Algeria draw, still qualify for African Cup

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP):

Algeria qualified for the African Cup of Nations in 2022 and will get the chance to defend its title at the delayed tournament despite letting a two-goal lead slip in Zimbabwe and drawing 2-2 yesterday.

The point was still enough to see the African champions through to the finals in Cameroon, which were meant to be played in January and February but were rescheduled to early 2022 - the same year as the World Cup - because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Algeria scored twice in four minutes near the end of the first half in Harare through an Andy Delort header from a free kick and Riyad Mahrez's skilful finish.

Knowledge Musona curled in a free kick two minutes before half-time and moments after crashing one against the crossbar to pull one back for Zimbabwe. Substitute Prince Dube scrambled home an equaliser with eight minutes to go.

FINAL GROUP STAGE

Still, Mahrez and Algeria went through with two games to spare after three wins and a draw in the final group stage of qualifying.

They followed hot on the heels of Sadio Mane's Senegal, which was the first team to qualify on Sunday. That means the teams that played in the last African Cup final in Egypt are the first through to the 2022 edition.

Zimbabwe are second in Group H and in position for the group's other qualifying place.

South Africa secured an important win over Sao Tome and Principe in Group C, even though Bafana Bafana was unconvincing against a team that has lost all four of its group- stage qualifiers.

Midfielder Jocy gave Sao Tome and Principe a shock early lead in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and the underdogs were holding the South Africans to 2-2 with three minutes left, until Themba Zwane and Percy Tau scored in the 87th and 88th minutes to complete a brace for both of them and take South Africa to a flattering 4-2 win.

The game was meant to be n Sao Tome and Principe after the teams met in Durban on Friday, but Sao Tome gave up its home advantage to ease the travel pressure on its players during the pandemic. Sao Tome and Principe is now out of contention.

Ghana and South Africa are level on nine points at the top of the group, but Ghana has played a game less and will qualify for the finals with a win in Sudan on Tuesday.