Algeria 1 - Mali 0

Blida was the site of the final CAF Second Round match with Algeria hosting Mali.  Algeria had already won Group H, so this match was for pride only.  The opening half was very quite until an Algerian outburst in the final three minutes.  Abdelmoumene Djabou's free kick was sent aside by Mali goalkeeper Soumaile Diakite.  Diakite had to make another save late from a Saphir Taider (pictured, white) volley in the box.  Mali were relieved to be tied 0-0 at the break.

Madjid Bougherra picked out El Arabi Soudani from beyond midfield with a thumped through ball for Algeria early in the second half.  Soudani beat Adama Tamboura to the ball and then beat Diakite one-versus-one as Soudani was losing his balance to give Algeria the opener.  The game opened up a bit more after the goal, but this proved to be the lone noteworthy attack of the second half.  Algeria win 1-0 to close round two of African qualifying.

Goals
Algeria
El Arabi Soudani 51

Match Reports:
http://en.dzfoot.com/2013/09/soudanis-lone-goal-gives-algeria-1-0-victory-over-mali/
http://www.dzfoot.com/article-2631-cm-2014-algerie-1-0-mali-les-notes.php

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RONdG8dSuUE

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hulY-lpmDI

Benin 2 - Rwanda 0

 Porto-Novo was the site of Benin's home match against Rwanda with both teams unable to advance to the next round.  The visiting Amavubi came out with a very offensive posture, but the Squirrels had their goal under lock and key.  Rwanda managed two shots on goal, but neither affected the scoreboard.  Mickael Pote used a great strike to put Benin ahead with ten minutes left in the half.  Benin led 1-0 going into the break.

Bello Babatunde doubled the Benin lead before ten minutes had gone by in the second period.  This was enough to allow the Squirrels to see out the game comfortably.  Benin win 2-0.

Goals
Benin
Mickael Pote 36 (pictured)
Bello Babatunde 53

Match Reports:
http://in2eastafrica.net/rwanda-lose-to-benin-in-final-match/

Benin 2 - Mali 2; Algeria 1 - Rwanda 0

Kigali was the scene for Rwanda's home match against Algeria.  Saphir Taider (pictured, white, shooting) nearly put the Algerians ahead in the second minute from a header from seven yards, but Rwanda goalkeeper Jean-Claude Ndoli (pictured, red) jumped straight up quickly to palm the ball out for a corner kick.  Ndoli next denied Islam Slimani (pictured, white, #13)  from the half circle on a low roller to the lower ninety.  The Algerian attack was relentless, but a well-timed block of a pass by Fabrice Twagizimana continued to hold the visitors at bay.  Ndoli was up to the task yet again when Algeria played a tricky free kick.  Algeria pretended to be adjusting the ball with a hand as three men pretended to debate who would strike.  Suddenly, a short pass was played and the shot was taken, but Ndoli parried to safety off a bounce.  The half ended without any goals having been scored.

The Fennec Foxes maintained their offensive mindset in the second period.  Finally, the pressure broke the Rwanda defense.  A long throw-in bounced into Slimani's possession.  Slimani did a magnificent no-look pass off a bouncing ball with his studs the sent Taider in on goal.  Taider's touch was a bit heavy, but it went just off the tip of the gloves of a sliding Ndoli, allowing for Taider to tap in the rebound.  Rwanda had a decent shot on-goal from a distant free kick, but a sliding push aside off the bounce by Algeria goalkeeper Adi Mbolhi did the job.  Salomon Nirisarike prevented a second goal for Algeria by beating two attackers to a rebound off another good Ndoli saved, shielding the ball until Ndoli could recover.  Taider was wrong-footed on a tap-in opportunity late, but his early strike was all that was needed for Algeria's first ever win in Rwanda in three attempts.  Algeria win 1-0, and the result spells the end for Benin's hopes of qualifying for Brasil 2014.

