| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 7 October 2016 – 14 November 2017 | 
| Teams | 20 (from 1 confederation) | 
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 61 | 
| Goals scored | 144 (2.36 per match) | 
| Attendance | 1,773,205 (29,069 per match) | 
| Top scorer(s) | (5 goals)  | 
The third round of CAF matches for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification was played from 7 October 2016 to 14 November 2017.
Format
A total of 20 teams which had advanced from the second round were drawn into five groups of four teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches. The winners of each group qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Seeding
The draw for the third round was held on 24 June 2016, 17:00 EET (UTC+2), at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.[1]
The seedings – initially released on 8 June 2016 – were based on a special edition of the FIFA World Rankings that included all matches up to 7 June 2016. This allowed the rankings to include results of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification games played between 3–5 June 2016.[2] However, following a complaint by the Egyptian Football Association, it was reported that a further special ranking would be used.[3] This seeding was released on 21 June.[4] Following further complaints,[5] the Emergency Bureau for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers reversed the change, and restored the initial special rankings.[6]
- Pot 1 contained the teams ranked 1–5.
 - Pot 2 contained the teams ranked 6–10.
 - Pot 3 contained the teams ranked 11–15.
 - Pot 4 contained the teams ranked 16–20.
 
Each group contained one team from each of the four pots. The fixtures of each group were decided based on the respective draw position of each team, which was decided by drawing a ball with position numbers 1–4.[7]
Note: Bolded teams qualified for the World Cup.
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 | 
|---|---|---|---|
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  | 
  | 
  | 
Groups
| 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification tiebreakers | 
|---|
In league format, the ranking of teams in each group was based on the following criteria (regulations Articles 20.6 and 20.7):[8]
  | 
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 14 | Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup | — | 2–1 | 0–0 | 2–0 | ||
| 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 7 | +7 | 13 | 2–2 | — | 4–0 | 3–1 | |||
| 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 10 | −6 | 4 | 0–1 | 1–2 | — | 1–0 | |||
| 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 14 | −8 | 3 | 1–4 | 1–2 | 3–2 | — | 
| Tunisia  | 2–0 | |
|---|---|---|
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Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
| Guinea  | 3–2 | |
|---|---|---|
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Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
| Libya  | 1–0 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
| Libya  | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 6 | +5 | 13 | Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup | — | 1–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | ||
| 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 8 | 1–2 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | |||
| 3 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 9 | −2 | 7 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | |||
| 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 10 | −4 | 4 | 3–0[lower-alpha 1] | 0–1 | 1–1 | — | 
- ↑ FIFA awarded Algeria a 3–0 win as a result of Nigeria fielding the ineligible player Shehu Abdullahi, after the match had ended in a 1–1 draw. Abdullahi failed to serve a one-game ban after receiving two yellow cards in the qualifying competition.[9]
 
| Algeria  | 1–1 | |
|---|---|---|
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Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
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| Algeria  | 0–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
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| Nigeria  | 1–0 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
| Algeria  | 3–0 Awarded[note 2]  | |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
  | 
| Zambia  | 2–2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
  | 
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | +11 | 12 | Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup | — | 0–0 | 3–0 | 6–0 | ||
| 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 8 | 0–2 | — | 1–2 | 3–1 | |||
| 3 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | −5 | 6 | 0–0 | 0–3 | — | 0–0 | |||
| 4 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 9 | −8 | 4 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | — | 
| Ivory Coast  | 3–1 | |
|---|---|---|
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Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
  | 
| Morocco  | 3–0 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 14 | Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup | — | 0–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | ||
| 2 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 6 | +4 | 9 | 2–2 | — | 4–0 | 1–1 | |||
| 3 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 12 | −8 | 6 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | 2–1 | |||
| 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 10 | −3 | 4 | 0–2[lower-alpha 1] | 3–1 | 1–2 | — | 
- ↑ FIFA ordered a replay of the original South Africa v Senegal match after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the lifetime ban of match referee Joseph Lamptey. Originally South Africa had defeated Senegal 2–1.[10]
 
| Burkina Faso  | 1–1 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
  | 
| South Africa  | Annulled[note 3] | |
|---|---|---|
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Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
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| South Africa  | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
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Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
  | 
Group E
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 13 | Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup | — | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | ||
| 2 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 9 | 1–0 | — | 0–0 | 1–0 | |||
| 3 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 7 | 1–1 | 0–0 | — | 1–1 | |||
| 4 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 12 | −7 | 2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–5 | — | 
| Congo  | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
| Uganda  | 1–0 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
| Uganda  | 1–0 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
| Ghana  | 1–1 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
  | 
| Congo  | 1–1 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
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| Ghana  | 1–1 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)  | 
  | 
Goalscorers
There were 144 goals scored in 61 matches, for an average of 2.36 goals per match.
- 5 goals
 
