CAF WCQ: Egypt Snatch Play-Off Ticket; Algeria Edges Closer

CAF WCQ: Egypt Snatch Play-Off Ticket; Algeria Edges Closer Egypt came from two goals down in Luanda on Saturday to force a 2-2 draw against hosts Angola and book a slot in the play-off round of qualification to the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. The home side had stretched to a well worked 2-0 lead, but the Pharaohs bounced back from the hands of defeat to draw and move to 11 points, four ahead of second placed Gabon who had two hours earlier won 1-0 against Libya. With one match to play, Egypt have opened an unassailable lead and will head into the last match day with a play-off ticket secured, only playing for pride and to maintain their unbeaten run in the group phase. Angola who were seeking a second consecutive victory were off to a fine start and broke the deadlock in the 25th minute through Helder Costa’s well taken low shot from outside the area. Ten minutes later, the home boys were 2-0 up when M'Bala Nzola scored from the penalty spot. The Spezia forward calmly converted from 12 yards out after Akram Tawfik had clipped down Mateus inside the box. But, the hard fighting Egyptians gave themselves a chance when they halved the deficit at the stroke of halftime through Mohamed Elnenny. They completed their comeback in the 58th minute when Tawfik made amends for giving away a penalty with the equalizing goal. Angola almost re-took the lead but Egyptian keeper Mohamed El Shenawy was hawkeyed to keep away a rasping shot from Assa Miranda. Ten minutes from time, Egypt centre forward Sherif came close to winning it for his side when he ran behind the defense to pick the ball, but his curling effort was turned behind for a corner. Elsewhere, already qualified Morocco picked up their fifth victory in Group I with a 3-0 win over Sudan, Ryan Mmaee scoring a goal in either half. Mmaee broke the deadlock very early on in the third minute with his first goal in Moroccan colors with a simple low finish after running on to a through ball from Soufiane Amrabat. He completed his brace in the 63rd minute finishing off a good team move with a shot from inside the box. Though the keeper saved his initial attempt, the forward reacted quick to the rebound to burry it home. Imran Louza capped off the victory with a third goal in the third minute of added time with a sweetly struck volley as the Atlas Lions roared with another emphatic victory. Gabon brought to life their faint hopes of progressing to the play-off round of qualification for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup after beating Libya 1-0 at home on Saturday. The result meant Gabon moved to seven points, three behind leaders Egypt. However, the Pharaohs can wrap up the group later Saturday if they avoid defeat against Angola, to make the final round of qualification matches a formality. Libya who were second heading into the penultimate round have consequently bowed out of the race as they dropped to third with six points. Arsenal forward Pierre Emerick Aubameyang expertly tucked away a 54th minute penalty to hand Gabon the maximum points at home. The hosts were handed a spot kick after substitute Mario Lemina was fouled inside the box by Naji Daraa. Gabon had started the second half strongly with Jim Allevinah testing the keeper early on with a shot from inside the box that rolled straight to his arms. After conceding, Libya almost restored parity but Hamdou Elhouni shot straight to the keeper with little power after picking the ball unmarked at the edge of the box. Despite concerted efforts, Libya could not get a point from the match as Gabon defended well. Meanwhile, Guinea and Guinea Bissau played to a draw in a dead rubber Group I fixture, with Guinea Bissau remaining second with five points, seven behind already qualified Morocco. Home side Guinea had countless chances to score as they sought their first win of the group phase, but they were blunt in front of goal as they registered a fourth successive draw. Sory Kaba thought he had scored for the Guineans in the 61st minute, but his goal was ruled out for offside. African champions Algeria will only need a point from their last match against second placed Burkina Faso to book a slot in the play-off round of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after beating Djibouti 4-0 in their penultimate group match on Friday. The result sees Les Fennecs move to 13 points on top of Group A, two ahead of Burkina Faso who dropped two points after a 1-1 home draw with Niger. In Cairo, on the venue they clinched their African title in 2019, Algeria were determined to wrap up qualification to the next round. Three first half goals from Youcef Bellaili, Said Benrahma and Soufiane Feghouli got them going. Bellaili scored in the 29th minute, just a minute after missing a penalty. The midfielder raced on to a flicked ball from Baghdad Bounedjah before shooting past the keeper inside the box. They waited till the 40th minute to score the second when Bounedjah won the ball at the edge of the box before sending Benrahma through. The forward took a low shot into the net. Two minutes later they made it 3-0 when Feghouli finished off with a powerful shot that the Djibouti keeper failed to hold. The Algerians waited till the 86th minute to seal the victory with the fourth goal, Slimani heading home after the keeper had spilled Benrahma’s powerful drive. Elsewhere, it was a game of penalties as Niger held Burkina Faso to a 1-1 draw. Niger went ahead in the 34th minute through Youssef Oumanou’s penalty before Issoufou Dayo equalized in similar fashion 10 minutes after the break