2017 AFCON qualifiers, Tues 29 March – AS IT HAPPENED

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Mar 29, 2016. 22:59

Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for Tuesday, 29 March. We will be keeping you up to date with all the matches across the continent today as teams battle for a place in the AFCON in Gabon.

Today’s fixtures, all times CAT

14h30 – Group L, Malawi 1-2 Guinea - FT
15h00 – Group J, Lesotho 2-1 Seychelles - FT
15h30 – Group H, Rwanda 5-0 Mauritius - FT
16h00 – Group K, Niger 1-2 Senegal - FT
16h00 – Group J, Ethiopia 3-3 Algeria - FT
17h00 – Group A, Togo 0-0 Tunisia - FT
17h00 – Group K, Namibia 1-3 Burundi - FT
18h00 – Group A, Liberia 5-0 Djibouti - FT
18h00 – Group B, Angola 0-2 DR Congo - FT
18h00 – Group D, Uganda 0-0 Burkina Faso - FT
18h30 – Group M, Gambia 0-0 Mauritania - FT
19h00 – Group M, South Africa 0-0 Cameroon - FT
19h00 – Group G, Egypt 1-0 Nigeria - FT
20h00 – Group I, Sudan 1-1 Cote d’Ivoire -  FT
21h00 – Group F, Morocco 2-0 Cape Verde - FT

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23h00 - Full-Time in Morocco and the Atlas Lions are the first team to qualify for the African Cup of Nations (joining hosts Gabon), following a 2-0 win over Cape Verde - Africa's number one ranked side now in real danger of missing next year's tournament.

22h22 - El Arabi has doubled the hosts lead. The North Africans on the verge of qualification now. Hervé Renard on course to lead the North Africans to Gabon having previously won the tournament with Zambia and the Ivory Coast

22h20 - Youssef El-Arabi has converts from the spot to put Morocco 1-0 up against Cape Verde. Africa's top ranked side in real danger of missing AFCON. Cape Verde reduced to 10-men following a foul on Sofiane Boufal inside the area.

21h50 - Full-Time in Omdurman, and Sudan have held 2015 AFCON champions Ivory Coast to a 1-1 stalemate. Max Gradel and Muhand El Tahir with the goals.

21h40 - Things have gone a bit quiet on the continent as another round of fixtures draws to a close. Let's use this time to recap the situation in each group: 

Group A - Liberia lead the way on nine points, closely followed by Togo and Tunisia who are locked on seven points apiece. Djibouti have been eliminated having conceded 15 goals in four games.

Group B - Democratic Republic of Congo top the group following favourable results over Angola. Central African Republic are second, two points behind the DRC - Angola and Madagascar still stand a small chance of qualifying.

Group C - Mali top the group by two points, closely followed by Benin with 2015 AFCON hosts Equatorial Guinea and South Sudan fighting for third.

Group D - Things are very tight in Group D with Burkina Faso and Uganda deadlocked on seven points apiece. Botswana are third on six points with Comoros bottom of the table.

Group E - Guinea-Bissau top the group following successive wins over Kenya who have subsequently been eliminated. Congo and Zambia are a point behind the West Africans.

Group F - Morocco and Cape Verde in on-going action. Three points for Morocco will send the North Africans six points clear of Africa's top ranked side. Libya and São Tomé and Príncipe have managed a win apiece in four games.

Group G - Seven time champions Egypt look sure to qualify for AFCON next year having eliminated Nigeria with a 1-0 win in Alexandria. Tanzania still have a chance of qualification - Chad withdrew from qualification sighting financial difficulties.

Group H - Runners-up at AFCON last year, Ghana look certain to qualify for Gabon. The Black Stars are four points clear of Rwanda and Mauritius with Mozambique already eliminated.

Group I - Defending AFCON champs Ivory Coast currently lead the way in Group I. The Elephants have not been convincing, but are favourites in a Group including Sudan and Sierra Leone. Hosts Gabon complete the Group, but games against the Panthers don't count for any points.

