Voice of African Football: The Road to Russia 2018 Continuation
This is a continuation of the series who qualifies to Russia 2018 world cup. In the last edition SportGoogly previewed the chances of group A and Group B with Algeria and Tunisia likely to qualify.
In this edition of who qualifies to Russia 2018, we are going to conclude the African edition of who qualifies to the world cup. In our spectrum is the Group C, Group D and Group E. We shall discuss each group in depth to access the chances of the countries that are likely to qualify with a continuation from Group C.
Group C.
The final standings according to the statistics will emerge that Ivory Coast will qualify to Russia 2018 world cup. This is how the table will look like;
- Ivory Coast 13pts
2. Morocco 10pts
3. Mali 7pts
4. Gabon 4pts
Explanations:
Ivory Coast and Mali Meetings: Ivory Coast and Mali have met 27 times with Ivory Coast winning 27 and drawing 6 of the games. Mali have being semifinalists in the last four African cup of nations. Ivory Coast have visited Mali on 9 occasions in competitive games which Ivory Coast have never lost winning 5 and drawing 4. At home Ivory Coast have clashed 12 times with Mali to which Ivory Coast have won 9 and lost 2. History they say are meant to be broken but in the last 10 games the two countries have met, Ivory Coast have won 7, drawn 2 and lost 1. In conclusion, Ivory Coast are very stronger in their meetings with Mali thereby Ivory Coast will win their home game and will draw in Mali.
Ivory Coast Morocco Meetings: Ivory Coast and Morocco encounter is a typical North and West African derby with both nations likely to win their home games. Both countries have met 17 times with Ivory Coast winning 7 and drawing 6. In the qualifications to the Brazil 2014 world cup, Ivory Coast and Morocco were in the same group. On 9 June, 2012 Morocco hosted Ivory Coast at home for a world cup qualifying game with ended in a draw with boy nations scoring two goals. In the return leg which was played on 7 August 2013 in Ivory Coast, the game also ended in yet another drawing this time round it was one all. This clearly shows that both countries are at level pegging in terms of performances. In all, Ivory Coast qualified ahead of Morocco from group C to the Brazil 2014 world cup. Once again Ivory Coast and Morocco are to fight for a slot to the world cup. In their last 5 meetings Ivory Coast have won 3, and drawn 2 with no victory for Morocco. If a West African country and a North African country are paired to play a 2 leg game, each country each nation will pick their 3 points at home. In conclusion, Ivory Coast will win against Morocco at home and Morocco will also win against Ivory Coast at Morocco.
Ivory Coast and Gabon: Gabon the likely to be weeping boys of the group and Ivory Coast have met 12 times with Ivory Coast winning 8 and drawing 2. Ivory Coast have visited Gabon 6 times and have won only one game with 3 loses. In 5 games that Ivory Coast have played against Gabon in Ivory Coast, they have won 4 and lost one. In their last 5 recent meetings, Ivory Coast have won 2 games, drawn one and lost one. Football is not logic but in comparison Ivory Coast is far ahead of Gabon both in history and in performance. Ivory Coast will snatch all the 3 points against Gabon.
From the facts and statistics displayed, it looks likely for Ivory Coast to qualify to world cup 2018 to be held in Russia.
Group D
The final standings according to the statistics will emerge that Senegal will qualify to Russia 2018 world cup. From the round robin analysis this is how the table will look like;
1. Senegal 12pts
2. Cape Verde 9pts
3. South Africa 8pts
4. Burkina Faso 5pts
Explanations:
Senegal and Cape Verde Meetings: The West African islanders have met only 4 times with Cameroon winning all the 4 games. The last time Cameroon met Ivory Coast was in 2004. The facts may deceive you because Cape Verde Island is the African with hot form recently. With Senegal’s attacking might they will win at home against Cape Verde. In the return encounter that will take place in Cape Verde, Senegal can draw the game. In conclusion, Senegal and Cape Verde island have not met in recent times but Senegal can salvage 4 points from Cape Verde.
