AFCON 2023 (Q): Bounedjah, Mafouta, Guinea... all you need to know from today's games

Algeria suffered in 2022. Baghdad Bounedjah even more so. The Al Sadd striker was the key man in the 2019 AFCON triumph with his mysterious goal in the final against Senegal (1-0), but had not found the net for the Fennecs A since November 2021. That too came in a win over Niger (4-0) in 2022 World Cup qualifying. Against the same opponents, he has ended his very long drought. It took him only six minutes to score the only goal of the game, played in Tunis (1-0). An important strike, as it lets Algeria complete a perfect set of results after four matchdays and qualify for the next AFCON, which will take place in Côte d'Ivoire.

Mafouta has the Fauves dreaming

The Central African Republic can also dream of securing an invitation to the big occasion of continental football, scheduled for next January. It would be a first for the Fauves, who have just beaten Madagascar twice in a week. Both wins bear the stamp of Louis Mafouta. After a brace in the first leg (3-0), the Quevilly (French L2) striker scored both goals in the win (2-0) on Monday 27 March. He is now just one goal behind the top scorers in these AFCON 2023 qualifiers: Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) and Sadio Mané (Senegal). The CAR (7 pts), now second in group E behind Ghana (8 pts), need just a win against Angola next June on matchday 5 to book their ticket.

https://twitter.com/CAF_Online/status/1640452311389437954?s=20

Nigeria get revenge on Guinea-Bissau

Qualification for AFCON 2023 is not yet secured for Nigeria, but the Super Eagles have still taken a big step towards their goal with a 1-0 win. José Peseiro's men above all put things right after their defeat against the same Guinea-Bissau three days earlier. They had to rely on a Moses Simon penalty to break the deadlock (30th). With this result, they go back top of group A on 9 points, ahead of Guinea-Bissau on 7. With Sierra Leone and São Tomé and Príncipe as their opponents in the last two matchdays, qualification is edging closer for both the Nigerians and the Bissau-Guineans.

A good day for the travellers

Like Nigeria, Guinea won away from home. The Syli took the three points on Ethiopia's turf (3-2). Naby Keita put his side on the right track by opening the scoring as early as the 4th minute. And when Markineh levelled for Ethiopia (1-1, 34th), the Liverpool midfielder set up the 2-1 goal for Ilaix Moriba (42nd). It is the Valencia midfielder's first goal for his country. He too would turn provider for Morgan Guilavogui (3-1, 70th). Kitika Jemma pulled one back in added time (3-2). In this group D, Guinea (9 pts) go provisionally ahead of Egypt (6 pts), who travel to Malawi (3 pts) on Tuesday. Ethiopia (3 pts) are bottom.

Sudan blow group I wide open

In the end, of the six matches played on Monday, only the CAR and Sudan won at home. The Sudanese beat Gabon 1-0 after losing by the same score in Franceville. That throws this group wide open, with all four nations still able to hope to be in Côte d'Ivoire early next year. Leaders Gabon have 7 points, ahead of their conquerors of the day Sudan (6 pts). Mauritania (4 pts) and DR Congo (3 pts) meet on Tuesday in Noua

AFCON 2023 (Q): the schedule and results of matchdays 3 and 4