Bamako was the site for Benin's trip to Mali.  A massive goalkeeping error from Mali's Mamadou Samassa allowed a below average shot from Stephane Sessegnon to squirt through his hands and give Benin the early lead.  Mahamadou Samassa missed a free header that would have equalized within five minutes of the opening goal after a well-taken set piece from Seydou Keita.  However, unlike in the Rwanda game, Mali were able to respond quickly, drawing a penalty on a give-and-go.  They would equalize from the spot.  The game remained wide open as Benin had nothing to lose, having already been eliminated, and Mali needing a victory to stay alive in the competition.  On a counterattack, Jodel Dossou nearly curled in a goal for Benin, but Mamadou Samassa redeemed himself with a full-extension two-handed tip away.  A couple minutes later, Benin did regain the lead through a Razak Omotoyossi turnaround shot through two defenders.  Keita almost equalized on a drive following the resulting kickoff, but his shot was pushed aside by Benin goalkeeper Saturnin Allage.  At halftime, the scoreboard read Benin 2, Mali 1.

Cheick Diabate received a cross inside the Benin six-yard box, gathered the ball, pushed into open space, and then scored on a turning shot to equalize with twenty minutes to go in the match.  Mali, however, were unable to pull out the required victory.  The match ends in a 2-2 draw, Mali's second consecutive disappointing draw at home.  Mali become the twenty-fourth and final African team eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in June 2013.  Algeria are the third African side to clinch a berth in the CAF Third Round.

Algeria 12 pts IN
Mali OUT
Benin OUT
Rwanda OUT

Goals
Algeria
Saphir Taider 52

Benin
Stephane Sessegnon 8
Razak Omotoyossi 32

Mali
Mahamadou Samassa 15 PK
Cheick Diabate 69

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201306170025.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhrmuGJ-sCY (Algeria v. Rwanda)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ge2Q1A5QjQ (Benin v. Mali)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyMPe2IDJYk (Algeria v. Rwanda)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGIGKiqWAH0 (Benin v. Mali)

Rwanda 1 - Mali 1; Algeria 3 - Benin 1

Algeria were on the road today to take on Benin in Porto-Novo.  Benin were looking for revenge having lost in Algeria 3-1 in March.  They had the opening at the half hour mark.  A second chance cross of a corner kick found three Algerian defenders against the sole presence of Rudy Gestede in the box.  Gestede rose behind a flat-footed Mehdi Mostefa-Sbaa to head home and send the crowd into a ruckus.  Islam Slimani evened the score with a high bouncing chip over the goalkeeper from eighteen yards that bounced slowly into the goal as two defenders sprinted to try and save the ball.  But four minutes later Slimani had doubled his personal tally.  He rose from seven yards out at the back post to head a cross home powerfully, leaving no chance for any Benin intervention.  Algeria led 2-1 going into their locker room.

Benin player Badarou Nana Nafiou sent off for second yellow card in minute 67, leaving Benin to cope down a man and down a goal.   Algeria took advantage with a dozen minutes to go.  Nabil Ghilas took a through ball and carried it many yards alongside the defensive run of Didier Sossa.  Ghilas was simply too fast, and his simple slotted finish to the far corner gave Algeria their third goal of the night.  Algeria win 3-1.

Mali's capital Bamako was the site for their home match against Rwanda.  Mali were on the offensive from the opening whistle, knowing they needed to keep pace with Algeria in the group table.  Mali nearly struck first, but Rwanda defender Michel Rusheshangogamade a sliding block on the goal line to deny the home side with his goalkeeper beaten.  Behind the midfield creative abilities of Seydou Keita, Mali had at least five clear chances on goal go begging in the first thirty minutes of play.  Rwanda scored the opener well against the run of play.  A long lofted ball came to the head of Mali center back Mahamdou N'Diaye.  N'Diaye made the mistake of trying to head back to his goalkeeper, and Meddy Kagere stole the pass back and scored.  Rwanda were up 1-0 at the half.

Mali continued to be ever-present in attack.  Keita found himself on the doorstep for an unmarked header, but the cross floated just over his leaping head.  Haruna Niyonzima was sent off for his second yellow in minute 65 after his high boot struck the face of a Malian player.  Mali continued to press, sending cross after cross into the box looking to capitalize on their height advantage.  Finally, N'Diaye and his bandaged head wound headed home the equalizer with a dozen minutes left to play.  Rwanda bunkered down and prevented any more great scoring chances for Mali.  Rwanda get a 1-1 draw on the road, but nevertheless they have been eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Algeria 9 pts +7
Mali 7 pts +1
Benin 4 pts -3
Rwanda OUT

