Match Day 5 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers featured exciting results, with Sierra Leone’s win over Guinea-Bissau, Zimbabwe’s comeback to draw against Benin, Cape Verde’s late victory against Mauritius, and Namibia’s crucial win over Malawi, influencing the standings in their respective groups significantly.
Match Day 5 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on Thursday, March 20, featured compelling fixtures that enhanced the competition. The late afternoon encounters yielded notable results in the quest for qualification to the FIFA World Cup across various groups.
In Group A, Sierra Leone triumphed with a 3-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau, elevating them to second place behind Egypt. Mustapha Bundu initiated scoring in the 19th minute, followed by Musa Kamara’s goal just after the hour mark. Despite a goal from Tamble Monteiro to narrow the deficit, Sierra Leone sealed their win with a third goal from Ibrahim Turay.
Group C saw Zimbabwe display remarkable resilience by salvaging a point against Benin, after initially trailing 2-0. Steve Mounie scored early for Benin, and Dodo Dokou extended the lead before halftime. However, Zimbabwe’s Marshal Munetsi reduced the gap just before the break, paving the way for Knowledge Musona’s equalizer in the second half, resulting in a 2-2 draw that places Benin atop the group and leaves Zimbabwe at the bottom.
Cape Verde secured a late victory in Group D with an 84th-minute goal from Yannick Semedo against Mauritius. The goal capitalized on fleeting concentration from Mauritius, allowing Cape Verde to ascend to the top of Group D, leaving Cameroon trailing after their recent points drop against Eswatini.
In Group H, Namibia achieved a significant 1-0 away win against Malawi, thanks to a composed strike from Prins Tjiueza in the 40th minute. This victory allows Namibia to rise to second place, while Malawi’s position deteriorates to fifth, jeopardizing their qualification chances.
The matches from Match Day 5 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers have set the stage for an intense competition among African nations, with Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Cape Verde, and Namibia showcasing their determination in their respective groups. While Sierra Leone and Namibia celebrate crucial victories, Zimbabwe’s resilience highlights their potential for redemption in future matches. The qualifiers continue to promise thrilling encounters as teams strive for a coveted spot in the World Cup.
Original Source: www.cafonline.com
