2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Third Round
The third round of CAF matches for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification was played from 7 October 2016 to 14 November 2017.
Format
A total of 20 teams which had advanced from the second round were drawn into five groups of four teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches. The winners of each group qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Seeding
The draw for the third round was held on 24 June 2016, 17:00 EET (UTC+2), at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.[1]
The seedings – initially released on 8 June 2016 – were based on a special edition of the FIFA World Rankings that included all matches up to 7 June 2016. This allowed the rankings to include results of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification games played between 3–5 June 2016.[2] However, following a complaint by the Egyptian Football Association, it was reported that a further special ranking would be used.[3] This seeding was released on 21 June.[4] Following further complaints,[5] the Emergency Bureau for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers reversed the change, and restored the initial special rankings.[6]
- Pot 1 contained the teams ranked 1–5.
- Pot 2 contained the teams ranked 6–10.
- Pot 3 contained the teams ranked 11–15.
- Pot 4 contained the teams ranked 16–20.
Each group contained one team from each of the four pots. The fixtures of each group were decided based on the respective draw position of each team, which was decided by drawing a ball with position numbers 1–4.[7]
Note: Bolded teams qualified for the World Cup.
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
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Groups
| 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification tiebreakers |
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In league format, the ranking of teams in each group is based on the following criteria (regulations Articles 20.6 and 20.7):[8]
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Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |  |
 |
 |
 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tunisia |
6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 14 | Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup | — | 2–1 | 0–0 | 2–0 | |
| 2 | DR Congo |
6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 7 | +7 | 13 | 2–2 | — | 4–0 | 3–1 | ||
| 3 | Libya |
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 10 | −6 | 4 | 0–1 | 1–2 | — | 0–1 | ||
| 4 | Guinea |
6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 14 | −8 | 3 | 1–4 | 1–2 | 3–2 | — |
| Tunisia | 2–0 | Guinea |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF) |
| Guinea | 3–2 | Libya |
|---|---|---|
|
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| Libya | 1–0 | Guinea |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF) |
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Abou Coulibaly (Ivory Coast)
| Libya | 1–2 | DR Congo |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF) |
Attendance: 750
Referee: Malang Diedhiou (Senegal)
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |  |
 |
 |
 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria |
6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 6 | +5 | 13 | Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup | — | 1–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | |
| 2 | Zambia |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 8 | 1–2 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | ||
| 3 | Cameroon |
6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 9 | −2 | 7 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | ||
| 4 | Algeria |
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 10 | −4 | 4 | 3–0[lower-alpha 1] | 0–1 | 1–1 | — |
- FIFA awarded Algeria a 3–0 win as a result of Nigeria fielding the ineligible player Shehu Abdullahi, after the match had ended in a 1–1 draw. Abdullahi failed to serve a one-game ban after receiving two yellow cards in the qualifying competition.[9]
| Algeria | 1–1 | Cameroon |
|---|---|---|
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| Algeria | 0–1 | Zambia |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (CAF) |
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| Nigeria | 1–0 | Zambia |
|---|---|---|
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| Algeria | 3–0 Awarded[note 2] | Nigeria |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (CAF) |
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| Zambia | 2–2 | Cameroon |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (CAF) |
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Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |  |
 |
 |
 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morocco |
6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | +11 | 12 | Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup | — | 0–0 | 6–0 | 3–0 | |
| 2 | Ivory Coast |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 8 | 0–2 | — | 3–1 | 1–2 | ||
| 3 | Mali |
6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 | −6 | 6 | 0–0 | 0–0 | — | 0–0 | ||
| 4 | Gabon |
6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | −7 | 6 | 0–0 | 0–3 | 0–1 | — |
| Ivory Coast | 3–1 | Mali |
|---|---|---|
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Report (FIFA) Report (CAF) |
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| Morocco | 3–0 | Gabon |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF) |
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |  |
 |
 |
 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Senegal |
6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 14 | Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup | — | 0–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | |
| 2 | Burkina Faso |
6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 6 | +4 | 9 | 2–2 | — | 4–0 | 1–1 | ||
| 3 | Cape Verde |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 12 | −8 | 6 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | 2–1 | ||
| 4 | South Africa |
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 10 | −3 | 4 | 0–2[lower-alpha 1] | 3–1 | 1–2 | — |
- FIFA ordered a replay of the original South Africa v Senegal match after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the lifetime ban of match referee Joseph Lamptey. Originally South Africa had defeated Senegal 2–1.[10]
| Burkina Faso | 1–1 | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF) |
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| South Africa | Annulled[note 3] | Senegal |
|---|---|---|
|
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| South Africa | 1–2 | Cape Verde |
|---|---|---|
|
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Group E
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |  |
 |
 |
 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt |
6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 13 | Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup | — | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | |
| 2 | Uganda |
6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 9 | 1–0 | — | 0–0 | 1–0 | ||
| 3 | Ghana |
6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 7 | 1–1 | 0–0 | — | 1–1 | ||
| 4 | Congo |
6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 12 | −7 | 2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–5 | — |
| Congo | 1–2 | Egypt |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF) |
| Uganda | 1–0 | Congo |
|---|---|---|
|
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF) |
| Uganda | 1–0 | Egypt |
|---|---|---|
|
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| Ghana | 1–1 | Congo |
|---|---|---|
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| Congo | 1–1 | Uganda |
|---|---|---|
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| Ghana | 1–1 | Egypt |
|---|---|---|
|
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Goalscorers
There were 144 goals scored in 61 matches, for an average of 2.36 goals per match.
