, as Sudan and Mali played to a 1-1 draw in Omdurman.
Ghana had to work hard for their 1-0 win over Benin in Kumasi, with Prince Tagoe scoring the game’s only goal. The Black Stars’ victory saw them move to the top of Group D, as Sudan and Mali played to a 1-1 draw in Omdurman.
Aside from Cote d’Ivoire’s big margin of victory and Burkina Faso’s good win over Guinea, there were no other games decided by more than a single goal margin. There are still five rounds of matches to go, but the early signs are that this will be a hugely competitive and tightly contested World Cup qualifying. Africa’s ‘Big Guns’, you have been warned...
Click here for a full list of the Results.
Qualifier Round 1
Match Date Teams Score Match Centre
10 29 Mar Egypt vs Zambia 1 - 1 Match Centre
9 29 MarIvory Coast vs Malawi 5 - 0 Match Centre
8 29 Mar Ghana vs Benin 1 - 0 Match Centre
7 29 Mar Mozambique vs Nigeria 0 - 0 Match Centre
10 29 Mar Egypt vs Zambia 1 - 1 Match Centre
9 29 MarIvory Coast vs Malawi 5 - 0 Match Centre
8 29 Mar Ghana vs Benin 1 - 0 Match Centre
7 29 Mar Mozambique vs Nigeria 0 - 0 Match Centre
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