AFCON2023Q: Malawi, Egypt win as Central African Republic hold Ghana to a 1-1 draw
Malawi started their AFCON 2023 qualifications account on a good note as they beat Ethiopia 2-1 on Sunday.
Gabadinho Mhango’s two goals in the first half was enough to secure the maximum points for the Flames at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The Orlando Pirates striker netted the opening goal of the match as early as the 10th minute after converting a penalty kick to put the hosts ahead.
Mhango scored again from the spot to double the advantage for Malawi after defender Mignot Debebe committed a foul inside the penalty box leading to a caution.
Mhango nearly got a hat-trick in the second half but his effort was saved by Fasil Gebremichael before Abubeker Nasir scored from the spot to pull one back for Ethiopia in the 68th minute.
Egypt left it late as they pipped Guinea to 1-0 win at home in front of 40,000 spectators in the 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Egypt’s last competitive game against Guinea was a World Cup qualifier in 2013, which the Pharaohs won 4-2 at home.
substitute Mostafa Mohamed secured all three points for the Pharaohs with three minutes remaining. A half-hearted defensive clearance following a low cross found Mostafa, whose shot took a wicked deflection off the sliding Diakhaby and nestled into the bottom corner of the net.
Elsewhere in Group J, Botswana matched Tunisia boot-for-boot after holding the Carthage Eagles to a scoreless draw in a matchday two fixture at the Francistown Stadium.
The first half belonged to Tunisia whose dominance couldn’t pay off as Botswana shot stopper Goitseone Phoko made some key stops to deny them.
The Zebras came back from the break the stronger side but they could not exploit the Tunisian defence, having just a shot on target in the process.
Tunisia lead the Group with four points after two matches and will face their Northern African rivals Libya in the next two rounds in September.
Angola came from behind to earn a point against Madagascar to maintain their unbeaten start while Central African Republic rallied to hold the Black Stars to a 1-1 on Sunday.
The Palancas Negras kept their momentum intact after drawing 1-1 at the Stade Municipal Mahamasina in Antananarivo to go level on points with Ghana at the top of group.
The first-half was virtually balanced as both teams took an equal share of the ball possession and created few decent opportunities.
Madagascar went ahead in the game after 36 minutes following a goal by Njiva Rakotoharimalala but the lead was cancelled moments later through Gelson Dala.
The Palancas Negras were the better team in the second half having seen more of the ball but failed to put the ball past goalkeeper Nina Razakanirina.
Razakanirina made six important saves to keep the match at 1-1 in the end as the Barea picked their first point in the qualifications.
Meanwhile, Central African Republic punched above themselves to claim a point against Ghana after holding them to a 1-1 stalemate in the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier.
The Wild Beasts equalised before halftime after conceding the first goal after 17 minutes into the match at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda, Angola.
The Black Stars drew the first blood of the match in the 17th minute with a beautiful goal from Mohammed Kudus whose curled shot from the edge of the box beat goalkeeper Aladun Kalimba.
Central Africa levelled matters four minutes from recess after Karl Namnganda got the equalising with a powerful left shot after being played through by Brad Thomas Pirioua.
The second half of the encounter produced no goals as both teams failed to register a single shot on target.
Ghana continue to lead Group E on goals difference as they are level on four points with Angola on four points while Central Africa and Madagascar have one point apiece.
Angola faces Ghana in a double-header in matchday three and four in September while Madagascar will have to tackle Central African Republic.
