Benin at the helm of Group J, Namibia and Congo back to back
Published on :
After the draw between the DRC and Tanzania, Benin went to seek away victory against Madagascar, Thursday, September 2 (1-0). Steve Mounié’s goal allows the Squirrels to tackle the group’s lead. In Group H, Namibians and Congolese could not decide (1-1).
Good start for Benin in these qualifiers of the World Cup 2022. Very good start even, with a victory acquired away, in Antananarivo. The Squirrels took over Madagascar, and first place in Group J at the same time. In short, an ideal day.
Dominators on the ground, the Beninese quickly found the opening thanks to their forward striker, Steve Mounié. The Brest player unblocked the situation by heading back to a well-shot corner (22nd). This is his 9th goal with the national team: the one who wears the n ° 9 is only one length behind the fourth top scorer in the history of Benin, Mickaël Poté (the best of all, Stéphane Sessègnon, counts 24 goals).
Eric Rabesandratana, who replaced Nicolas Dupuy as manager in April, sought a solution to return, but he failed. Ses Barea, despite a breathtaking end to the match, bowed for their first match at their head. With 3 points, Benin is alone at the top of group J after the first day ahead of Tanzania and DRC (1 point). Madagascar is fourth and last with no points on the clock. Next meetings: Benin-DRC in Cotonou on September 6 and Tanzania-Madagascar in Dar es Salaam on September 7.
Namibia and Congo leave Senegal in the lead
In Group H, this first day played over two days smiled in Senegal. The vice-champions of Africa, winners of Togo on Wednesday thanks to Sadio Mané and Abdou Diallo (2-0), remain alone in the lead after the draw between Namibia and Congo-Brazzaville on Thursday (1-1).
The Namibian Brave Warriors struck first at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, where CAF ordered the match to be held. After two very hot chances in their favor, they opened the scoring thanks to Vetunuavi Charles Hambira with a header (24th). A player for TS Sporting, a South African club, the defender may have found inspiration in a land he knows well.
But after the break, the Congolese equalized through Guy Mbenza. Silvère Ganvoula first unleashed a strike that Lloyd Junior Kazapua, the Namibian goalkeeper, could only repel. Guy Mbenza followed well and slid the ball out of his reach (57th). Despite chances on both sides, no other goal was scored. Next meetings: Togo-Namibia in Lomé on September 5 and Congo-Senegal in Brazzaville on September 7.
► To (re) read: 2022 World Cup: Africa qualifying schedule and results
