CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – Cameroon beat Ivory Coast 1-0 in a contest of two continental heavyweights to affix Algeria, Nigeria and Tunisia in securing the final 4 locations in March’s African World Cup playoffs because the group section got here to a dramatic conclusion on Tuesday.
Karl Toko Ekambi scored for Cameroon as they snatched a slim house win over the Ivory Coast in a conflict stuffed with pressure however with out many clear probabilities.
Cameroon had been one level behind within the Group D standings however took high spot to advance to the playoffs.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana, again from a nine-month drug ban, made a number of key saves for Cameroon to assist them survive a late onslaught and maintain on for the win.
Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea have been stage on 10 factors in Group B once they kicked off their respective video games however Tunisia romped into an early three-goal lead earlier than beating Zambia 3-1 at house whereas Equatorial Guinea drew 1-1 away in Mauritania.
African champions Algeria and Nigeria made heavy work of reserving their locations, however house attracts proved sufficient for them additionally to progress.
Algeria have been twice forward in opposition to Burkina Faso, with Riyad Mahrez grabbing their first purpose, however a late penalty noticed them held to a 2-2 attract Blida. Algeria completed with 14 factors in Group A, two forward of the Burkinabe.
Nigeria scored within the first minute via Victor Osimhen however shortly gave up an equaliser to the Cape Verde Islands, who needed to win to take high spot in Group C. The 1-1 attract Lagos left Nigeria high on 13 factors and Cape Verde second on 11.
The 4 nations be a part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Mali, Morocco and Senegal within the playoffs.
The ten groups will probably be drawn into 5 two-legged ties with the combination winners representing Africa on the World Cup finals in Qatar.
A Confederation of African Soccer spokesperson advised Reuters on Tuesday that no date had but been set for the draw, however it might doubtless happen in January.
There have been additionally victories for Egypt, Liberia, Morocco and Mozambique on the final day of the group section competitors, however with the outcomes having no bearing on the ultimate locations.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah didn’t begin for Egypt, however got here on for the final half-hour as they beat Gabon 2-1 in Alexandria.
Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who will face Salah within the Premier League at Anfield on Saturday, didn’t play for Gabon, who have been already out of rivalry.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape City; Enhancing by Toby Davis)
