South Africa fails to qualify for 2022 AFCON after loss to Sudan

South Africa missed out on qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations after losing to Sudan in their final group game on Sunday.

The 1996 champions were defeated 2-0 at the Al Khartum Stadium in Khartoum in a game which was a straight shootout between the two sides for the last remaining qualification spot from Group C. South Africa came into the game in second place on 10 points with Sudan one place and point behind them.

First half goals from Saifeldin Bakhit and Mohamed Abdel Raman earned the hosts a crucial victory which saw them finish in second place with 12 points overhauling their opponents who dropped to third.

Ghana, meanwhile, topped the group following a 3-1 win against Sao Tome e Principe in Kumasi. The four-time African champions scored through Nicholas Opoku, Jordan Ayew and Baba Rahman before Iniesta grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.

Meanwhile, Namibia denied Guinea a chance to finish top of Group A after they came from behind to defeat the West Africans 2-1 in Windhoek.

Peter Shalulile scored once in each half to secure the win after Mamadou Kane had given Guinea a lead early in the first half.

That saw Guinea finish in second on 11 points, two behind Mali who were awarded a 3-0 win against Chad who had been disqualified. Namibia finished third with nine points, winning their last two games which, however, were not enough to see them qualify.

Tunisia completed their qualification campaign without suffering defeat courtesy of a 2-1 win at home to Equatorial Guinea. Tunisia scored through Seifeddine Jaziri and an own goal by Carlos Akapo, while the visitors hit back through an own goal by Firas Chaouat.

Tunisia ended top of Group J with 16 points followed by Equatorial Guinea with nine points. Tanzania finished third with seven points following a 1-0 win against Libya in Dar es Salaam.

Eight games will take place on Monday as the final places up for grabs at the tournament will be decided.