Cameroon 1 - Libya 0; Togo 2 - Democratic Republic of Congo 1

Yaoundé was the site of the deciding match in Group I today with Libya visiting Cameroon.  A win for Libya would give them the group, but any other result would send Cameroon through to phase three of Africa qualifying.  A good through ball from Mohamed El Mughrabi put his Libyan teammate in against the Cameroon goalkeeper Charles Itandje, but Itandje won the battle with his sliding block.  Midway through the period, Samuel Eto'o struck a nice dipping free kick from twenty-four yards, but a stab by Libya goalkeeper Mohamed Nashnush saved a goal.  On a Cameroon corner with three minutes left, Enoh Chedjou (pictured, green #14) got behind three Libyan defenders and headed into the goal for the opener.  Cameroon were ahead 1-0 at the halftime whistle.

Midway through the second half, Alexandre Song forced Nashnush into pushing away from his driven attempt from distance.  Libya looked closer to the equalizer than Cameroon did to a second in the second period.  Two minutes from time, Libya should have scored.  A Libyan cross found an open Omar Abdelsalam, but his header into the ground was miraculously saved by a reflex kick from Itandje.  Eric Choupo-Moting should have scored for Cameroon in stoppage time, but his shot was wide of frame after he snuck through four defenders via his dribble.  Cameroon win 1-0 and advance to the final round.  Libya are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Togo finished their campaign at home in Lome against the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Dove Wome orchestrated the first goal of the match.  Wome drove across the top of the Congolese area before passing to Lalawele Atakora inside the box.  Atakora finished his chance to put the Sparrowhawks in front.  Togo led 1-0 after the opening period.

The crowd were stunned ten minutes from time.  Zola Matumona swung a short free kick into the six-yard box for an onrushing Saoule Ebunga.  Nobody marked Ebunga, so he powered a simple header away for the equalizer.  Togo did not give up on securing a victory, however.  In stoppage time, the Togolese secured a dramatic victory on a crazy sequence.  First, a Togolese shot bounced off the crossbar and was gathered by Wome.  Wome then reversed course and spun around to deliver a cross.  A volley from Backer Aloenouvo bounced into the turf and used its topspin to sink into the net to give Togo a last-gasp win.  Togo win 2-1.

Cameroon 13 pts IN
Libya OUT
DR Congo OUT
Togo OUT

Goals
Cameroon
Aurelien Chedjou 42

Togo
Lalawele Atakora 35
Backer Aloenouvo 90+2

Democratic Republic of Congo
Saoule Ebunga 81

Match Reports:
http://www.camfoot.com/cameroun-libye-c-est-parti-0-0.html
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000093116&story_title=togo-defeats-drc-2-1-with-late-goal-in-group-I

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4UbW7qQ0ZM (Cameroon v. Libya)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7LO60KSvU4 (Togo v. DR Congo)

Togo docked points for inelgible player

Last-place Togo continue the troubling trend of African teams being sanctioned for playing ineligible players in a qualifying match.  Togo have forfeited their home victory against Cameroon due to fielding a player who should have been serving a suspension for yellow-card accumulation.  The match in question occurred on 9 June 2013, a match which Togo won 2-0.  Alaixys Romao should not have been permitted to participate in that match, so Togo are now being punished.  The match has been awarded as a 3-0 victory to Cameroon.  The adjusted group table appears as follows:

Cameroon 10 pts +4
Libya 9 pts +3
DR Congo OUT
Togo OUT

This changes the scenario for Libya's match away to Cameroon in September with the Group I title on the line.  Previously, Libya only needed a draw to clinch the title, but now Libya have to defeat Cameroon in order to advance.

News Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/news/newsid=2132048/index.html?intcmp=fifacom_hp_module_media_statements

Cameroon 0 - Democratic Republic of Congo 0

The crowd was on hand in Kinshasa to watch home side Democratic Republic of Congo take on Cameroon in a match both teams needed to win in order to keep pace with Libya in Group I.  DR Congo certainly had a good chance to get the points they needed to stay alive in the chase for Brasil 2014 seeing as Samuel Eto'o was out injured for the Indomitable Lions.  No goals were found in the opening period, however.  

Disappointingly for the crowd gathered to watch the affair, the home side were unable to break the defense of Cameroon.  Cameroon failed to score for the second match in a row, but they remain with life in the tournament since the match finishes as it began, 0-0.  The draw eliminates DR Congo and means that the match between Cameroon and Libya and September will decide Group I.