Group J -Algeria on the cusp of qualification. The Fennecs are five points clear of Ethiopia following an exciting 3-3 draw Addis Ababa. The Seychelles and Lesotho complete the group.

Group K - Senegal are sure to qualify - the Lions are six points clear of Burundi who kept their hopes alive with victory in Windhoek. Namibia and Niger have very slim hopes of qualification.

Group L - Zimbabwe top a highly competitive group. The Warriors lead the way by three points with Swaziland and Guinea tied on five points apiece. Malawi are bottom of the group with two points.

Group M - Cameroon top the group by one point with surprise package Mauritania a point behind the Indomitable Lions. South Africa's hopes of qualification all but ended following a goalless draw against Cameroon in Durban. Gambia prop the standings.

*Benin and Tunisia currently fill the two best placed second placed teams.

21h05 - Heartbreak for South Africa - a goalless draw against Cameroon all but ending their chances of qualifying for next year's showpiece. The result moves the Indomitable Lions top of Group M with two games remaining.

20h55 - Full-Time in Egypt and 2013 African Cup of Nations champions Nigeria have failed to qualify for successive AFCON tournaments. Ramadan Sobhy with the decisive goal in Alexandra as seven time champions Egypt move a step closer to qualification.

20h35 - Muhand El Tahir has pulled Sudan level against the Ivory Coast, 1-1. Just a reminder that the game kicked-off at 20h00 CAT and not at 19h00 CAT as originally scheduled.

20h35 - Full-Time score in Bakau: Gambia 0-0 Mauritania: a point enough to move Mauritania level on points with Cameroon in Group M.

20h30 - 18-year-old Ramadan Sobhy has put Egypt 1-0 up against Nigeria. The Super Eagles in danger of missing successive AFCON tournaments.

20h20 - Max Gradel has given the Ivory Coast an early lead in Sudan.

20h15 - Elsewhere, Liberia moved two points clear atop Group A following a 5-0 win over Djibouti. William Jebor with a hat-trick for the Lone Stars.

20h10 - Uganda head coach Micho looked a dejected figure as Uganda were held to a goalless draw by Burkina Faso in Kampala. The Cranes missed a catalogue of chances throughout the match. Burkina Faso ended the game with 10-men, Charles Kabore seeing red for the visitors. Things remain very tight in Group D. The Stallions and Cranes tied on seven points, closely followed by Botswana on six.

20h08 -  Democratic Republic of Congo moved top of Group B following a 2-0 win over Angola. Jonathan Bolingi sealing all three points in second-half stoppage time.

20h00 - Goalless at the break in Durban as well. Cameroon happy to sit back - Hugo Broos and his troops will be happy with a point it seems.

19h55 - Half-Time in Alexandria, still goalless between Egypt and Nigeria. With Chad pulling out, the Super Eagles need a win following the 1-1 draw in Nigeria last week.

19h50 Aristide Bance on the field for Burkina Faso as they chase all three points in Kampala. Uganda desperate for the win - the Cranes haven't qualified for an AFCON tournament since finishing as runners-up in 1978.

19h40 After a cagey start to the game, things are starting to open up in Durban with Thulani Serero and Anatole Abang  missing good opportunities at either end of the pitch.

19h27 - And now past the midway point of the first halves in Durban, Alexandria and Khartoum - the trio of games all remain locked at 0-0.

19h25 - Past the hour mark in Monrovia (Liberia 4-0 Djibouti), Kampala (Uganda 0-0 Burkina Faso) and Luanda (Angola 0-1 DRC).

19h22 - Goal for Liberia, they go 4-0 up against minnows Djibouti. Can they match Rwanda's 5-0 win over Mauritius from earlier in the day?

19h20 - Half time in Bakau, Gambia 0-0 Mauritania at the break.

