Road to Qatar 2022: Big wins for South Africa and Ghana, Saturday matchday 3 results

The road to Qatar 2022 continues to unwind with many twists and turns as the number of matches goes down with each passing matchday. Six matches were played on Saturday across different cities in Africa. Check results from Friday’s matches here.

In Group G, South Africa secured a 1-3 win over Ethiopia to maintain their position at the top of the table while Ethiopia stay at third place. Goals from Teboho Mokoena and Mothobi Mvala in each half and a late goal from Evidence Makgopa were what secured the win for the Bafana Bafana. Getaneh Kedebe’s 67th-minute goal only amounted to a consolation for the Walias. They next face each other on Tuesday, October 12.

Ghana also put 3 goals past Zimbabwe at the Cape Coast stadium despite Knowledge Musona producing a scary moment in the match for the Stars with his equalizer. Mohammed Kudus scored the first goal in the 5th-minute of the game but Ghana could not add another in the half despite creating several scoring opportunities. Knowledge Musona’s 49th-minute penalty pulled the Warriors level but a goal each from Thomas Partey and Andre Ayew was enough to get the win for Ghana ahead of the return leg next week.

Guinea and Sudan played out a 2-2 draw at the Stade Adrar. José Kanté scored in the first half to give Guinea a one-goal lead before Ahmed Hamed Mahmoud equalized for Sudan. Mohammed Bayo gave Guinea the lead again with a goal three minutes before the 70th-minute mark but Amir Kamal scored two minutes from time to end the game in a 2-2 stalemate. Guinea and Sudan occupy the two bottom places on the group table.

Guinea-Bissau was handed a three-nill defeat at home by Morocco who have now opened a 5 point lead at the top of the table while consigning their host to the second place in the group. Ayoub El Kaabi scored a goal in each half either side of Aymen Barkok’s 20th-minute goal to ensure victory for the Atlas Lions. Morocco now claim a firm grip at the summit with 9 points, Guinea-Bissau remain second, a point ahead of Guinea who is third and two ahead of Sudan who remains rock bottom.

Togo secured their first point in Group H after a 1-1 draw with Congo. An own-goal from Alaixys Romao in the 20th-minute gave Congo a lone goal lead before the break. Euloge Placca equalized with four minutes to the hour mark as Togo fought back to earn their first point in the qualifiers. Togo remains rooted at the bottom of the group with one point and Congo third with two points.

Senegal mauled Namibia by 4-1 as they open the gap at the summit of the table. Goals from Iddrisa Gueye and Famara Diedhiou in the first half and one each from Sadio Mane and Keita Balde were enough to see off Namibia though Joslin Kamatuka did score a goal in the second, it only amounted to an insignificant consolation. Namibia is third in the group with 4 points, 5 below Senegal who lead the group.

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