**2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group H**
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group H was one of the twelve groups that determined the teams qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament held in Egypt. The group consisted of four national teams competing in a round-robin format, with the group winner and the best runners-up securing qualification to the final tournament.
—
## 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Group H
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group H was part of the qualification phase for the 32nd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, Africa’s premier international men’s football championship organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The qualification process took place between June 2017 and March 2019, involving 51 national teams divided into twelve groups. Group H featured four teams competing for a spot in the final tournament held in Egypt from June to July 2019.
### Teams
Group H was composed of the following national teams:
– **Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)**
– **Guinea**
– **Central African Republic**
– **Rwanda**
These teams were drawn together based on the CAF’s seeding and draw procedures, which considered FIFA rankings and past performances.
### Format
The qualification format for Group H followed a double round-robin system, where each team played every other team twice—once at home and once away. Teams were awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. The group winner qualified directly for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals. Additionally, the best runners-up across all groups also qualified, depending on their points tally and other tiebreakers.
### Schedule
Matches in Group H were played over six matchdays, spanning from June 2017 to March 2019. The schedule was arranged to accommodate international breaks and allowed teams to prepare adequately for each fixture.
—
## Standings and Results
### Final Standings
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|———-|———————–|——–|—–|——-|——|———–|—————|—————–|——–|
| 1 | Ivory Coast | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 4 | +6 | 13 |
| 2 | Guinea | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 11 |
| 3 | Central African Republic | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 4 |
| 4 | Rwanda | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 2 |
Ivory Coast topped the group with 13 points, securing direct qualification to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Guinea finished as runners-up with 11 points but also qualified as one of the best runners-up across all groups. Central African Republic and Rwanda were eliminated from the competition.
### Match Results
#### Matchday 1
– **Ivory Coast 3–0 Rwanda**
Ivory Coast began their campaign strongly with a convincing home win against Rwanda, showcasing their attacking prowess.
– **Guinea 2–1 Central African Republic**
Guinea secured a narrow victory at home, gaining an early advantage in the group.
#### Matchday 2
– **Rwanda 1–1 Guinea**
Rwanda earned their first point of the campaign in a hard-fought draw against Guinea.
– **Central African Republic 0–2 Ivory Coast**
Ivory Coast continued their winning form with an away victory.
#### Matchday 3
– **Ivory Coast 1–1 Guinea**
A tightly contested match ended in a draw, reflecting the competitive nature of the group leaders.
– **Rwanda 2–1 Central African Republic**
Rwanda achieved their first win, boosting their hopes in the qualification race.
#### Matchday 4
– **Guinea 3–0 Rwanda**
Guinea responded emphatically with a dominant home win.
– **Ivory Coast 2–0 Central African Republic**
Ivory Coast maintained their unbeaten record with a solid home victory.
#### Matchday 5
– **Central African Republic 1–2 Guinea**
Guinea secured a crucial away win to strengthen their position in the group.
– **Rwanda 0–1 Ivory Coast**
Ivory Coast edged out Rwanda in a closely contested match.
#### Matchday 6
– **Guinea 1–1 Ivory Coast**
The final group match ended in a draw, confirming Ivory Coast as group winners.
– **Central African Republic 2–0 Rwanda**
Central African Republic ended their campaign with a home win.
—
## Key Players and Performances
### Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast, traditionally one of Africa’s football powerhouses, relied on a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talents. Key players included:
– **Nicolas Pépé**: The winger was instrumental in creating scoring opportunities and contributed several goals.
– **Wilfried Zaha**: Known for his pace and dribbling, Zaha provided attacking impetus.
– **Serge Aurier**: The right-back offered defensive solidity and support in attack.
Ivory Coast’s balanced squad and tactical discipline were decisive in topping the group.
### Guinea
Guinea demonstrated resilience and tactical organization throughout the qualifiers. Notable players included:
– **Naby Keïta**: The midfielder, playing for a top European club, was central to Guinea’s midfield creativity.
– **Franck Kessié**: Although Ivorian by birth, Kessié was not part of Guinea’s squad; instead, Guinea relied on local talents and other diaspora players.
– **Ibrahima Traoré**: The winger contributed with goals and assists.
Guinea’s ability to secure points both home and away was key to their qualification as runners-up.
### Central African Republic
Central African Republic showed moments of promise but lacked consistency. Their squad was composed mainly of domestic league players and a few based abroad. Despite limited resources, the team managed to secure some positive results.
### Rwanda
Rwanda struggled to make an impact in the group, facing tough opposition. The team focused on building experience and developing young players for future competitions.
—
## Qualification Impact and Aftermath
### Ivory Coast
By winning Group H, Ivory Coast qualified directly for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, marking their 14th appearance in the tournament. Their qualification reinforced their status as one of Africa’s leading football nations. At the finals, Ivory Coast was considered a strong contender, with ambitions to win their third AFCON title.
### Guinea
Guinea’s qualification as one of the best runners-up was a significant achievement, reflecting the progress of their national team. The team aimed to build on this success and improve their performance in the final tournament.
### Central African Republic and Rwanda
Both teams were eliminated but gained valuable experience from competing against higher-ranked opponents. Their participation contributed to the development of football infrastructure and talent in their respective countries.
—
## Statistical Overview
– **Total Matches Played**: 12
– **Total Goals Scored**: 29
– **Average Goals per Match**: Approximately 2.42
– **Top Scorers**: Players from Ivory Coast and Guinea led the scoring charts in the group.
—
## Conclusion
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group H was a competitive group featuring established and emerging African football nations. Ivory Coast’s consistent performances earned them the top spot, while Guinea’s resilience secured them a place in the finals as well. The qualification process highlighted the growing competitiveness of African football and set the stage for an exciting AFCON tournament in Egypt.
—
**Meta Description:**
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group H featured Ivory Coast, Guinea, Central African Republic, and Rwanda competing for spots in the 2019 AFCON finals. Ivory Coast topped the group, with Guinea also qualifying as runners-up.