Mixed fortunes for Africa’s World Cup-bound teams

By Daily Sports on March 28, 2018

Four of Africa’s five World Cup-bound teams replicated their results in last weekend's friendly fixtures on Tuesday as their mixed preparations for this summer's showpiece in Russia continue.

Tunisia and Morocco built on their victories last week with triumphs over Costa Rica and Uzbekistan respectively, while Senegal were again held – drawing 0-0 with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Egypt would have been desperate to bounce back from their late 2-1 defeat by Portugal with a victory, but were beaten 1-0 by Greece in a result that ought to come as a concern for Hector Cuper as the World Cup looms.

Tunisia saw off Iran 1-0 last week when Wahbi Khazri’s footwork and quick thinking forged a decisive opening in the Asian heavyweights’ defence.

It was a similar story on Tuesday in Nice, as the Stade Rennais attacker made it two wins out of two for the Carthage Eagles when he netted the only goal of the game against Costa Rica.

The 27-year-old was arguably lucky to still be on the pitch after kicking out at Kendall Waston during an ill-tempered encounter, but settled the contest from close range in the 36th minute after a fortunate rebound off the goalkeeper.

Morocco can also look back on a promising international break after making it two wins out of two, serving a reminder that they will represent stiff competition for Spain and Portugal in Group B.

After a somewhat fortune victory over Serbia last week, they cruised past Uzbekistan 2-0 in a convincing display in Casablanca.

Ayoub El Kaabi, the hero of the victorious African Nations Championship campaign, repaid Herve Renard’s faith with a third-minute goal, before Manuel da Costa added a second before the break.

This was an encouraging showing from a largely second-string Morocco side, with their French coach facing some tricky decisions regarding squad selection between now and June.

In Switzerland, Egypt will have taken many positives from their narrow 2-1 defeat by a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Poland on Friday, but will have been disappointed with their inability to trouble a Greek side who were comfortably outclassed by Croatia in their UEFA World Cup playoff.

Nikolaos Karelis netted the winner in the 30th minute, as Egypt again demonstrated how limited they are without Mohamed Salah.

Finally, it’s been a troubled international break for Senegal, who have lost both Idrissa Gueye and Cheikhou Kouyate to injury and illness, adding to the absence of Kara Mbodji due to a long-standing knee problem.

Keita Balde also missed out as Senegal delivered a disjointed display in a low-key contest in Bosnia, being held to a 0-0 draw. (ESPN)

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 28, 2018


 

You may also like...
Anam Imo Inspires Rosengard’s Win over Djurgarden

Shell Cup scouts for talents

West Ham ready to make loss in shipping...

How I Moved On After Chelsea Miss —...

Sterling Hits Back At Critics

Rangers Stun Porto In Europa League

 

Latest News War in Morocco – An AFCON with a special spin Super Eagles Starting XI Versus Morocco Revealed As Chelle Makes One Critical Change Morocco Coach Sounds Alarm: Nigeria’s Iwobi, Osimhen & Lookman Are Real Threats Ahead of AFCON Semis! Super Eagles Training Reports – Chelle Hints At Likely Replacement For Suspended Ndidi In Semi Final ‘I’ll Go to the Mosque and Pray if We Face Penalties Against Morocco’ — Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle Moroccan Coach Sends A Strong Warning Message To Nigeria Ahead Of Their AFCON Clash On Wednesday AFCON: Pressure is on Morocco to beat Super Eagles — Eric Chelle AFCON: Super Eagles receive injury boosts ahead of Morocco clash 2027 AFCON prelims qualifiers draw holds today Regragui rejects refs bias claims ahead Nigeria showdown Adams confident ahead Morocco clash Eagles train behind closed doors in Rabat

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (63,467 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,754 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,652 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,322 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,247 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,161 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,023 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,581 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,762 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,289 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,678 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,149 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media