Goals
Algeria
Islam Slimani 38, 42
Nabil Ghilas 78

Benin
Rudy Gestede 31

Rwanda
Meddy Kagere 33

Mali
Mahamadou N'Diaye 77

Match Reports:
http://www.mtnfootball.com/international/fifa-world-cup-2014/matches/reports/2013/june/09-benin-v-algeria.html
http://www.supersport.com/football/africa/news/130610/Mali_draw_with_Rwanda

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2gg8UokQ_w (Algeria v. Benin)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4gn_PDHASU (Rwanda v. Mali)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCW6xqOET98 (Algeria v. Benin)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qn1KcS60Oc&list=PL79m9Jm7_jmAdBjcwvx4Qz9snKynVjJEF&index=3 (Rwanda v. Mali)

Algeria 3 - Benin 1

Algeria hosted Benin in Blida in the final match of the CAF Second Round Matchday Three.  Ten minutes in, Algeria had a dream start.  An Algeria foray up the left flank led to a rolled cross across the box, and the Fennec Foxes had their first goal via a simply instep putaway by Sofiane Feghouli.  Algeria had all the possession and chances in the first half of the period, but against the run of play Benin drew a free kick opportunity.  Rudy Gestede, in his first appearance for the Squirrels, took advantage of a poor wall to hit a waist-high drive that ate up the goalkeeper on its way in for the equalizer.  The first half ended at one-all.

Right on the hour mark, the Fennec Foxes had a breakaway chance started by Saphir Taider.  The ball was impeded well by a saving sliding tackle in the Benin defense, but the ball popped out to an onrushing Taider who finished and gave Algeria a 2-0 lead.  Benin goalkeeper Fabien Farnulle was sent off for a record card in minute 85 when he was deemed to have come out of his penalty area to make a sliding save with his hands that prevented a goalbound shot by El Arabi Soudani (pictured, white) from scoring.  Farnulle in reality only used his groin to block the ball, but the call was made against him nevertheless.  Backup goalkeeper Guillaume Bemenou was punished for his poor positioning in stoppage time when Islam Slimani expertly stuck out a boot to flick a high chip over Bemenou, who had needlessly evacuated his goal line.  Algeria take the win 3-1 and now site even with Mali atop the group.

Algeria 6 pts +5
Mali 6 pts +1
Benin 4 pts -1
Rwanda 1 pts -5

Goals
Algeria
Sofiane Feghouli 10
Saphir Taider 60
Islam Slimani 90+2

Benin
Rudy Gestede 26

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4622/africa/2013/03/26/3856520/africa-world-cup-2014-qualifying-result-algeria-rout-benin

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZxoKAOz_PM

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2hf1merrc0 (1st half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAgYuCzI0U4 (2nd half)

Mali 2 - Rwanda 1

2013 African Cup of Nations semifinalists Mali made the trip southeast to Kigali to face off against Rwanda.  Surprisingly, the Amavubi were stronger than Mali out of the gate, and their persistent pressure paid off handsomely with eight minutes to go in the first half.  An excellent lofted chip pass over the top of the Malian defense by Edwin Ouon was gathered by Meddy Kagere (pictured, yellow) on a jumping trap.  Kagere composed himself and then slotted home to give Rwanda a 1-0 lead.  That would be the score at the close of the half.

Mali made Rwanda pay for not taking more of their chances in the first half.  Five minutes after the restart, a Seydou Keita inswinging free kick spelled disaster for the Amavubi as Mahamadou Samassa rose above the crowd in the penalty area to flick a header into the side netting to equalize.  Mali needed only another five minutes to find the go-ahead goal.  Rwanda were unable to clear their lines, so Mali had an extra opportunity in attack.  Abdou Traore made the most of it, playing a stellar one-two-one with Mohamed Sissoko and then volleying the lofted return pass into the goal as it was descending at the near post.  Les Aigles had their first lead at 2-1.  Mali concentrated on defense from thereon out, and they locked down their first road win of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Mali win 2-1.

Mali 6 pts +1
Benin 4 pts +1
Algeria 3 pts +3
Rwanda 1 pts -5

Goals
Mali
Mahamadou Samassa 50
Abdou Traore 55

Rwanda
Meddy Kagere 37

Match Reports:
http://mussarashid.blogspot.com/2013/03/fifa-world-cup-qualify-mali-beat-rwanda.html?zx=c62421bb1d23727e
http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=15307&a=65249

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AAQR8vdnH0

Mali 2- Algeria 1; Rwanda 1 - Benin 1

The Amavubi of Rwanda came home to Kigali to face off with Benin.  The Amavubi were completely dominant throughout the match, generating lots of pressure and many scoring chances, but nothing ever seemed to come of their superiority.  The first half ended scoreless.

