Cape Verde close to qualifying for maiden world cup, Egypt delayed

Cape Verde opened a four-point gap at the top of group D following their 1-0 stunning victory over the Cameroon.

The Blue Sharks got the winner through Dalion Livramento’s solo effort after the break in Praia.

With 19 points, Cape Verde need one win from the remaining two matches while The Indomitable Lions must now win all their matches and hope the Blue Sharks falter.

Burkina Faso delay Egypt party

In Group A, Egypt will have to wait until match day nine to seal their place after they were held to a goalless draw by Burkina Faso.

The Pharaohs are on 19 points, also four points ahead of the Stallions and need just one win out of two games to qualify.

Senegal take charge of group B, chaos in Kinsasha

2002 World Cup quarter finalists Senegal rallied from 2-0 down to beat DR Congo 3-2 in Kinsasha to take charge in group B.

Cedric Bakambu and Yoana Wissa put the Leopards in charge after 33 minutes but the Lions of Teranga replied through goals from Pape Gueye who halved the deficit in the first half.

Eight minutes after the break, Nicholas Jackson levelled matters and Pape Matar Sarr got the winner three minutes to time to seal victory.

Senegal exchanged top position with DR Congo climbing top with 18 points, two ahead of Sebastien Desabre’s men.

The defeat rubbed the DR Congo fans the wrong way and they vandalised the Stade de Martyrs’ stadium leading to chaotic exchanges with security.

South Africa, Ivory Coast held but maintain lead

Elsewhere, Ivory Coast kept their one-point advantage over Gabon at the summit of Group F after securing a goalless draw away against the Panthers.

The reigning continental champions, who last featured at the World Cup in 2014 are now on 20 points while Gabon remain close in second place with 19 points.

Neither will fancy dropping points in the last two match rounds if they are to play in Mexico, USA and Canada come next year.

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana also kept their top spot in group C after a 1-1 draw with Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

An own goal from William Trost-Ekong gave the hosts a deserved early lead but Fulham’s Calvin Bassey equalised late in the first half.

With Benin beating Lesotho 4-0, they move to second place on 14 points, three adrift of South Africa who are on top with Nigeria and Rwanda tied on 11 points in 3^rd and 4^th respectively.

Only the nine group winners in African qualifying are assured of a place at the finals, with the four best-ranked second placed sides entering play-offs for one spot at an intercontinental tournament next year.

Morocco and Tunisia have already secured passage to the finals.