Senegal, Algeria qualify for AFCON

Algerian has joined Senegal as teams that have secured the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals ticket.

The defending champions qualified for the 2022 showpiece despite dropping a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Zimbabwe away in Harare on Monday. They are the third to qualify, joining Egypt and hosts Cameroon.

Sadio Mane’s solitary striker against Guinea-Bissau was enough to secure the African Nations Cup ticket on Sunday for the Teranga Lions. They are the second qualifiers for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals after hosts Cameroon.

Zimbabwe attempted to revive their hope of qualification through goals from Knowledge Musona and Prince Dube to have a comeback draw, but it wasn’t enough to stop the defending champions from being part of the contingents to Cameroon.

Algeria now tops the group with ten points while Zimbabwe remains second with five with two rounds of matches remaining.

Botswana defeated Zambia 1-0 in the other group match, which leaves a tight ending for the single remaining slot in Group H.

Mosha Gaolaolwe’s solitary strike in Francistown was enough to secure a maximum point for the hosts, who picked their first win of the qualifiers and move to third in Group H.

Despite scoring in the sixth minute, The Zebras guided the lead jealously to revive their hopes of qualification.

They currently have four points after a home win, one draw, and two losses – a point behind second-placed Zimbabwe with two rounds of matches left.

Zambia has dropped bottom with three points, and their final two matches at home against Algeria and away to Botswana will determine their fate.

Algeria was ahead with goals from Andy Delort and Riyad Mahrez, but the hosts pushed for a fight to earn a draw against the Desert Foxes, which took them to five in Group H. The result means that Algeria finally concluded their qualification business after matchday four.

This also sees the unbeaten run of Algerian extended to 22 games. Knowing that Zimbabwe needs a win to get their campaign back on track, the reigning African champions opted for a reserved approach start to the game and eventually got the job done.

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed