Algeria maintain perfect record, Sudan pull off shock win

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Jun 08, 2022. 23:55

There were victories for Algeria, Congo, Sudan and Mozambique in Wednesday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, although Gabon dropped two points.

Uganda and Niger kicked off proceedings at the St Mary’s Stadium, where Amadou Sabo (71′) cancelled out Milton Karisa’s 43rd-minute opener to clinch a 1-1 draw.

The Menas have now picked up two points from their opening two qualifiers to sit second in Group F, while the Cranes put their first point on the board.

Algeria lead the group with a perfect record after running out 2-0 victors over Tanzania at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.

A late goal in each half from Rami Bensebaini (45+2′) and Mohamed Amoura (89′) secured maximum points for the Fennec Foxes, leaving the Taifa Stars third in the group with a single point.

Elsewhere, Congo got their qualifying campaign up and running with a 1-0 win against Gambia at the Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat.

Antoine Makoumbou’s 74th-minute goal settled the Group G encounter in Brazzaville as the Red Devils bounced back from a heavy 4-0 defeat to Mali on matchday 1 to leapfrog the Scorpions into second place.

Gabon were pushed off top spot in Group I after being held to a goalless draw by Mauritania at the Stade de Franceville.

Both teams have collected four points from their opening two matches, but the Lions of Chinguetti moved to the summit due to a superior goal difference.

The surprise result of the day saw Sudan put their first points on the board in the group after recording a 2-1 victory over DR Congo at the Al-Hilal Stadium.

Waleed Bakhet Hamid gave the Secretarybirds a 16th-minute lead and Mohamed Abdelrahman sealed the win four minutes from time, although Jonathan Bolingi halved the deficit in the third minute of stoppage time.

Meanwhile, Mozambique remain unbeaten in Group L after Geny Catamo’s 38th-minute goal handed them a 1-0 success against Benin at the Stade de l’Amitie.

The Mambas closed within two points of Senegal in second place, with the Menas bring up the rear after suffering back-to-back defeats.

Wednesday’s AFCON qualifying results:

Uganda 1-1 Niger

Tanzania 0-2 Algeria

Congo 1-0 Gambia

Gabon 0-0 Mauritania

Sudan 2-1 DR Congo

Benin 0-1 Mozambique