- 5 goals
- 4 goals
- 3 goals
- 2 goals
- Yacine Brahimi
- Banou Diawara
- Alain Traoré
- Vincent Aboubakar
- Nuno Rocha
- Garry Rodrigues
- Cédric Bakambu
- Jonathan Bolingi
- Neeskens Kebano
- Dieumerci Mbokani
- Firmin Ndombe Mubele
- Abdallah El Said
- Naby Keïta
- Seydou Doumbia
- Hakim Ziyech
- Kelechi Iheanacho
- Alex Iwobi
- John Obi Mikel
- Cheikh N'Doye
- Diafra Sakho
- Percy Tau
- Collins Mbesuma
- Patson Daka
- 1 goal
- Nabil Bentaleb
- Hillal Soudani
- Issoufou Dayo
- Bertrand Traoré
- André-Frank Zambo Anguissa
- Benjamin Moukandjo
- Clinton N'Jie
- Franck Pangop
- Banana Yaya
- Marvin Baudry
- Thievy Bifouma
- Arnold Bouka Moutou
- Férébory Doré
- Vladis-Emmerson Illoy-Ayyet
- Yannick Bolasie
- Chancel Mbemba
- Paul-José M'Poku
- Shikabala
- Mario Lemina
- Axel Méyé
- Edwin Gyasi
- Alkhaly Bangoura
- Demba Camara
- Keita Karamokoba
- Seydouba Soumah
- Maxwel Cornet
- Gervinho
- Max Gradel
- Jonathan Kodjia
- Hamdou Elhouni
- Ali Elmusrati
- Motasem Sabbou
- Akram Zuway
- Sambou Yatabaré
- Younès Belhanda
- Medhi Benatia
- Nabil Dirar
- Achraf Hakimi
- Mimoun Mahi
- Odion Ighalo
- John Ogu
- Moses Simon
- Keita Baldé Diao
- Sadio Mané
- Kara Mbodji
- Opa Nguette
- Ismaïla Sarr
- Moussa Sow
- Dean Furman
- Thulani Hlatshwayo
- Andile Jali
- Tokelo Rantie
- Thulani Serero
- Sibusiso Vilakazi
- Themba Zwane
- Aymen Abdennour
- Anice Badri
- Mohamed Ben Amor
- Änis Ben-Hatira
- Ghailene Chaalali
- Wahbi Khazri
- Yassine Meriah
- Milton Karisa
- Farouk Miya
- Emmanuel Okwi
- Enock Mwepu
- 1 own goal
- Wilfred Moke (playing against Tunisia)
- Ousmane Sidibé (playing against DR Congo)
- Salif Coulibaly (playing against Ivory Coast)
- Thamsanqa Mkhize (playing against Senegal)
Notes
- Libya played their home matches outside Libya due to security concerns from the civil war.
- FIFA awarded Algeria a 3–0 win as a result of Nigeria fielding the ineligible player Shehu Abdullahi, after the match had ended in a 1–1 draw. Abdullahi failed to serve a one-game ban after receiving two yellow cards in the qualifying competition.[9]
- On 6 September 2017, the Bureau for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers annulled the result of the South Africa v Senegal match on 12 November 2016 and ordered that it be replayed within the November 2017 international window. This decision was confirmed by the Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions on 14 September 2017.[11] Originally South Africa had defeated Senegal 2–1. Match referee Joseph Lamptey was banned for life by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on 20 March 2017 for "unlawfully influencing" the match after issuing a penalty for handball against Senegal.[12] The decision was upheld by the FIFA Appeal Committee, and later the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 6 September 2017.[10]
References
- "June draw for third round of African Zone qualifiers". FIFA.com. 20 November 2015. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016.
- "OFFICIAL: Egypt in Pot 2 for African World Cup qualifiers draw". kingfut.com. 8 June 2016. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
- "PHOTO: FIFA to release new special ranking for Africa". kingfut.com. 16 June 2016. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- "2018 FIFA W/Cup draw holds Friday". Vanguard Nigeria. 22 June 2016. Archived from the original on 22 June 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
- "FIFA cancels corrected ranking, keeping Egypt in Pot 2". kingfut.com. 22 June 2016. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- "Africa gears up for draw for third round of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers". FIFA.com. 22 June 2016. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- "Road to Russia mapped out for African hopefuls". FIFA.com. 24 June 2016. Archived from the original on 1 September 2016.
- "Regulations – 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia" (PDF). FIFA.com.
- "Latest decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee". FIFA.com. 12 December 2017.
- "South Africa vs. Senegal World Cup qualifier to be replayed in November". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 6 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
- "OC for FIFA Competitions approves procedures for the Final Draw of the 2018 FIFA World Cup". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 September 2017. Archived from the original on 14 September 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Match official banned for life due to match manipulation". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 20 March 2017. Archived from the original on 7 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
External links
- Official FIFA World Cup website
- Qualifiers – Africa: Round 3, FIFA.com
- 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – Qualifiers, CAFonline.com
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