Nigeria consolidates top position in Group B after beating Cameroon 4-0 at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
While Ghana, playing in Kumasi, held Congo 1-1, leaving their chances of qualifying for Russia 2018 in tatters.
South Africa fell to Cape Verde 2-1 in Praia but maintain second place in group D.
It was nightmare in Rabat for Mali as Morocco scored six unreplied gpals.
Tunisia beat DR Congo to go top of Group A.
Zambia beat Algeria 3-1
Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifiers - Africa: RESULT TABLE
NIGERIA
While Ghana, playing in Kumasi, held Congo 1-1, leaving their chances of qualifying for Russia 2018 in tatters.
South Africa fell to Cape Verde 2-1 in Praia but maintain second place in group D.
It was nightmare in Rabat for Mali as Morocco scored six unreplied gpals.
Tunisia beat DR Congo to go top of Group A.
Zambia beat Algeria 3-1
See detailed match reports and match statistics below:
Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifiers - Africa: RESULT TABLE
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| MATCH RESULTS |
NIGERIA
The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Friday beat Cameroon 4-0 to consolidate its position at the top of Group B in the 2018 World Cup African qualifiers.
A goal apiece from Odion Ighalo, Chelsea FC winger, Victor Moses; skipper Mikel Obi and substitute Kelechi Iheanacho ensured Nigeria grabbed the maximum three points at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
After a sluggish start, Ighalo puts Nigeria ahead after receiving a fine pass from Mikel in the 28th minute. The China-based forward, however, got yellow-carded for taking off his jersey while celebrating.
Mikel made it 2-0 in the 42nd when he latched onto a Victor Moses corner.
Eleven minutes into the second half, Victor Moses combined with gangling winger Moses Simon before slotting home from inside the box.
Iheanacho, who came in for injured Ighalo, made it 4-0 when he nodded past goalkeeper Fabrice Ondo from Ogenyi Onasi assist in 77th minute.
With the victory, Nigeria top Group B with nine points, while Cameroon have just two points from three matches.
GHANA VS CONGO
Ghana's hopes of making it to Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup was left in tatters following a 1-1 stalemate against Red Devils of Congo on match day three of Group E qualifiers.
The Black Stars needed to pick three points against the Red Devils to have any chance of making yet again another World Cup tournament.
However, Ghana's lackadaisical start to the game was exposed as Congo opened the scoring through deadly poacher Thievy Bifouma in the 18th minute after he capitalized on Joseph Attamah's blunder.
Ghana came out strongly in the second half as they went in search of an early equalizer but just like the first half, they were poor in the final third of the pitch as Congo goalkeeper Mouko had little to deal with.
The Red Devils could have doubled their lead in the 49th minute when Thomas Partey poor clearance fell kindly to Fabrice Mayembo, but the midfielder blasted his shot over the bar.
Ghana pushed more bodies forward after realizing that the game looked to be ending in a disaster for Ghana and Thomas Partey blasted a low shot past goalkeeper Mouko, who had been impressive throughout the eighty five minutes, to level the scores line for Ghana.
Ghana increased their tempo in the final third as Agyepong continued to cause headache to the Devils but he was poor with his finishing as the matches ended in 1-1 draw, which leaves Ghana's hope of qualifying to Russia 2018 in tatters.
CAPE VERDE VS SOUTH AFRICA
Tokelo Rantie opened the scoring for Bafana Bafana, but Nuno Rocha's two goals earned the Blue Sharks the victory
Cape Verde stunned South Africa 2-1 in the 2018 Fifa World Cup Group D qualifier at the Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde on Friday.
The defeat sees Bafana remain second on the Group D standings, while the Blue Sharks also remain fourth despite their victory.
Stuart Baxter, the Bafana head coach, made two changes from the South Africa starting line-up that faced Nigeria in the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier in Uyo three months ago.
Ronwen Williams replaced Itumeleng Khune in goal, while Lebogang Manyama slotted in the number 10 role just behind the main striker Tokelo Rantie, who scored as Bafana beat Nigeria 2-0.
Cape Verde head coach Lucio Antunes named a strong starting line-up which was largely made up of Portugal-based players such as Babanco, Helder Tavares and Carlos Ponck.
Bafana's Turkish-based Rantie continued his scoring form for the visitors as he broke the deadlock just 13 minutes into the encounter after the Blue Sharks defence was caught napping.
Nightmare in Rabat for Mali as Morocco score six
It was a nightmare to forget for Mali on Friday night after Morocco slammed six goals past the nine-man Eagles side to register a 6-0 victory in a 2018 World Cup, Group C qualifier match at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
The home side took control of the tie from the opening whistle and made their pressure tell with the game’s first goal in the 19th minute when Hakim Ziyech found the back of the net, 1-0.
