Senegal 2, DR Congo 0
New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul and Senegal booked an early ticket to next year’s African Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win over DR Congo.
Club Lille forward Moussa Sow scored on each side of halftime, finding the net in the 35th and 52nd minutes to see the Lions of Teranga through to the next round with a match remaining in Group E.
Senegal’s final group match will be against cellar-dwellars Mauritius, who have yet to gather any points.
Sierra Leone 2, Egypt 1
Sporting Kansas City forward Kei Kamara and Sierra Leone closed the door on Egypt’s hopes of defending their African Cup of Nations crown, beating a U-23-heavy Pharoahs squad 2-1.
Sheriff Suma put Sierra Leone ahead in the 14th minute and Mohsen Maruwen equalized for Egypt right before the break, but new Celtic signing Mohamed Bangura scored a penalty in stoppage time to give the Leone Stars the full three points.
With the loss, Egypt will finish at the bottom of Group G regardless of the result of their final game vs. Niger. It’s the first time in 30 years that the seven-time AFCON champs have failed to qualify for the tournament.
Sierra Leone, meanwhile, temporarily pulled even with group leaders South Africa, who face Niger on Sunday.
Gambia 0, Namibia 1
Vancouver Whitecaps Designated Player Mustapha Jarju, Colorado Rapids speed demon Sanna Nyassi, and New England’s Kenny Mansally were unable to help Gambia prevent the upset suffered at the hands of Namibia in an African Cup of Nations qualifier in Group F.
The Scorpions dominated the majority of the match, but a Namibia counterattack in the 83rd-minute resulted in a goal from Tangeni Shipahu. The tally gave the Brave Warriors their first three points in their last match of the qualifiers.
Gambia – currently level on points with Nambia – will go for their qualification against Burkina Faso in their final group match.
Tanzania 1, Algeria 1
Whitecaps midfielder Nizar Khalfan and Tanzania did little to help their help their hopes of qualifying for the African Cup of Nations with a draw against Algeria.
Khalfan set up Mbwana Samatta in the 22nd minute for the opening goal of the match, but the Fennec Foxes pulled level via Hameur Bouazza in the 56th minute.
Tanzania remain in third place of Group D with five points, two behind both Morocco and Central African Republic, who play for the outright lead and early qualification on Sunday.
