Djibouti
Djibouti have shipped 18 goals and currently have a -16 goal difference after their defeat in all four of their group stage games.
Their low point was an 8-0 hammering by Algeria, although they did score two against Niger in a 4-2 home defeat.
The Shoremen of the Red Sea (Riverains de la Mer Rouge) as the team is nicknamed sits fourth in Group A with zero points and with two games to the end of the qualifying rounds, at home against Algeria and away to Niger.
Niger
Niger also stands as the second Group A team to have lost all hopes of qualifying to Qatar. The “Ménas” as the team is nicknamed have as well been punished at the hands of Algeria, losing 6-1 in Blida before a 4-0 defeat in Niamey on Tuesday.
With just one victory — against Djibouti — from four games, they’re also out of the running.
Niger sits third in Group A with 3 points — scoring only 5 goals and conceding 14.
Mauritania
Mauritania have failed to build on their qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, taking just one point from their four matches in Group B.
Al-Murabitun as the team is popularly called are bottom of the group table — scoring just a goal in their 2-1 defeat against Zambia in the first qualifying game and conceding 6 in all 4 matches played thus far.
Malawi
Heroes of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, Malawi took three points on Gameweek 2 when Richard Mbulu’s early effort downed Mozambique in Johannesburg.
The odd of qualifying to Qatar was forever against the Flames from the onset, having been placed in a tough group which includes nightmare opponents, Cameroon and Ivory Coast.
Mozambique
Currently bottom of Group D after four matches, Mozambique would never have expected this scenario after they held out for an impressive point in a 0-0 draw with the Ivory Coast on Matchday One.
The Mambas (Os Mambas) failed to build on that fine display as they lost to Malawi before back-to-back defeats to Cameroon in Gameweek 3 and 4.
Kenya
The appointment of Firat Engin hasn’t worked at all for the Harambee Stars, who drew their first two games against Uganda and Rwanda, but were completely eclipsed by Mali.
Kenya have conceded 7 goals so far in the competition and scored onlyu one. With just two matches to go, a win in all [the remaining matches] for the East African country wouldn’t be possible to oust Mali who are on top of the table — at least for now — with 10 points.
Rwanda
With the best defensive record of any of the eliminated teams, Rwanda have only conceded four goals in all four matches thus far.
However, the 1 point accrued in the qualifiers hasn’t been enough for the Amavubis (Kinyarwanda for The Wasps) and three 1-0 defeats have condemned them to an early elimination.
Angola
Angola looked excellent earlier this month as they defeated Gabon 3-1 at home, but a 2-0 loss away against the Panthers ultimately means an early exit.
The Black Levers (Palancas Negras) who made their first and only World Cup appearance in 2006 will look back at a 1-0 home defeat by Libya last month as their main regret on their Road to Qatar.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is another side who have failed to build on Nations Cup qualification.
Ethiopia defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 in Gameweek Two, thanks to Aschalew Tamene’s 94th-minute penalty, but meetings with Ghana and South Africa proved too much.
The Walias’ limitations were exposed in their 3-1 unravelling at home in last week’s meeting with Bafana Bafana. Ethiopia also failed to redeem themselves in Johannesburg after Midfielder, Gibeto Getaneh scored an own-goal in the 11th minute in the 1-0 defeat to South Africa.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe may well be questioning how they’ve fallen so far short after a series of encouraging displays.
The Warriors were arguably the stronger side in their 1-0 defeat by Ghana, only for a goalkeeper error to allow Thomas Partey in to score, and their defence wasn’t beaten during the first 184 minutes of the qualifying campaign.
Togo
One of three victims of Senegal’s group stage dominance, Togo have taken four points so far, but there will be no repeat of 2006’s unlikely qualification.
Although the Sparrowhawks (Les Éperviers) sit second in Group H, a win in the remaining 2 games of the qualifying round won’t be enough to surpass Senegal, who have already qualified to the final stage of the 2022 World Cup (African) qualifiers.
Namibia
Namibia took the lead in their first two matches, and will rue dropping two points in their opening 1-1 draw with Congo-Brazzaville.
The Brave Warriors were outclassed by Senegal across both matches — conceding seven goals — although they did lay a glove on the Teranga Lions, by scoring in each bout.
Congo-Brazzaville
Congo drew both of their away games — against Namibia and Togo — but their home defeat by the latter on Tuesday ultimately takes them out of contention.
The Red Devils (Diables Rouges) were also holding Senegal 1-1 at home heading into the final eight minutes of their meeting in Brazzaville, only to capitulate at the death.
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau started the campaign so strongly, by holding Guinea and thumping Sudan 4-2 away in one of the results of the whole qualifying programme so far.
But back-to-back defeats by Morocco — conceding eight in the process — was a harsh reality check for the Djurtus.
Guinea
The biggest nation eliminated so far, Guinea will surely have been hoping to have pushed Morocco right to the limit to progress from this group.
Ultimately, the National Elephants (Syli Nationale) endured a miserable campaign, failing to win any of their four games, although the military coup that prompted a rescheduling of their home game against Morocco must be acknowledged.
Sudan
Returning to the continental high table next year after a successful Afcon qualifying campaign, Sudan couldn’t maintain that momentum.
Zero victories in four games leaves the Falcons of Jediane with much work to do before the Nations Cup.