Morocco doubled their lead eight minutes later when Khalid Boutaib slotted the ball home with a clinical finish, 2-0.
Mali did not offer much in attack and defended with all their might to go into the break only trailing by two goals.
Any chance of a fight-back from Mali were dealt a massive blow in the 57th minute when they were reduced to ten men following the sending off of Bakaye Dibassy after receiving a second yellow card.
On the hour mark Hakim Ziyech put the result beyond doubt with his second goal of the night and his country’s third, 3-0.
Matters went from bad to worse for the visiting Mali when they were reduced to nine men following the sending off of Mohamed Konate in the 67th minute after his second booking as well.
The icing on the cake for Morocco was their fourth goal, scored by Achraf Hakimi in the 72nd minute, 4-0.
Mali tried to defend as best they could after that with their nine men, but they could not finish the night without conceding two more goals – substitutes Faycal Fajr and Mimoun Mahi scoring for Morocco in the 86th and 89th minutes respectively, 6-0.
The win takes Morocco to the top of Group C with five points from three matches, one point above second placed Cote d’Ivoire who are in action against Gabon on Saturday.
Gabon are third in Group C with two points from two matches while Mali are last with one point from three games.
Tunisia beat DR Congo to go top of Group A
Tunisia defeated Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 2-1 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification Group A match at the Stade Olympique de Rades on Friday.
As a result, the Carthage Eagles climbed to the top of Group A table, while the Leopards dropped down to the second spot ahead of the return leg match which will be played in Kinshasa on Tuesday.
It took 18 minutes for the Carthage Eagles to take lead from the spot-kick after they were awarded a penalty when Fakhreddine Ben Youssef was fouled in the box.
Tunisia defender Yassine Meriah made no mistake from the spot-kick as he fired past DRC goalkeeper Ley Matampi to make it 1-0 to the home side.
However, the visitors managed to level matters through Cedric Bakambu, who beat Tunisia keeper Aymen Mathlouthi in the 43rd minute to make it 1-1.
The score was 1-1 during the half-time break after the DRC fought back and punished the Tunisian defence, who were caught ball watching.
DRC were unable to contain Tunisia in the opening stages of the second-half as the Carthage Eagles pressed the Leopards in search of the second goal.
The pressure paid off as Esperance de Tunis midfielder Chailene Chaalali hit the back of the net from close range in the 47th minute to make it 2-1 to Tunisia.
The Leopards then pushed for the equalizing goal, but they found it difficult to unlock the Carthage Eagles which was led by goalscorer Meriah.
The home side stood firm in the dying minutes of the match and Tunisia recorded a hard-fought 2-1 victory over DRC on the night.
SEE MATCH STATISTICS BELOW:
Nigeria vs Cameroon
Ghana vs Congo
Cape Verde vs South Africa
A goal apiece from Odion Ighalo, Chelsea FC winger, Victor Moses; skipper Mikel Obi and substitute Kelechi Iheanacho ensured Nigeria grabbed the maximum three points at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
After a sluggish start, Ighalo puts Nigeria ahead after receiving a fine pass from Mikel in the 28th minute. The China-based forward, however, got yellow-carded for taking off his jersey while celebrating.
Mikel made it 2-0 in the 42nd when he latched onto a Victor Moses corner.
Eleven minutes into the second half, Victor Moses combined with gangling winger Moses Simon before slotting home from inside the box.
Iheanacho, who came in for injured Ighalo, made it 4-0 when he nodded past goalkeeper Fabrice Ondo from Ogenyi Onasi assist in 77th minute.
With the victory, Nigeria top Group B with nine points, while Cameroon have just two points from three matches.
GHANA VS CONGO
Ghana's hopes of making it to Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup was left in tatters following a 1-1 stalemate against Red Devils of Congo on match day three of Group E qualifiers.
The Black Stars needed to pick three points against the Red Devils to have any chance of making yet again another World Cup tournament.
However, Ghana's lackadaisical start to the game was exposed as Congo opened the scoring through deadly poacher Thievy Bifouma in the 18th minute after he capitalized on Joseph Attamah's blunder.
Ghana came out strongly in the second half as they went in search of an early equalizer but just like the first half, they were poor in the final third of the pitch as Congo goalkeeper Mouko had little to deal with.
The Red Devils could have doubled their lead in the 49th minute when Thomas Partey poor clearance fell kindly to Fabrice Mayembo, but the midfielder blasted his shot over the bar.
