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CAPE TOWN. – Gabon, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe join 12 other countries in booking spots at the next Africa Cup of Nations finals by yesterday, some without even playing in the latest qualifiers.
Other countries include Morocco (hosts), Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Senegal and Zambia.
Tunisia snatched a stoppage time goal from Ali El Abdi’s diving header to edge Madagascar 3-2 in neutral Pretoria and make sure they will finish in the top two places in Group A.
That extended to 18 their record run of successive appearances at the finals, to be hosted in Morocco next year.
A 1-0 win for Libya away in Rwanda meant Nigeria were guaranteed a top two finish in Group D one hour before they kicked off their own match against Benin in Abidjan, but the Super Eagles were then held to a 1-1 draw.
Defender Mohamed Tijani’s 16th minute goal put Benin on course to qualify but they will now have to wait after a late equaliser from Victor Osimhen spared Nigeria’s blushes.
Gabon qualified from Group B when their closest challengers, the Central African Republic, went down 1-0 to Lesotho. The result confirmed a top two finish for Gabon with two games still to play.
South Africa and Uganda also advanced without kicking a ball and are assured the top two places in Group K after Congo lost 3-2 in South Sudan.
It was the first points of the campaign for Africa’s newest country, who scored a late winner in Juba from Data Elly.
Also on Thursday, Ghana’s slim hopes of extending their run of 10 successive finals appearances were handed a lifeline when Sudan were subjected to a 4-0 drubbing by Niger.
Sudan needed only a draw to eliminate Ghana from the running in Group F but suffered stage fright in Lome and were 3-0 down by halftime, two of the goals coming from Ghana-born Daniel Sosah.
Ghana, however, must still win their last two fixtures, away in Angola yesterday and at home to Niger on Monday. Even then, if Sudan take a point from their last game against already-qualified Angola on Monday, Ghana will be out. – Reuters.
Online Reporter