In the second period, Rwanda continued in the ascendancy, but it was Razak Omotoyossi for the second time in as many games who came through with a goal for Benin, this time completely against the run of play.  Benin led 1-0 until a late penalty call led to an ejection for Benin's Khaled Adenon in minute 85.  The resulting spot kick was converted, though the goalkeeper got a hand to the shot.  Rwanda had another chance go begging, and the Amavubi will be disappointed with the 1-1 draw.

Mali faced Algeria in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in the final match of CAF qualifying in 2012.  Mali were forced to move their home match abroad due to continuing civil unrest after the coup d'etat in April.  Nevertheless, the Malians were well supported in the crowd.  They must have been bitterly disappointed with their goalkeeper early because Soumaila Diakite botched an easy grab off a soft bounce with no pressure, leading to a tap-in goal on an open net to give Algeria a 1-0 advantage.  Goalscorer Islam Slimani almost got his second within twenty minutes when he slipped past Diakite, but Slimani fired wide on another open net.  The miss would prove costly five minutes later.  Mahamadou Ndiaye equalizer off a header from the penalty spot after Mali had earned a corner.  The 1-1 scoreline was maintained through the half.

With only ten minutes left to play, Mali earned themselves another corner.  The set piece ended up created a scramble in the box as the ball trickled off frame to the right of goal.  Mali's Mobido Maiga was first to the ball, and using the outside of his left foot, he crafted an inside-out swing chip into the roof of the net befitting a gamewinning goal.  Mali made the lead stand up and hold on to win 2-1.  The result means Benin lead Group H at the end of 2012.

Benin 4 pts +1

Algeria 3 pts +3
Mali 3 pts 0
Rwanda 1 pts -4

Goals
Benin
Razak Omotoyossi 74

Rwanda
Labama Kamana 88 PK

Mali
Mahamadou Ndiaye 30
Mobido Maiga 80

Algeria
Islam Slimani 7

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206100192.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206110156.html
http://www.goal.com/en/match/77998/mali-vs-algeria/preview

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj_Qde4h8Bw (Rwanda v. Benin)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3HnvqwI7Zw (Mali v. Algeria)

Benin 1 - Mali 0

2012 African Cup of Nations semifinalists Mali were believed to be the big threat to knock off Algeria in Group H, but their opening fixture away to Benin in Cotonou was a tricky one for Mali's Les Aigles.  Zamalek (Egypt) striker Razak Omotoyossi (pictured, white) powered through three defenders on route to firing a wicked shot to give Benin a 1-0 lead that would hold through the first half.

In the second half, despite the presence of Barcelona (Spain) midfielder Seydou Keita, Mali could not get any comeback off the ground.  Benin win the match 1-0.

Algeria 3 pts +4
Benin 3 pts +1
Mali 0 pts -1
Rwanda 0 pts -4

Goals
Benin
Razak Omotoyossi 18

Match Reports:
http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/keita-recovers-mali-lose-to-benin

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXeMgz2yGCM

Algeria 4 - Rwanda 0

Rwanda came into Blida to take on Algeria with thoughts of recently deceased captain Patrick Mafisango on their minds.  However, the Amavubi were unable to put together much of a match in his honor as Algeria ran ragged over them.  As the first half hour of play drew near its close, bad luck struck Rwanda.  A clearance by their goalkeeper as he rushed out of the box struck an open Algerian and bounded into the back of the Amavubi net to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.  A soft floating cross to the back post five minutes later connected with a fierce header for a goal by El Arabi Soudani.  Algeria took the 2-0 lead into the break.

With eleven minutes left to play in the match, another floating cross from the right side found the head of an Algerian attacker. This time, it was Islam Slimani who nodded home for his first career goal for the Fennec Foxes.  3-0 became 4-0 three minutes later when Soudani scored for the second time in the match, this time off a header from a left-side corner kick. Algeria win the match 4-0 to start off Group H play on a high note.

Goals

Algeria
Sofiane Feghouli 27
El Arabi Soudani 32, 82
Islam Slimani 79

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en/match/77996/algeria-vs-rwanda/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUbirw4NS5I&feature=related

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiDjmHwz584