Ghana qualifies for WC

ACCRA (Ghana): Ghana became the first African nation to qualify for the World Cup after beating Sudan 2-0 on Sunday.

Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari and Chelsea’s Michael Essien scored the goals either side of the break that ensured Ghana would top Group D and clinch a spot in South Africa next June with two games to spare.

Ghana’s victory coupled with Mali drawing 1-1 with Benin enabled the Black Stars to become the seventh nation to join host South Africa in next year’s 32-nation tournament.

Brazil qualified on Saturday to join the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, North Korea and South Korea.
Tunisia on course

Tunisia is on course to join Ghana in South Africa after midfielder Oussama Darragi’s last-minute equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw against Nigeria and kept the North Africans top of Group B.

Tunisia twice came from behind to maintain a two-point lead over Nigeria and boost the country’s hopes of a fourth successive appearance at the World Cup.

Sliti Nabil had initially equalised for Tunisia in the 25th minute soon after Peter Odewingie Osazie’s opener.

Michael Eneramo, who plays for Esperance in Tunisia, came off the bench to put Nigeria in front again with 10 minutes remaining, but Darragi took advantage of poor defending to secure the point.

Mozambique stayed third, two points adrift of Nigeria as Manuel “Tico Tico” Bucuane’s second-half goal sealed a 1-0 victory over Kenya.

Mozambique has four points from four games, while Kenya is last place with three points.
Morocco holds Togo

In Group A, Togo missed out on a chance to take over the lead from idle Gabon after bottom-placed Morocco scored an injury-time equaliser.

Morocco substitute Adel Taarabt pounced late to cancel out Moustapha Salifou’s fourth-minute goal and earn a 1-1 draw.

Togo made its debut at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and is now second in Group A with five points from four games, one behind leader Gabon which has six points from three.

Later on Sunday, Algeria beat Zambia 1-0 at home to move atop Group C. Rafik Saifi scored in the 59th minute, volleying past Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene.

Algeria has 10 points from four games, three more than Egypt. Zambia has four points, and Rwanda is last with one.

Only the top team in each of the continent’s five qualifying groups will play in South Africa next year.