Day 5 of the qualifiers for the 2023 AFCON in Côte d'Ivoire got underway on Wednesday 14 June. There were 3 matches on the programme, South Sudan-Gambia, Sao Tome and Principe-Guinea Bissau and Guinea Conakry-Egypt. The Pharaohs recorded a victory that sealed their qualification for the African Cup of Nations.
South Sudan-Gambia: stoppage time full of twists and turns
In a curtain-raiser, Gambia outclassed South Sudan (2-3). But how hard it was. Gambia's victory came at the very end of the match. The Scorpions attacked the match with all guns blazing. They opened the scoring in the 4th minute through Rehan Angier. But they were pegged back by the home side in the 21st minute. The score remained level until the 62nd minute. At that precise moment, Ablie Jallow scored the second goal to give Gambia the lead. Just when you thought the game was over, the Sudanese came back in the 91st minute and probably thought they had a draw on their hands.
📹 HIGHLIGHTS: 🇸🇸 2-3 🇬🇲
The Gambia grab a very late winner to beat South Sudan and boost their #TotalEnergiesAFCON chances 💪#TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 | @TheGambiaFF pic.twitter.com/Uw61tiF2xu
— CAF (@CAF_Online) June 14, 2023
But the crazy scenario of the match continued, with Gambia scoring again in the 96th minute (Hamza Barry) to secure a precious victory in the race for qualification. The Gambians are provisionally in second place in Group G (9 points) behind Mali, who have the same number of points and a game in hand.
Congo Brazza are in 3rd place with 6 points and a game in hand. South Sudan close the gap with 3 points. This group will be indecisive right to the end, with the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers likely to come down to the final matchday. Only Mali could validate their qualification by winning against Congo, but if they don't, there will be a lot of calculations on Matchday 6.
Sao Tome and Principe-Guinea-Bissau, logic respected
Guinea-Bissau won against Sao Tomé and Principe, but not without a struggle. The minnows of the group held Guinea Bissau to a draw. The Djurtus only managed to score in the 55th minute through Zinho Gano. The score did not change in this close match. With this victory, Guinea-Bissau are provisionally in 1st place with 10 points in these CAN 2023 qualifiers. They are provisionally in the lead. Nigeria, who meet Sierra Leone on Sunday 18, can clinch their place this Sunday. All they need is a draw in Freetown on Sunday 18 June. A result other than a defeat for the Super Eagles will also qualify Guinea-Bissau.
📹 HIGHLIGHTS: 🇬🇳 1-2 🇪🇬
Egypt come from behind to secure their #TotalEnergiesAFCON qualification against Guinea 🎫#TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 | @EFA pic.twitter.com/krrUtDUhee
— CAF (@CAF_Online) June 14, 2023
