2022 World Cup: Senegal and Morocco first teams through to Africa’s play-offs

Morocco and Senegal became the first teams through to Africa’s play-offs for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after winning their qualifiers on Tuesday.

Senegal earned their place by beating Namibia 3-1 on Tuesday, in a match played in Soweto, South Africa, since Namibia’s home stadium in Windhoek has been declared unfit to host matches.

Turkey-based forward Famara Diedhiou was the hero, outshining Sadio Mane and others as he scored once in the first half and twice in the second to register his second hat-trick for Senegal.

Peter Shalulile sent a low shot into the back of Edouard Mendy’s net after Diedhiou’s headed opener to give the Namibians brief hope of holding on against the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up.

Diedhiou restored Senegal’s lead with another header and, after the Brave Warriors had hit the bar, the Alanyaspor man tapped in Mane’s cross to seal victory.

The win takes Senegal to 12 points in Group H, with Namibia (four points) out of the running along with Togo (four) and Congo (two).

Togo earned their first win in the group stage as they beat hosts Congo 2-1 in Brazzaville, with both teams knowing they had no chance of progressing following Senegal’s win.

The visitors scored just two minutes before half-time with Fessou ‘Meme’ Placca heading home a free-kick from Marouf Tchakei.

The hosts equalised in the 71st minute through Guy Mbenza, but Belgium-based Kevin Denkey restored Togo’s lead just seven minutes later.

The winners of Africa’s ten qualifying groups will contest the play-offs next March, whereupon the continent’s five representatives in Qatar will be determined.

Morocco move on

Morocco joined Senegal in the play-offs as they beat hosts Guinea 4-1, in a Group I game that was postponed from last month following the coup in the Guinean capital Conakry.

Owing to the uncertain political situation in Guinea, the tie was moved by the Confederation of African Football to the Moroccan capital Rabat

Guinea were without their coach Didier Six on the touchline once again after the former France international was hospitalised with meningitis during the team’s time in Morocco, he also missed Friday’s 2-2 draw with Sudan.

Turkey-based Ayoub El Kaabi scored Morocco’s opener in the 21st minute – his fourth in the three matches of this international window.

Ten minutes later a long-rage effort from Mamadou Kane, who plays in Azerbaijan, pulled the Syli Nationale level.

Substitute Selim Amallah restored Morocco’s lead with goals either side of half-time and the win was sealed by former Southampton midfielder Soufiane Boufal with a minute left on the clock.

The result means that even before November’s final two qualifiers Guinea, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau are unable to progress to the final play-off phase.

source: BBC