South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) took significant steps on Sunday toward qualifying for the 2004 African Nations Cup in Tunisia.
A goal by substitute Siyabonga Nomvete midway through the second half gave South Africa a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast and left the teams level in Group 11 with seven points each.
Bafana Bafana need a point from the final mini-league fixture in Burundi on July 6 to qualify from the toughest of the 13 pools while the Elephants look set to miss the finals for the first time since 1982.
Back after a one year injury-induced absence, Italy-based Nomvete started and finished the move that settled a tight, tense tussle in Polokwane. Shaun Bartlett headed South Africa in front after 21 minutes and Bonaventure Kalou levelled before half-time, turning the ball into the net after a free kick was not cleared. The Ivorian missed a ‘sitter’ soon after.
Merlin Mpiana was the DRC hero, scoring both goals in a 2-1 victory over Libya before a 100 000 crowd crammed into the National Stadium in Kinshasa. Ahmed al-Masli equalised five minutes into the second half.
Success lifted the Lions to 10 points in Group 9 and Swaziland have eight after beating Botswana 3-2 in Lobamba with Siza Dlamini scoring twice for the Burning Spear and Sibusiso Dlamini once.
DRC complete their programme away to bottom-of-the-table Botswana while Swaziland face a much tougher assignment in Libya, who remain in contention three points behind the leaders.
Benin boosted their chances of a first appearance at the biennial showcase of African football with a 1-0 win in Tanzania courtesy of a 61st-minute goal from Alain Gaspo.
The Squirrels lie one point behind leaders Zambia, surprisingly held 1-1 in Lusaka by Sudan, but will enjoy home advantage when the two contenders meet on July 6.
Goalkeeper Rachad Chitou was the Benin star, making superb saves to foil Emmanuel Gabriel and Victor Costa as the Taifa Stars fought to end a run of four consecutive Group 3 losses.
Brazil-born Alessandro Faria scored in each half as Togo beat Kenya 2-0 in a top-of-the-table Group 5 clash in Lome, but the Harambee Stars from East Africa are still favoured to finish first with a home game against Cape Verde to come.
Uganda were eliminated from the race despite holding four time champions Ghana 1-1 in Kumasi. Assani Bajaba gave the visitors an early lead they held until Charles Amoah struck with six minutes left.
Rwanda must beat Ghana in Kigali to go through from Group 13 with any other result sending the Black Stars to the 16-nation tournament that already has four finalists — hosts Tunisia, holders Cameroon, Algeria and Nigeria.
A comfortable 2-0 win for Ethiopia over Niger in Addis Ababa brought them level with Guinea in Group 2, but the east Africans must visit Conakry next month and have an inferior goal difference.
Mozambique should have won much more decisively than 1-0 at home to the Central African Republic in a Group 4 encounter settled by a 71st-minute penalty Andre ‘Jossias’ Macamo converted. – Sapa-AFP