Match Day 5 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers featured thrilling matches with notable ups and downs. Sierra Leone triumphed over Guinea-Bissau, Zimbabwe came back to draw against Benin, Cape Verde earned victory against Mauritius, and Namibia secured an away win over Malawi, all intensifying the qualification race for the World Cup.
On Thursday, March 20, during Match Day 5 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, several thrilling matches unfolded, affecting the progress of various teams in their respective groups. Notably, a strong performance in the late afternoon matches highlighted the intensity of the competition as teams vie for a spot in the upcoming World Cup.
In Group A, Sierra Leone secured a 3-1 victory against Guinea-Bissau, propelling them to second place behind Egypt. Mustapha Bundu opened the scoring in the 19th minute, followed by Musa Kamara’s goal shortly after the hour. Although Tamble Monteiro pulled one back for Guinea-Bissau, Ibrahim Turay netted the third for Sierra Leone in the closing minutes to seal their triumph.
Group C witnessed Zimbabwe displaying remarkable resilience as they came from behind to draw with Benin. Steve Mounie put Benin ahead early, and Dodo Dokou extended their lead before halftime. However, Zimbabwe’s Marshal Munetsi replied just before the break, and Knowledge Musona equalized shortly after halftime. This draw leaves Benin atop Group C while Zimbabwe remains at the bottom.
Group D saw Cape Verde clinch a late victory over Mauritius with an 84th-minute goal from Yannick Semedo. After a goalless match for much of the time, Semedo capitalized on a late lapse in concentration, earning Cape Verde three crucial points and moving them ahead of Cameroon, who dropped points against Eswatini.
Finally, in Group H, Namibia achieved an important away win against Malawi, thanks to Prins Tjiueza’s well-placed strike in the 40th minute from a Peter Shalulile assist. This victory marked Namibia’s third success in the group, elevating them to second place, while Malawi now finds itself struggling in fifth, diminishing their qualification hopes.
The latest round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers showcased notable performances, with Sierra Leone rising in Group A, Zimbabwe demonstrating resilience in Group C by salvaging a draw, while Cape Verde and Namibia secured essential victories in their respective groups. The results have intensified the race for qualification as teams jockey for position in this global tournament. The competition is heating up as teams strive for a place in the prestigious event, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the qualifiers.
Original Source: www.cafonline.com
