World Cup qualifying- Africa preview

[David Votoupal]

To be played on March 28 and 29

Group 1
Togo v Cameroon
Morocco v Gabon

Group 2
Kenya v Tunisia
Mozambique v Nigeria

Group 3
Rwanda v Algeria
Egypt v Zambia

Group 4
Sudan v Mali
Ghana v Benin

Africa adopted Asia's three-stage qualifying format. The new format was criticised for logistics given the conditions in Africa, but it proved a hit- revealing a depth of quality in African football bettered only by Europe and South America, and the shock eliminations of Senegal, Angola and DR Congo among other things. It also doubles as the 2010 Nations Cup qualifiers- hence South Africa took part in the first stage and failed miserably, pointing to a potential disaster in a World Cup they host.

It's still all very unpredictable- who knows what's going to happen in this one!

 

[Paolo]

I'm expecting big things from Gabon

 

[fedelta]

I'm expecting big things from Gabon

will lose to Morocco first game imo

 

[marinermick]

I'm expecting big things from Gabon

tough ask in the african "group of death"

though rwanda and zambia looks to be a bigger group of death

 

[Part_Timer]

Tunisia - Dark horse heard it here first

 

[loyalist]

I was very shocked that a powerhouse such as Dr Congo was knocked out early!
Just thinking about it has kept me up many a night

 

[David Votoupal]

Group A
Togo 1 Cameroon 0
Morocco 1 Gabon 2

Group B
Kenya 1 Tunisia 2

Group C
Rwanda 0 Algeria 0

Group D
Sudan 1 Mali 1

Group E
Burkina Faso 4 Guinea 2

 

[loyalist]

Burkina Faso 4 Guinea 2

omfg!

 

[fedelta]

I'm expecting big things from Gabon

will lose to Morocco first game imo

Group A
Morocco 1 Gabon 2

omgz bullshit!

 

[loyalist]

can confirm keensy had $100 on Gabon paying $13.50
congrats mate

 

[fedelta]

i had $4k on Morocco

 

[Part_Timer]

bl u tunisia dark horse continues on

 

[Peachos]

can confirm keensy had $100 on Gabon paying $13.50
congrats mate

there is obviously match-fixing there

 

[fedelta]

looking for the big upset here

Ivory Coast $1.15
Malawi         $11.00

 

[Omni]

Quite simply amazing the African teams we have left, going to be a fun world cup I think!

 

[4zamariners]

can confirm keensy had $100 on Gabon paying $13.50
congrats mate

there is obviously match-fixing there

after last nights results i have no doubt
kents cost me a mint

 

[Kareem]

nigeria, ivory coast, cameroon and... togo???

Egypt with a unbelievable and partly lucky 2-0 win vs Algeria, to force a playoff tie in nuetral Sudan on Wednesday!!!
Scored the first goal in 2nd minute.
Didnt score the 2nd goal, until the 95th minute!
A header past the outstretched team!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!
I swear the celebrations are bigger than NZ's. Alas Egypt is a football mad nation.
But lol...we still have the playoff to contend with on Wednesday, celebrating should wait until then IF we qualify!

Funny scenes here at uni with my Egyptian jersey! Took my shirt off to celebrate after running around the room!

Either we go on to win on Wednesday, or we show up majorly washed up and get hammerred.
I wonder how much a ticket to Sudan is?

Man this feeling right now. Nothing like this feeling since Uruguay...
This has been only 20 years since a World Cup (compared to longer absences by Aus + NZ)
But

The street celebrations WOW!
The flares WOW!
The dancing, the clapping, the beeping horns, I wish I was there right now!

To think we were 1 min 20 secs away from elimination. This is what dreams are made of!

 

[Kareem]

on a sidenote.
SUCKED IN Algeria! Time-wasting tactics at its best. So many injuries...but that is the norm I suppose when u are somewhat leading...but 6 mins stoppage time was the result, and we made them pay!
Our GK was outstanding btw...could have been 2-2. I'm still buzzing!

 

[serious14]

Holy shit man - I just read why there needs to be a playoff....... and to win 2-0 to force said playoff _in the 95th minute_?!? 

Can only imagine the carnage in the stadium when that goal was scored.  ;D

*edit*  Here we go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oML_1_cYZdM

 

[Kareem]

yea
i dunno last time such a playoff happened?
It's one of those things, your lie- that will never happened

Man stadium erupted. Chatting online to my cousin. The celebrations are just crazy over there.

In reference to the carnage...straight after kickoff following 2nd goal. The pitch was smoke...flares lol
And there are now the street fires brewing...the music! It means so much for the public.

And if we lose on Wednesday...it will be a sad l & twisted lol