Match Day 5 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers brought thrilling contests: Sierra Leone won against Guinea-Bissau, Zimbabwe drew with Benin after a two-goal deficit, Cape Verde defeated Mauritius with a late goal, and Namibia achieved an away victory against Malawi. The results are reshaping the standings in the respective groups.
On Thursday, March 20, the fifth match day of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers showcased several competitive matches. Notably, Zimbabwe demonstrated resilience by overcoming a two-goal deficit to secure a draw against Benin, while Namibia achieved a significant away victory against Malawi in a tightly contested match.
In Group A, Sierra Leone claimed a 3-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau, propelling them into second place behind leaders Egypt. Mustapha Bundu opened the scoring, followed by Musa Kamara adding a second goal. Although Tamble Monteiro temporarily narrowed the gap for Guinea-Bissau, Ibrahim Turay’s late goal sealed the victory for Sierra Leone.
Group C featured a remarkable performance by Zimbabwe, who, after trailing 2-0, staged a comeback to draw against Benin. After Steve Mounie opened the scoring for Benin, goalkeeper errors led to their two-goal lead. However, Zimbabwe’s Marshal Munetsi pulled one back just before halftime, followed by Knowledge Musona equalizing in the second half, resulting in a point shared between the sides.
Cape Verde triumphed late in their match against Mauritius, with Yannick Semedo scoring in the 84th minute. This victory placed Cape Verde at the top of Group D, after capitalizing on a late defensive lapse by their opponents.
In Group H, Namibia secured a vital away win, courtesy of Prins Tjiueza’s goal just before halftime against Malawi. This victory marked Namibia’s third win in the group, propelling them to second place, while Malawi lingered near the bottom, jeopardizing their chances of qualification for the next round.
The FIFA World Cup Qualifiers continue to deliver thrilling matches, highlighted by Zimbabwe’s commendable comeback against Benin, Sierra Leone’s rise after defeating Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde’s late victory over Mauritius, and Namibia’s crucial triumph against Malawi. Each team is intensifying their efforts as they jockey for favorable standings in their respective groups, emphasizing the competitive spirit of these qualifiers.
Original Source: www.cafonline.com
