Equatorial Guinea gets off to winning start as World Cup qualifying in Africa begins

Wed, Nov 15, 2023
Soccer News (AP)

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - Two Spanish-born players combined to give Equatorial Guinea a 1-0 win over Namibia on Wednesday in World Cup qualifying.

Emilio Nsue scored from inside the box in the 67th minute after controlling a cross from Iban Salvador at home in Malabo.

Both teams have qualified for the African Cup of Nations, which will be held in Ivory Coast in January.

Also Wednesday, Congo beat Mauritania 2-0 and Rwanda held Zimbabwe to a 0-0 draw as African qualifying for the 2026 World Cup got started. Both of those matches were played in Butare, Rwanda.

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Zimbabwe created more chances in the second half at Huye Stadium, but Claude Niyomugabo came closest to scoring for the host team when his shot went over the bar.

Zimbabwe was playing for the first time since its FIFA ban was lifted in July and for the first time under Brazilian-born coach Baltemar Brito, a former assistant to Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and Porto.

Later Wednesday, Ethiopia was to play Sierra Leone in El Jadida, Morocco.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer