African World Cup qualifiers: Who were the winners and losers?

Ed Dove names and shames the best and worst of Africa’s national sides during the final gameweeks of a gruelling campaign.

Winners: Cameroon

The last of Africa’s ten teams to reach the playoffs, Cameroon were impressive at the Japoma Stadium in Douala on Tuesday evening, defeating Ivory Coast 1-0 to progress.

Karl Toko Ekambi was the hero with the only goal of the game, but the highlight of the evening was the collective exhale of relief and subsequent scenes of jubilation at the final whistle.

Samuel Eto’o was pictured celebrating furiously as the Indomitable Lions secured their passage, and indeed, it would have been a bitter humiliation had they already been out of the running by the time they were to host the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Losers: Ivory Coast

In contrast to Cameroon, the Elephants can rue their luck after falling from contention at the death with Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat.

Ivory Coast were sitting pretty in top spot heading into the group decider, knowing a draw would be enough, but they ultimately weren’t able to get the job done.

Serey Die remonstrated at the final whistle, while various players shed tears, and although Patrice Beaumelle bemoaned Africa’s under-representation at the World Cup, the Elephants only have themselves to blame.

Winners: Morocco

Morocco were already guaranteed a sport in the playoffs heading into the final day, but they rounded off their qualification campaign in style with a 3-0 thumping of Guinea.

The Atlas Lions ended the group stage with a 100-percent record—the only side in the whole of the World Cup qualifying process with this achievement—having bossed a tricky group stage.

The North Africans have a +19 goal difference, and even with some key players absent, they’re looking particularly strong at the moment.

Losers: Nigeria

The Super Eagles, by contrast, are not looking particularly credible, despite progressing to the playoffs.

Nigeria were held 1-1 at home by Cape Verde on Tuesday, and while it was enough to see them through, it has done little to quell discontent among supporters.

Surely, a team with the wealth of options that this Nigeria team have shouldn’t be labouring against Cape Verde in Lagos, yet the return of Odion Ighalo has done little to get the best out of this talented side.

Winners: Algeria

The Fennecs were held 2-2 by Burkina Faso in their final group game, and while it wasn’t a glorious result, it was enough to take them into the next round.

The draw extends Algeria’s undefeated streak—taking it to 33 matches—and puts them fourth in the list of all-time undefeated international sides.

Admittedly, there is a certain defensive fragility there, but no one will want to face the North Africans in the playoff round.

Losers: South Africa

As things stand, South Africa are out of the running for the World Cup after losing their decisive final qualifier against Ghana.

However, could the result be overturned?

Fifa have confirmed they are looking into the result—and specifically a soft penalty awarded to the Black Stars when Rushine de Reuck was alleged to have brought down Daniel Amartey in the box.

Andre Ayew’s penalty kick proved decisive on the day, but could Bafana Bafana be handed a reprieve when the matter is examined by world football’s governing body?

Source: goal.com