- 4 goals
 
- 3 goals
 
- 2 goals
 
 Yacine Brahimi
 Banou Diawara
 Alain Traoré
 Vincent Aboubakar
 Nuno Rocha
 Garry Rodrigues
 Cédric Bakambu
 Jonathan Bolingi
 Neeskens Kebano
 Dieumerci Mbokani
 Ndombe Mubele
 Abdallah El Said
 Naby Keïta
 Seydou Doumbia
 Hakim Ziyech
 Kelechi Iheanacho
 Alex Iwobi
 John Obi Mikel
 Cheikh N'Doye
 Diafra Sakho
 Percy Tau
 Collins Mbesuma
 Patson Daka
- 1 goal
 
 Nabil Bentaleb
 Hillal Soudani
 Issoufou Dayo
 Bertrand Traoré
 André-Frank Zambo Anguissa
 Benjamin Moukandjo
 Clinton N'Jie
 Franck Pangop
 Banana Yaya
 Marvin Baudry
 Thievy Bifouma
 Arnold Bouka Moutou
 Férébory Doré
 Vladis-Emmerson Illoy-Ayyet
 Yannick Bolasie
 Chancel Mbemba
 Paul-José M'Poku
 Shikabala
 Mario Lemina
 Axel Méyé
 Edwin Gyasi
 Alkhaly Bangoura
 Demba Camara
 Keita Karamokoba
 Seydouba Soumah
 Maxwel Cornet
 Gervinho
 Max Gradel
 Jonathan Kodjia
 Hamdou Elhouni
 Ali Elmusrati
 Motasem Sabbou
 Akram Zuway
 Sambou Yatabaré
 Fayçal Fajr
 Medhi Benatia
 Nabil Dirar
 Achraf Hakimi
 Mimoun Mahi
 Odion Ighalo
 John Ogu
 Moses Simon
 Keita Baldé
 Sadio Mané
 Kara Mbodji
 Opa Nguette
 Ismaïla Sarr
 Moussa Sow
 Dean Furman
 Thulani Hlatshwayo
 Andile Jali
 Tokelo Rantie
 Thulani Serero
 Sibusiso Vilakazi
 Themba Zwane
 Aymen Abdennour
 Anice Badri
 Mohamed Ben Amor
 Änis Ben-Hatira
 Ghailene Chaalali
 Wahbi Khazri
 Yassine Meriah
 Milton Karisa
 Farouk Miya
 Emmanuel Okwi
 Enock Mwepu
- 1 own goal
 
 Wilfred Moke (against Tunisia)
 Ousmane Sidibé (against DR Congo)
 Salif Coulibaly (against Ivory Coast)
 Thamsanqa Mkhize (against Senegal)
Notes
- 1 2 3 Libya played their home matches outside Libya due to security concerns from the civil war.
 - ↑ FIFA awarded Algeria a 3–0 win as a result of Nigeria fielding the ineligible player Shehu Abdullahi, after the match had ended in a 1–1 draw. Abdullahi failed to serve a one-game ban after receiving two yellow cards in the qualifying competition.[9]
 - ↑ On 6 September 2017, the Bureau for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers annulled the result of the South Africa v Senegal match on 12 November 2016, and ordered that it be replayed within the November 2017 international window, which was confirmed by the Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions on 14 September 2017.[11] Originally, South Africa had defeated Senegal 2–1, but match referee Joseph Lamptey was banned for life by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on 20 March 2017 for unlawfully influencing the match after issuing a penalty for handball against Senegal:[12] this decision was upheld by the FIFA Appeal Committee, and subsequently by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 6 September 2017.[10]
 
References
- ↑ "June draw for third round of African Zone qualifiers". FIFA.com. 20 November 2015. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016.
 - ↑ "OFFICIAL: Egypt in Pot 2 for African World Cup qualifiers draw". kingfut.com. 8 June 2016. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
 - ↑ "PHOTO: FIFA to release new special ranking for Africa". kingfut.com. 16 June 2016. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
 - ↑ "2018 FIFA W/Cup draw holds Friday". Vanguard Nigeria. 22 June 2016. Archived from the original on 22 June 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
 - ↑ "FIFA cancels corrected ranking, keeping Egypt in Pot 2". kingfut.com. 22 June 2016. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
 - ↑ "Africa gears up for draw for third round of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers". FIFA.com. 22 June 2016. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
 - ↑ "Road to Russia mapped out for African hopefuls". FIFA.com. 24 June 2016. Archived from the original on 1 September 2016.
 - ↑ "Regulations – 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia" (PDF). FIFA.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2016.
 - 1 2 "Latest decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee". FIFA.com. 12 December 2017. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
 - 1 2 "South Africa vs. Senegal World Cup qualifier to be replayed in November". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 6 September 2017. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
 - ↑ "OC for FIFA Competitions approves procedures for the Final Draw of the 2018 FIFA World Cup". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 September 2017. Archived from the original on 14 September 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
 - ↑ "Match official banned for life due to match manipulation". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 20 March 2017. Archived from the original on 7 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
 
External links
- Official FIFA World Cup website
- Qualifiers – Africa: Round 3, FIFA.com
 
 - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – Qualifiers, CAFonline.com