19h13 - A goal early in the second half for Liberia, who go 3-0 up at home to Djibouti. The Lone Stars look set to go two points clear at the top of Group A ahead of Togo and Tunisia.

19h11 - Closing in on half time in Bakau, Mauritania are still holding Gambia 0-0.

19h05 - Underway in the three big games kicking off at this hour: SA v Cameroon, Egypt v Nigeria and Sudan v Cote d'Ivoire.

19h00 - Full time in Windhoek, Namibia 1-3 Burundi. The Swallows' win means Senegal have not yet booked their place in Gabon 2017.

18h57 - Half time in Luanda (Angola 0-1 DRC), Kampala (Uganda 0-0 Burkina Faso) and Monrovia (Liberia 2-0 Djibouti).

18h55 - Full time in Lome, it ends Togo 0-0 Tunisia. The result sees the teams tied at the top of Group A on seven points, but they are likely to be overtaken by Liberia.

18h45 - DRC lead away to Angola, Joel Kimwaki with the goal which sees the Leopards 1-0 up in Luanda.

18h42 - Liberia's second goal was scored by Sam Johnson. Elsewhere, here are the line-ups for SA v Cameroon in Durban:

Cameroon: Ondoa, Bedimo, Chedjou, Nyom, Teikeu, Matip, Siani, Salli, Ndi, Aboubakar, Ambang.

SA: Itumeleng Khune, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Sifiso Hlanti, Rivaldo Coetzee, Erick Mathoho, Thulani Serero, Andile Jali, Hlompho Kekana, Mandla Masango, Tokelo Rantie, Thamsanqa Gabuza

18h40 - Twenty minutes until the scheduled kick-off of three big games: South Africa v Cameroon in Durban in Group M, Egypt v Nigeria in Alexandria in Group G and Sudan v Cote d'Ivoire in Khartoum in Group I. Here's the line-ups for the Pharaohs v Super Eagles clash:

Egypt: Ahmed El-Shennawi, Omar Gaber, Ahmed Hegazi, Rami Rabia, Hamada Tolba, Ibrahim Salah, Mohamed Elneny, Abdallah El-Said, Ramadan Sobhi, Mohamed Salah, Marwan Mohsen.

Nigeria: Daniel Akpeyi, Shehu Shagari, Stanley Amuzie, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, John Obi Mikel, Etebo Oghenekaro, Abdulmumini Aminu, Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo.

18h38 - Burundi lead 2-1 away to Namibia. That goal sees the Swallows putting a spanner in the works of Senegal's hopes of being confirmed as qualifiers this evening. The Teranga Lions need the game in Windhoek to end in a draw.

18h34 - Liberia have doubled their lead against Djibouti in Monrovia, with a 30th minute goal making it 2-0 to the Lone Stars.

18h32 - Underway in the Group M clash between Gambia and Mauritania in Bakau.

18h30 - Past the midway point of the 17h00 kick offs, it's still Togo 0-0 Tunisia in Lome and Namibia 1-1 Burundi in Windhoek.

18h20 - Confirmation that Liberia's goal came from the penalty spot and was scored by their talisman Anthony Laffor.

18h16 - Goal in Monrovia, Liberia have a 1-0 lead against Djibouti after a 10th minute strike.

18h10 - Here's Uganda's line-up for their match against the Burkinabe: Denis Onyango, Denis Iguma, Joseph Ochaya, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Isaac Isinde, Khalid Aucho, William Kizito Luwaga, Faruku Miya, Geoffrey Massa, Emmanuel Okwi, Tonny Mawejje. And Mauritania's XI for their Group M match away to Gambia which kicks off at 18h30: Souleimane, M. Diaw, O. Ndiaye, Abdoul Ba, A. Abdeid, K. Camara, Y. Dellahi, T. Denne, I. Diakite, B. Baguili, M. Ahmed.