Libya 9 pts +3
Cameroon 7 pts -1
DR Congo OUT
Togo OUT

Match Reports:
http://www.supersport.com/football/Cameroon/news/130616/DR_Congo_Cameroon_in_goalless_draw

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKECJgmVO5E

Libya 2 - Togo 0

Libya's home match against Togo, originally scheduled to take place in Benghazi, was moved to Tripoli for security reasons.  Libya are piecing together their country after a recent civil war, so what better way to represent a new era than by qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup finals?  A win at home would send them on their way, and it would send Togo out of the tournament.  Togo were missing Alaixys Romao and Jonathan Ayite, who refused to come to Libya given security concerns.  Libya took advantage of the unsettled Sparrowhawks early.  Komlan Amewou (pictured, yellow #8) committed a handball in his penalty area, conceding the early penalty kick that Libya would convert for a 1-0 lead.  Amewou's horror show would worsen twelve minutes later when his diving header off a cross found the back of his own net, conceding a second goal to Libya that was completely his fault.  Libya led 2-0 at the half.

An out-of-sorts Togo offered little in the second half to cause the home crowd to worry.  Libya coasted to the finish line on this day.  Libya win 2-0.

Libya 9 pts +3
Cameroon 6 pts -1
DR Congo 5 pts +1
Togo OUT

Goals
Libya
Faisal Saleh 7 PK
Komlan Amewou 18 OG

Match Reports:
http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1476545/libya-win-eliminates-togo?cc=5901
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22915071

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU2x-IUWYTE

Togo 2 - Cameroon 0

Togo came home to Lome where they found a very defensive Cameroon team awaiting them.  Cameroon fielded four defensive midfielders in this match.  Togo found a breakthrough via a set piece a couple minutes after the half four mark.  Komlan Amewou powered a free kick around a wall and into the Cameroon goal.  Togo led 1-0 at the cessation of play.

Togo made sure of the result twenty minutes from time.  Lalawele Atakora made an absolutely brilliant individual move to score the second goal for Togo.  Atakora slalomed not one, not two, but five Cameroonian defenders before smacking a shot upper ninety.  Togo win 2-0 and further tighten the situation in Group I with two matches left to play.

Libya 6 pts +1
Cameroon 6 pts -1
DR Congo 5 pts +1
Togo 4 pts -1

Goals
Togo
Komlan Amewou 32
Lalawele Atakora 70

Match Reports:
http://www.mtnfootball.com/international/fifa-world-cup-2014/matches/reports/2013/june/09-togo-v-cameroon.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSIv6PNbPSU

Democratic Republic of Congo 0 - Libya 0

Tripoli was the site of Libya's first competitive match on home soil since the end of their revolution.  The visitors on this occasion where the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Libya could have pushed into an early lead, but Ahmed Osman saw his penalty kick opportunity saved by DR Congo goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba.  Boosted by the save, DR Congo looked lively on the counter, but the first period produced no goals.

The second half was controlled by Libya, but it was decidedly less enthralling than the first period.  The second half was marred by racist chanting and projectiles being thrown at Libya striker Tresor Mputu as he stood over a corner kick with ten minutes left in the match.  With their prime minister in attendance, Libya could only muster a lackluster 0-0 draw that leaves both teams adrift of Cameroon, who have played one less game in Group I.

Cameroon 6 pts +1
Libya 6 pts +1
DR Congo 5 pts +1
Togo 1 pts -3

Match Reports:
http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/06/07/disappointment-at-libya-dr-congo-goalless-draw-but-pride-at-hosting-the-game/

Libya 0 - Democratic Republic of the Congo 0

Kinshasa was the site of a match between visiting Libya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Both teams knew that a win would be enough to send them to the top of Group I.  No one was able to cause the scoreboard operator to do any work in a scoreless first forty-five minutes.

In the second period, DR Congo had earned a golden opportunity to win three points as they had a penalty kick chance with twenty minutes left in the match.  However, Libya goalkeeper Mohamed Nashnush was up to the task, and his save meant that the fans in the stands went home unhappy.  The final score is Libya 0, DR Congo 0.

Cameroon 6 pts +1
Libya 5 pts +1
DR Congo 4 pts +1
Togo 1 pts -3

Match Reports:
http://www.mtnfootball.com/international/fifa-world-cup-2014/matches/reports/2013/mar/24-drc-v-libya.html
http://libya.tv/en/dr-congo-vs-libya-goalless-draw-in-kinshasa/

Cameroon 2 - Togo 1

Yaounde was the scene for Cameroon's home match against Togo.  The Indomitable Lions had a penalty awarded in their favor after Togo's Vincent Bossou ran through the back of Leonard Kweuke inside the Togolese penalty area.  Samuel Eto'o converted the penalty, and Cameroon were ahead by one.  Dakonam Djene (pictured, yellow with ball) wasted no time feeling sorry for himself, and his run down the left side of the pitch dragged two defenders and the goalkeeper away from Dove Wome (pictured, yellow #3).  Djene sent Wome the pass, and Wome sent Togo into the locker room tied with Cameroon at one goal apiece.

