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Home  » Sports » Cameroon undefeated, Angola ousted

Cameroon undefeated, Angola ousted

Last updated on: October 13, 2008 09:58 IST
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Samuel Eto'o scored twice to take his World Cup qualifying tally to six goals and lead Cameroon to an easy 5-0 win over Mauritius on Saturday.

The victory meant Cameroon completed the first group phase of African qualifiers unbeaten, seven point clear of the Cape Verde Islands at the top of Group One.

Barcelona striker Eto'o, who had scored four goals in as many starts, opened the scoring on 26 minutes and got his second from the penalty spot two minutes into the second half.

Substitute Albert Meyong Ze added two more and Olympique Lyon midfielder Jean Makoun was also on target.

IVORY COAST QUALIFY

Germany-based striker Boubacar Sanogo scored twice to ensure an easy 3-0 win for the Ivory Coast over Madagascar on Saturday and a place in the final phase of the African qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup finals.

The Ivorians, who competed at the 2006 finals in Germany, finished top of African zone Group Seven, ahead of Mozambique.

Ivory Coast, who needed a draw only at home to their island opponents, went ahead 1-0 at halftime through Sanogo who was set up by strike partner Bakary Kone.

Kone rounded the goalkeeper and delivered a square pass for Sanogo to score again in the 55th minute and Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou converted a penalty 10 minutes later for the third.

MALAWI BEAT CONGO

Russell Mwafulirwa scored twice in the second half to hand Malawi a 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo in their World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

The result ensured second place for Malawi in African zone Group 12 but they will have to wait until the end of the weekend's full programme of qualifiers to confirm their progress to the final phase of the 2010 World Cup preliminaries.

Congo, who as Zaire were the first black African side to reach the World Cup finals in 1974, were eliminated after finishing third.

The visitors took an early lead after a powerful long range shot from Lomana LuaLua in the 12th minute. Mwafulirwa equalised early in the second half and then notched the winner eight minutes from time.

GABON STUN LIBYA

Gabon earned a 1-0 win over Libya on Saturday to keep their World Cup qualifying hopes alive and end the dreams of their visitors.

Bruno Mbanangoye's goal 13 minutes from time ensured Gabon finished runners-up on goal difference in the African zone Group Five standings behind Ghana, who beat Lesotho 3-0 in Sekondi.

Gabon are likely to go through as one of the eight best runners-up but must wait until the end of the weekend's programme of qualifiers before their progress is confirmed.

Libya, who needed a draw to win the group and secure a place in next year's final phase of African qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, dropped from first place to third.

All three sides have 12 points but Ghana go through to the next round with a goal difference of plus six while Gabon are second on plus five and Libya finished with plus three.

GUINEA OUST KENYA

Guinea became the last side to clinch their place in the final phase of Africa's 2010 World Cup qualifiers with a 3-2 win over Kenya in Conakry on Sunday.

The result ensured Guinea finished top of the Group Two standings, edging Kenya by a single point. Kenya also progressed to the last group phase as one of the eight best group runners-up.

Ismael Bangoura kept up his prolific goal scoring record for Guinea with a first-half goal set up by Fode Mansare.

Two more goals from defender Mamadou Bah and Kamil Zayatte after the hour mark increased Guinea's lead but Kenya fought back with two goals from French-based striker Dennis Oliech in the last eight minutes. Oliech's second came with the final touch of the game.

ANGOLA ELIMINATED

Angola came from a goal down to beat Niger 3-1 in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday but bowed out of the campaign despite finishing second in their group.

Angola, who were 1-0 down at half time, fell short of the points needed to finish among the eight best group runners-up who progress to the final phase of African qualifying along with the 12 group winners.

It is a major setback for Angola, who host the next African Nations Cup finals and were surprise finalists at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Malam Moussa put Niger into a 20th minute lead in their final Africa zone Group Three game but an own goal from goalkeeper Daouda Kassali shortly after halftime began Angola's fight back.

Gilberto and Ze Kalanga added goals in the 68th and the 73rd minute after Niger had been reduced to 10 men with the sending off of Lassina Abdoulkarim.

Angola's win ended the outside hopes of group rivals Uganda, who had won 2-1 at home to Benin earlier on Sunday but it handed Mozambique a place in the final phase, who now edge into the list of best runners-ups.

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Source: REUTERS
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