18h05 - Underway in three further matches which kick-off at this hour: Liberia v Djibouti in Monrovia in Group A, Angola v DR Congo in Luanda in Group B and Uganda v Burkina Faso in Kampala in Group D. Also back in action in the second halves in Lome (Tunisia 0-0 Togo) and Windhoek (Namibia 1-1 Burundi).

18h03 - Full time in Niamey, Senegal beat hosts Niger 2-1. The result takes the Teranga Lions to the verge of qualification and they could be confirmed within the hour if the other Group K match between Namibia and Burundi ends in a draw.

17h52 - Full time in Addis Ababa, it ends Ethiopia 3-3 Algeria! What a cracking game in Group J and it leaves the Wayla Antelopes and the Fennec Foxes on five and 10 points respectively - definitely a good result for the North Africans, who remain in the driving seat on the road to Gabon.

17h49 - Half time in Lome, it's Togo 0-0 Tunisia. Ditto for Windhoek, where Namibia and Burundi are locked at 1-1. The Swallows scored an equaliser just before the break.

17h48 - It's now 3-3 in Addis Ababa! The Algerians have levelled the game thanks to a late penalty! Faouzi Ghoulam converted from the spot for the Fennec Foxes.

17h45 - Fifteen minutes until the scheduled kick off of three matches, one of which sees Angola host DR Congo in Luanda in Group B. Here's the Leopards' line-up: Matampi, Baometo, Lomalisa, Zakuani, Kimwaki, Bope, Bompunga, Mbemba, Meschack, Bakambu, Bolasie.

17h35 - Just about 15 minutes to play in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia remain 3-2 up against Group J rivals Algeria thanks to Dawit Fikadu's goal on 65 minutes. Niger have pulled a goal back against Senegal, they're now only 2-1 down in Niamey. Adebayor Zakari scored from the penalty spot for Mena.

17h30 - Full time in Kigali, it ends Rwanda 5-0 Mauritius, a result which sees the East Africans join Mauritius on six points in Group H. The pair trail leaders Ghana, who have 10 points.

17h25 - Aissa Mandi was Algeria's goal scorer in Addis Ababa, but Ethiopia have scored yet again to make it 3-2 in favour of the hosts in what is a cracking Group J match! Elsewhere, Rwanda continue to crush Mauritius, as they have added another goal to make it 5-0 late in their Group H match in Kigali.

17h20 - But the Wayla Antelopes' lead is short lived again, with Algeria levelling the game at 2-2 just after the hour mark.

17h17 - Ethiopia's second goal was scored by Getaneh Kebede, his second of the game in Addis Ababa.

17h12 - Deon Hotto has put Namibia 1-0 up against Burundi in their Group K clash in Windhoek.

17h10 - Fitina Omborenga has added to Rwanda's advantage in Kigali - they now lead Mauritius 4-0 - while Ethiopia are back in front of Algeria at 2-1, with a goal early in the second half.

17h05 - Underway in the second halves of the Niger v Senegal and Ethiopia v Algeria clashes. We've also had kick-off in the Group A clash between Togo and Tunisia in Lome, as well as Namibia v Burundi in Windhoek in Group K. Confirmation of full time in Maseru, where Lesotho beat Seychelles 2-1. Tumelo Khutlang scored the winning goal for the hosts.

Tunisia's line-up: Aymen Mathlouthi, Ali Maaloul, Aymen Abdennour, Syam Ben Youssef, Bilel Mohsni, Hamza Mathlouthi, Mohamed Amine Ben Amor, Ferjani Sassi, Mohamed Ali Moncer, Mohamed Wael Larbi, Ahmed Akaïchi.

Togo's line-up: Mensah, Dakonam, Akakpo, Ouro-Akoriko, Mamah, Romao, Atakora, Zato, Dossevi, Adebayor, Fo Dah Laba.

16h55 - Senegal's second goal was netted by Pape Souare, and it's also half time in Niamey with a confirmed scored of 2-0 in favour of the visitors over hosts Niger.