Ghana pushed more bodies forward after realizing that the game looked to be ending in a disaster for Ghana and Thomas Partey blasted a low shot past goalkeeper Mouko, who had been impressive throughout the eighty five minutes, to level the scores line for Ghana.
Ghana increased their tempo in the final third as Agyepong continued to cause headache to the Devils but he was poor with his finishing as the matches ended in 1-1 draw, which leaves Ghana's hope of qualifying to Russia 2018 in tatters.
CAPE VERDE VS SOUTH AFRICA
Tokelo Rantie opened the scoring for Bafana Bafana, but Nuno Rocha's two goals earned the Blue Sharks the victory
Cape Verde stunned South Africa 2-1 in the 2018 Fifa World Cup Group D qualifier at the Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde on Friday.
The defeat sees Bafana remain second on the Group D standings, while the Blue Sharks also remain fourth despite their victory.
Stuart Baxter, the Bafana head coach, made two changes from the South Africa starting line-up that faced Nigeria in the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier in Uyo three months ago.
Ronwen Williams replaced Itumeleng Khune in goal, while Lebogang Manyama slotted in the number 10 role just behind the main striker Tokelo Rantie, who scored as Bafana beat Nigeria 2-0.
Cape Verde head coach Lucio Antunes named a strong starting line-up which was largely made up of Portugal-based players such as Babanco, Helder Tavares and Carlos Ponck.
Bafana's Turkish-based Rantie continued his scoring form for the visitors as he broke the deadlock just 13 minutes into the encounter after the Blue Sharks defence was caught napping.
Nightmare in Rabat for Mali as Morocco score six
It was a nightmare to forget for Mali on Friday night after Morocco slammed six goals past the nine-man Eagles side to register a 6-0 victory in a 2018 World Cup, Group C qualifier match at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
The home side took control of the tie from the opening whistle and made their pressure tell with the game’s first goal in the 19th minute when Hakim Ziyech found the back of the net, 1-0.
Morocco doubled their lead eight minutes later when Khalid Boutaib slotted the ball home with a clinical finish, 2-0.
Mali did not offer much in attack and defended with all their might to go into the break only trailing by two goals.
Any chance of a fight-back from Mali were dealt a massive blow in the 57th minute when they were reduced to ten men following the sending off of Bakaye Dibassy after receiving a second yellow card.
On the hour mark Hakim Ziyech put the result beyond doubt with his second goal of the night and his country’s third, 3-0.
Matters went from bad to worse for the visiting Mali when they were reduced to nine men following the sending off of Mohamed Konate in the 67th minute after his second booking as well.
The icing on the cake for Morocco was their fourth goal, scored by Achraf Hakimi in the 72nd minute, 4-0.
Mali tried to defend as best they could after that with their nine men, but they could not finish the night without conceding two more goals – substitutes Faycal Fajr and Mimoun Mahi scoring for Morocco in the 86th and 89th minutes respectively, 6-0.
The win takes Morocco to the top of Group C with five points from three matches, one point above second placed Cote d’Ivoire who are in action against Gabon on Saturday.
Gabon are third in Group C with two points from two matches while Mali are last with one point from three games.
Tunisia beat DR Congo to go top of Group A
Tunisia defeated Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 2-1 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification Group A match at the Stade Olympique de Rades on Friday.
As a result, the Carthage Eagles climbed to the top of Group A table, while the Leopards dropped down to the second spot ahead of the return leg match which will be played in Kinshasa on Tuesday.
It took 18 minutes for the Carthage Eagles to take lead from the spot-kick after they were awarded a penalty when Fakhreddine Ben Youssef was fouled in the box.
Tunisia defender Yassine Meriah made no mistake from the spot-kick as he fired past DRC goalkeeper Ley Matampi to make it 1-0 to the home side.
However, the visitors managed to level matters through Cedric Bakambu, who beat Tunisia keeper Aymen Mathlouthi in the 43rd minute to make it 1-1.
The score was 1-1 during the half-time break after the DRC fought back and punished the Tunisian defence, who were caught ball watching.
DRC were unable to contain Tunisia in the opening stages of the second-half as the Carthage Eagles pressed the Leopards in search of the second goal.
The pressure paid off as Esperance de Tunis midfielder Chailene Chaalali hit the back of the net from close range in the 47th minute to make it 2-1 to Tunisia.
The Leopards then pushed for the equalizing goal, but they found it difficult to unlock the Carthage Eagles which was led by goalscorer Meriah.
The home side stood firm in the dying minutes of the match and Tunisia recorded a hard-fought 2-1 victory over DRC on the night.
SEE MATCH STATISTICS BELOW:
Nigeria vs Cameroon
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