Senegal and Burkina Faso Meetings: Burkina Faso and Senegal encounter is a typical West African derby that promises a lot of physicality. The West African nations have met 8 times with Senegal winning 2, Burkina winning 2 and 4 of the games ending in a draw. Senegal have never won a game in Burkina Faso, in three appearances Burkina Faso have won 1 and drawn 2. In Senegal, both countries have met 3 times with a win for both nations and one draw. In the last 5 meetings, Senegal have won one, drawn two and lost two. Senegal have a top form and are likely to draw at Burkina Faso. In all, Senegal will accumulate 4 points from Senegal.
Senegal and South Africa Meetings: Senegal and South Africa have met 7 times with Senegal winning 2, drawing 4 and losing one. In Senegal, South Africa have visited once and lost. Senegal have visited South Africa 4 times, have drawn one, lost one and drawn two. In their last 5 recent meetings, Senegal have won one, drawn three and lost one. The recent performances for both countries show clearly that Senegal is ahead of South Africa. In conclusion, Senegal will pick 4 points from South Africa meaning that Senegal will in South Africa and win at home.
From the facts and statistics displayed, it looks likely that Senegal will qualify to world cup 2018 to be staged in Russia.
Group E
1.Ghana14pts
2.Egypt13pts
3. Uganda 5pts
4. Congo 1pt
Explanations:
Ghana and Egypt Meetings: Ghana and Egypt is another typical example of a North Africa and West Africa derby. Ghana have clashed18 times with Egypt and Ghana have won 6, drawn 4 and lost 8. The group decider in Group E is this epic encounter. On the road to Brazil2014, Ghana and Egypt clashed in the playoff stage. On 15 October 2013, the first leg of the playoff took place in Kumasi where Ghanatrashed Egypt by 6 goals to 1. In the return leg on 19 November 2013 in Cairo, Egypt won the game by 2 goals to 1 but Ghana qualified toBrazil 2014 ahead of Egypt. In the last 5 meetings, Ghana have won 2, drawn 1, and lost 2. Ghana and Egypt meeting is a close call butGhana will win 4 points from Egypt.
Ghana and Uganda Meetings: Ghana and Uganda are two countries with impressive head to and difficult to predict encounterGhana andUganda have met 9 times with Ghana winning 3, losing 3 and drawing 3. In Ghana, have visited 4 times and have never won agame drawing 2 and losing 2. Uganda have hosted Ghana 4 times and Ghana have also not won a game in Uganda drawing 1 and losing 3.On the qualification trail to Germany 2006 world cup, Ghana and Uganda were in the same group and on 3 July 2004 Uganda hosted Ghanato a drawn game. The return leg was played in Ghana on 4 September 2005 which Ghana won by 2 goals to 1. In their last 5 games, Ghanahave won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1. Ghana finds it difficult to win in Uganda but wins all the time at home. In conclusion, Ghana will will secure4 points from Uganda.
Ghana and Congo Meetings: Ghana meetings is a one way traffic game. The best results ever for Congo was a draw which came in 1981. Ghana and Congo have met 10 times with Ghana winning 9 and drawing 1. Congo have never won a game against Ghana. In Congo, Ghana have visited 4 times winning all the 4 games. In the 3 encounters Ghana and Congo have met in Ghana, Ghana have won two and drawn one. In the last 5 previous meetings, Ghana have won all the 5. Ghana and Congo encounters is a David and Goliath affairs. Ghana will take all the points from Congo.
From the facts and statistics displayed, it looks likely that Ghana will qualify to the Russia 2018 World Cup.
In conclusion the likely Countries that Africa are likely to present to Russia 2018 world cup are Tunisia, Algeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Ghana. This analysis and inference was deduced from analysis from facts and statistics as presented above. Football is not logic and it’s a game of uncertainties so surprises are bound to happen. Devoid of any surprises, Tunisia, Algeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Ghana.