16h49 - Half time in Addis Ababa, it's Ethiopia 1-1 Algeria. The North Africans' goal scorer has been confirmed as striker Islam Slimani. Senegal have also doubled their lead in Niamey - The Teranga Lions lead 2-0 over hosts Niger on the stroke of half time.

16h45 - Algeria have drawn level in Addis Ababa! It's 1-1 between Ethiopia and the Foxes, who scored on 43 minutes to cancel Getaneh Kebede's opener for the hosts.

16h40 - Back underway in the second half for Rwanda 3-0 Mauritius. Senegal remain 1-0 up away to Niger, while Algeria are down by the same score in Ethiopia.

16h35 - Senegal's goal was a penalty from Moussa Konate. Elsewhere, Lesotho have scored to claim a 2-1 lead over Seychelles in their group J clash in Maseru.

16h30 - Senegal lead 1-0 away to Niger - The Teranga Lions netted midway through the first half to claim the advantage. And Ethiopia have the lead over Algeria! The Wayla Antelopes looking to upset the mighty Fennec Foxes in Addis Ababa.

16h23 - And half time in Kigali, where hosts Rwanda are 3-0 up against Mauritius.

16h20 - Full time in Blantyre, Malawi 1-2 Guinea. The Syli National claim all three points on offer and move to five overall in the group, trailing leaders Zimbabwe by three.

16h12 - Two quick goals for Ernest Sugira sees Rwanda 3-0 up against Mauritius and well on course to claim all three points in their Group H match.

16h05 - Underway in our two 16h00 kick-offs, with Niger hosting Senegal in Group K and Algeria visiting Ethiopia in Group J. In Kigali, Rwanda have a 1-0 lead over Mauritius thanks to Savio Nshuti.

Algeria's line-up: M’bolhi, Zeffane, Ghoulam, Mandi, Medjani, Mesloub, Taïder, Feghouli, Mahrez , Brahimi, Slimani.

Senegal's line-up: Abdoulaye Diallo, Lamine Gassama, Kara Mbodji, Kalidou Koulibaly, Pape Ndiaye Souaré, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Cheikh Ndoye, Mohamed Diamé, Sadio Mané, Baye Oumar Niass, Mame Biram Diouf.

15h50 - Guinea have a 2-1 lead away to Malawi, with Idrissa Sylla scoring the visitors' second goal in Blantyre. In Maseru, it's 1-1 at half time between Lesotho and Seychelles.

15h35 - Underway in the Group H match between Rwanda an Mauritius in Kigali, while Malawi 1-1 Guinea is back underway in the second half of their match in Blantyre.

15h30 - Up to the half hour mark in Maseru, two quick goals sees Lesotho and Seychelles drawing 1-1.

15h16 - Half time in Blantyre, Guinea equalised in injury time just before the break, leaving the Group L match locked at 1-1. Mohamed Yattara was the Syli's goal scorer. In Maseru, it's still Lesotho 0-0 Seychelles.

15h05 - Chiukepo Msowoyab has scored to put Malawi 1-0 up against Guinea! Also now underway in Maseru for Lesotho v Seychelles in Group J.

14h50 - Twenty minutes played in Blantyre, still goalless between Malawi and Guinea. Now also 10 minutes to kick-off in Group H between Lesotho and Seychelles.

14h30 - Underway in Blantyre for our first AFCON qualifier on what promises to be a busy day. Here's the Guinea line-up: Naby Yattara, Alseny Camara, Fodé Camara, Pogba Florentin, Baissama Sankoh, Ibrahima Sory Sankhon, Guy Michel Landel, Ibrahima Traoré, Seydouba Soumah, Mohamed Lamine Yattara, Idrissa Sylla.

14h20 - Ten minutes to the scheduled kick-off of our first match of the day, with Malawi hosting Guinea in a Group L clash in Blantyre.