Match Report: Central Africa Republic 1-1 Cape Verde 2021 Africa World Cup qualifiers Group C
Central Africa Republic and Cape Verde opened their 2021 African World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against in a Group C opener on Wednesday afternoon.
With covid-19 still inuring huge impartation on African football, return to national action could still suffer the pandemic’s detrimental effects with Central African Republic been forced to moved their opening game of the 2021 African World Cup qualifying game against Cape Verde to Stade la Renification in Duoala, Cameroon.
That’s perhaps for safety reasons as both teams strictly observed the covid-19 protocols before kick-off.
And with high hopes to top Group C, where African giants Nigeria and Liberia are the other teams fighting for the frontrunner for the World Cup finals in Qatar next summer, the host were fiercely stretched in Cameroon.
Central Africa Republic knee on making big statement in today’s clash after boss Raoul Savoy announcing a strong starting squad with Samolah in posts while Ngam-Ngam, Ndokomandji, Yangao, Guinari, Toropite, Urie, Niamathe, Kpeko, and M’Vondo completed the eleven faced Cape Verde.
They hosts were further poised by the reunion with former boss after appointing the Swiss International as new coach late last month to guide them through the FIFA assignment.
The 48-year-old who has previously coached Ethiopia, Eswatini and The Gambia, described the Central African Republic as “my home” after signing a two year deal.
“I’m feeling well with the atmosphere, the people and the mentality.”
“We’re in a right way when I left two years ago. It was time to travel again together.”
However, his new brand of “my home couldn’t yield into all three points for Central Africa Republic in the country’s most important search for international football recognition- FIFA World Cup- despite Savoy citing the Afcon as his main goal.
“The AFCON is our main goal. We can do it and it’s just a question of working hard and the full commitment of our international players.”.
Cape Verde boss Bubista could not also depart from naming strong men as he called Vozinha, Stopira, Roberto Lopes, Steeve Furtado, Ponck, Dylan Tavares, Patrick Andrade, Willis Furtado, Kenny Rocha Snatos, Ryan Mende and Julio Tavares into action in Duoala.
Central Africa Republic were leapfrogged in the first half after Julio Tavares opening the score to put Cape Verde ahead on 36’minute mark.
There was nothing the hosts could do in the first half and needed to rely heavily on Trésor Toropité’s second half strike to gain a point in their first World Cup qualifiers campaign.
Trésor Toropité’s struck eight minutes into the second half to drew level pegging for Central Africa Republic. Cape Verde runs into the top spot for now while the outcome of Liberia and Nigeria game would have much change of Group C table.
The Super Green Eagles will host Liberia on Friday evening.
