ALGERIA SECURE QUALIFICATION, NIGERIA CLAIM REVENGE

Baghdad Bounedjah of Algeria celebrates goal with teammates during the 2023 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers match between Niger and Algeria held at Rades Stadium in Tunis, Tunisia on 27 March 2023 ©Mehrez Toujani/BackpagePix

Monday Mar 27, 2023. 21:03

Monday’s action in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers saw Algeria secure their place in next year’s finals, while Nigeria claimed revenge over Guinea-Bissau and Ghana secured an important away draw to remain on track.

Algeria made it four wins from as many matches in Group F when they defeated Niger 1-0 in Tunis in an early-evening kick-off, with Baghdad Bounedjah’s early goal proving enough to secure three points and guarantee a top-two finish with two games to spare.

At the same time, Nigeria defeated Guinea-Bissau 1-0 away from home to reclaim top spot in Group A. The result – secured by a first-half penalty from Moses Simon – saw the Super Eagles avenge a shock defeat at the hands of the Djurtus in Abuja last Friday, and took them to nine points atop the standings. Guinea-Bissau are second on seven points.

In Luanda, Ghana fought back from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw with Angola. The Palancas Negras were on course to make it a three-way tie at the top of Group E (alongside Ghana and Central African Republic, who won earlier in the day) thanks to Lucas Joao’s strike, but the Black Stars’ Osman Bukari levelled the game.

As a result, Ghana lead the standings with eight points, CAR are second with seven, and Angola are third with five points on the board.

The afternoon matches brought victories for Central African Republic and Congo. CAR defeated Madagascar 2-0 in Douala – thanks to a brace from Louis Mafouta – to temporarily rise to the top of Group E, while Congo edged South Sudan 1-0 in Dar Es Salaam with a late strike from Gabriel Charptentier, allowing them to take a strong hold of second spot in Group G (behind Mali, who will hope to secure qualification on Tuesday with a win against Gambia in Casablanca).

The late kick-offs on Monday see Ethiopia host Guinea and Gabon visit Sudan. This block of qualifiers will be effectively completed on Tuesday 28 March, with a selection of matches headlined by Liberia v South Africa, Mozambique v Senegal and a North African derby between Libya and Tunisia.

AFCONQ results

Monday 27 March

Central African Republic 2-0 Madagascar

South Sudan 0-1 Congo

Guinea-Bissau 0-1 Nigeria

Angola 1-1 Ghana

Niger 0-1 Algeria

Late kick-offs

– Ethiopia v Guinea

– Sudan v Gabon

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