Algeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup are left in tatters after a 3-1 defeat away to Zambia in Lusaka in Group B.
A Brian Mwila brace helped Zambia keep their 2018 World Cup qualification dream alive with a 3-1 win over Algeria on Saturday, leaving the Desert Foxes’ hopes of reaching Russia in tatters.
The result in Lusaka moves Zambia up to second in Group B after three matches, five points behind leaders Nigeria.
Algeria – who were without playmaker Riyad Mahrez – are bottom of the standings on just one point.
Only the group winners will qualify for next year’s World Cup.
| 2018 World Cup qualifiers for Africa (rounds 3 and 4) | |
|---|---|
| Thursday: | Monday: |
| Uganda 1-0 Egypt (Grp E) | Cameroon v Nigeria (Grp B) |
| Guinea 3-2 Libya (Grp A) | Libya v Guinea (Grp A in Tunisia) |
| Friday: | Tuesday: |
| Ghana 1-1 Congo (Grp E) | Congo v Ghana (Grp E) |
| Nigeria 4-0 Cameroon (Grp B) | South Africa v Cape Verde (Grp D) |
| Cape Verde 2-1 South Africa (Grp D) | Ivory Coast v Gabon (Grp C) |
| Morocco 6-0 Mali (Grp C) | DR Congo v Tunisia (Grp A) |
| Tunisia 2-1 DR Congo (Grp A) | Burkina Faso v Senegal (Grp D) |
| Saturday: | Egypt v Uganda (Grp E) |
| Zambia 3-1 Algeria (Grp B) | Mali v Morocco (Grp C) |
| Gabon v Ivory Coast (Grp C) | Algeria v Zambia (Grp B) |
| Senegal v Burkina Faso (Grp D) | |
Zambia’s Brian Mwila scored the first of his two goals from a powerful header off a well-placed Augustine Mulenga cross in the sixth minute.
Mwila added a second after 32 minutes, this time with a close-range shot after Algerian goalkeeper and captain, Rais Mbolhi, failed to keep hold of the ball.
Algeria fought back in the second half and were rewarded with a goal from just outside the box by Yacine Brahimi in the 53rd minute.
The Desert Foxes were given a further boost just three minutes later when Zambia’s Fashion Sakala was sent off for a second yellow card.
However, Algeria found it difficult to get the equaliser and two minutes from time, substitute Enock Mwepu scored Zambia’s third to make it 3-1 to the hosts.
The result all-but ends Algeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but keeps Zambia’s slim hopes alive.
The two teams will meet again in Constantine on Tuesday.