In the second period, Cameroon were under pressure from their crowd to perform, but they did pull through thanks to Eto'o yet again.  Eto'o hit a wonder strike from the top left corner of the penalty area that rocketed into the far side netting, giving Cameroon a lead again with only eight minutes left in the match. Cameroon hold on for the 2-1 win and temporarily take the lead in Group I pending tomorrow's match between DR Congo and Libya.

Cameroon 6 pts +1
Libya 4 pts +1
DR Congo 3 pts +1
Togo 1 pts -3

Goals
Cameroon
Samuel Eto'o 42 PK, 82

Togo
Dove Wome 45+2

Match Reports:
http://www.cameroononline.org/2013/03/25/the-indomitable-lions-could-do-better/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8ATnVtFJ8o

Libya 2 - Cameroon 1; DR Congo 2 - Togo 0

The Democratic Republic of the Congo welcomed Togo to Kinshasa.  Midway through the opening period, DR Congo staked themselves a 1-0 lead, but the good vibes would not last long.  Albert Mutamba was sent off for a red card in minute 39, so the hosts had to play a man down for the final fifty minutes.  No ill effects were felt from the red card in the first half, with DR Congo winning it 1-0.

In the second period, Togo were unable to take advantage of their extra man and in fact conceded a penalty with a little under ten minutes to play.  Dieumerci Mbokani (pictured, blue) stepped up and buried the penalty kick, giving DR Congo the final goal of the match.  DR Congo win 2-0.

Libya had to play their home fixture against Cameroon behind closed doors at a facility in Sfax, Tunisia.  An early goal made the pitch feel more like their actual home for Libya, but their lead was short lived as Eric Choupo Moting scored his second in two matches for Cameroon, knotting the game at one goal apiece.  Moting has scored all of Cameroon's goals so far in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  The match was balanced at 1-1 going into the break.

Libya's defense actually seemed to be the shakier of the two during the second half, allowing the Indomitable Lions to roar toward the goal.  However, the finishing on the night was poor for Cameroon, and it would be a late corner kick for Libya that would decide the match.  Hamad Ahniash beat the goalkeeper to the ball and headed home into the vacated net for a stoppage-time match winner.  Libya take first place in the Group I standings on the back of their 2-1 win.

Libya 4 pts +1
DR Congo 3 pts +1
Cameroon 3 pts 0
Togo 1 pts -2

Goals
DR Congo
Mabi Mputu 23
Dieumerci Mbokani 81 PK

Libya
Ahmed Zouary 8
Hamad Ahniash 90+3

Cameroon
Eric Choupo Moting 16

Match Reports:
http://www.afriquejet.com/world-cup-brazil-2014-qualifier-dr-congo-togo-2012061140127.html
http://www.goal.com/en/match/78002/libya-vs-cameroon/report

Libya 1 - Togo 1

Togo welcomed Libya to Lome to begin both teams' Group I campaigns.  Togo had made it through to the CAF Second Round after a tight 2-1 aggregate victory over Guinea-Bissau, but now the level of play was raised facing 2012 African Cup of Nations finalists Libya.  Togo forward Emmanuel Adebayor and goalkeeper Kossi Agassa quit the team due to disorganization, so the hosts would have to make do.  Togo scored an opener before the ten-minute mark (picture), but Libya quickly equalized by the quarter-hour mark.  Libya remain on the offensive through the half, which ended at one goal apiece.

Libya continued to dominate offensively until the final quarter hour of the match.  At this point, Togo's finishing let them down and let Libya off the hook as no further goals were scored.  The final score was 1-1.

Cameroon 3 pts +1
Libya 1 pts 0
Togo 1 pts 0
DR Congo 0 pts -1

Goals
Togo
Kalen Damessi 8

Libya
Ahmed Zouay 15

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en/match/78001/togo-vs-libya/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWLyQClnmK0

Cameroon 1 - DR Congo 0

Cameroon started their 2014 FIFA World Cup without Samuel Eto'o, who is serving an eight-month suspension from the Indomitable Lions.  The Democratic Republic of the Congo paid a visit to Cameroon in Yaounde.  Goalkeeper Carlos Kameni (pictured, purple) made a couple saves in the opening half to keep it level at zero.

In the second period, Eric Choupo Moting (picture, 13) was chopped down in the DR Congo penalty area.  He dusted himself off and scored the winning goal.  Despite a lackluster home performance, Cameroon win 1-0 to take an early lead in Group I.

Goals
Cameroon
Eric Choupo Moting 58 PK

Match Reports:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18311005

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