2018 African World Cup Qualifiers Ups and Downs

         As the groups of the World Cup Qualifiers are completed, we will take a look at the ups and downs of each group. Countries in bold will be participating in the 2018 World Cup. The countries that aren't in bold will not be competing in the 2018 World Cup.
                                                            
                                                            Africa

In the African qualifiers, there are 5 groups of four teams. The 1st place teams in each group qualify directly to the World Cup.  The remaining teams cannot qualify for the World Cup. 

Group A

1. Tunisia 14 points

2. DR Congo 13 points

3. Libya 4 points

4. Guinea 3 points

Ups

• Tunisia qualify to the World Cup for the first time since 2006, and didn't lose a single match. A major reason for Tunisia's success was their solid back line and winning crucial matches.
• Although the DR Congo didn't get 1st place in the group, they scored 14 goals, which is more than any other nation in the African qualifiers. Eight Congolese players scored in the qualifiers, with five players scoring two goals.

Downs

• The DR Congo had a 2-0 lead against Tunisia. However DR Congo blew their lead and conceded two goals in two minutes. If the DR Congo would have won that match, they would be in Russia instead of Tunisia.
• Guinea finished bottom of the group with one win and five defeats out of six matches. Guinea conceded 14 goals, which is the most out of any team in the African Qualifiers.

Group B

1. Nigeria 14 points

2. Zambia 8 points

3. Cameroon 7 points

4. Algeria 2 points

Ups

• Despite Group B being considered the group of death, the Super Eagles won the group comfortably and didn't lose a single match. Chelsea winger Victor Moses scored three goals and was a key player for Nigeria in the qualifiers. Young striker duo Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho scored 4 goals in total and will be crucial players for the Super Eagles in the World Cup.
• Despite Zambia being the only nation in Group B to have not competed in the 2014 World Cup, they finished above Algeria and Cameroon. Zambia defeated Algeria twice, and drew Cameroon twice. 19 year old striker Patson Daka scores two crucial goals to help Zambia reach 2nd place.

Downs

• After their successful run in the 2014 World Cup, Algeria failed to meet their expectations of reaching the World Cup. Algeria failed to win a match and only scored four goals. 
• Although the 2017 African Cup of Nations Champions Cameroon had a solid back line, they drew four matches which cost them a World Cup spot. Cameroon also only managed to win one match.

Group C

1. Morocco 12 points

2. Côte d’Ivoire 8 points

3. Gabon 6 points

4. Mali 4 points

Ups

• Morocco qualify to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and didn't lose a single match. A big factor for Morocco's success is the fact that they were the only team in the World Cup Qualifiers to concede zero goals. Morocco also had very good midfielders, as Ajax man Hakim Ziyech had two goals and assists and controlled the game.

Downs

• As Côte d’Ivoire were the favourites to win the group, this was a disappointing qualifiers for them. Despite Les Éléphants losing the last match against Morocco, they blew their other opportunities to win the group. Côte d’Ivoire lost to Gabon 2-1 at home and tied rock bottom Mali 0-0, two matches which on paper Les Éléphants should be winning.
• Since Mali tied four matches 0-0, they lacked quality midfielders and strikers as they were only able to score one goal in the qualifiers. They also lost to Morocco 6-0 which destroyed the team mentally. It will be tough for Mali to mentally prepare for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
• Despite their government investing heavy into football, Gabon failed to deliver the results that that everyone wanted. Gabon were only able to score two goals, played five matches without scoring, and only won one match.

Group D

1. Senegal 14 points

2. Burkina Faso 9 points

3. Cape Verde 6 points

4. South Africa 4 points

Ups

• Senegal qualify to the World Cup for the second time in their history. Even though Senegal tied Burkina Faso twice, they comfortably beat Cape Verde and South Africa. Liverpool forward Sadio Mane lead the way for Senegal, as they will be an exciting team to watch in next years World Cup. 
• Despite Burkina Faso not finishing top of the group, they had a good qualifying campaign. Burkina Faso drew Senegal twice, and young Lyon midfielder Bertrand Traore was on fire as he had a fantastic goal against Senegal.

Downs

• South Africa have had another disappointing qualifying campaign, with four losses and only one win. South Africa were expected to be a better team after millions of dollars were invested into football for the 2010 World Cup. However since they lost to Cape Verde and Senegal twice, South Africa will need to come up with a new plan to improve their football programs and youth academies. 
• Although Cape Verde defeated South Africa twice, they struggled at the back, and went four matches without scoring. As Cape Verde were only able to score four goals, they struggled to get the ball forward.

Group E

1. Egypt 13 points 

2. Uganda 9 points

3. Ghana 7 points

4. Congo 2 points

Ups

• Egypt qualify to the World Cup for the first time since 1990 and won four out of six matches. Liverpool forward Mohammed Salah was on fire, as he scored five goals and was the top scorer in the African Qualifiers.
• Uganda were the surprise pack in Group E as they were the lowest ranked team in the group. However Uganda finished second in the group, as they finished above Ghana and were able to beat Egypt in a shocking 1-0 victory. Uganda's back line was one of the best in the African Qualifiers as they only conceded two goals.

Downs

• After qualifying to three consecutive World Cup's, this was a disappointing campaign for the Black Stars. Ghana only managed to win one match and failed to win matches that they were expected to win, such as against Uganda and Congo.