Algeria, Tunisia move closer to reaching World Cup

CAIRO (AP) - Algeria and Tunisia moved a step closer to reaching the World Cup by winning qualifiers Sunday, while Nigeria's slender chances of advancing to next year's tournament in South Africa were kept alive by a last-minute goal.

While Algeria beat Rwanda 3-1 and Tunisia won 1-0 against Kenya, Nigeria was jeered by its own fans as their patience reached breaking point before Victor Nsofor Obinna scored the winning goal in Abuja.

Goals from Abdelkader Gezzal, Nadir Belhadj and Karim Ziani in Blida ensured Algeria only needs to avoid losing by three goals at Egypt on Nov. 14 to become one of the six African teams at the event.

Ghana, Ivory Coast and host South Africa are through. The other spots will be decided Nov. 14 in the final qualifying round.

The Algerians topped Group C with 13 points, three more than Egypt, and have a superior goal difference.

Rwanda took a 20th-minute lead when Mafisango Mutesa's shot deflected past goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui.

Gezzal headed the equalizer in the 22nd, Belhadj made it 2-1 just before halftime, and Ziani added an injury-time penalty.

Algeria should have had another goal when Antar Yahia's shot was well over the line before the ball was cleared.

Tunisia scored in the sixth minute in Rades through Issam Jomaa, and was moments away from qualification until Obinna's goal.

The Carthage Eagles lead Group B with 11 points, two more than Nigeria's Super Eagles. Both are unbeaten. The group winner will be decided when Tunisia visits Mozambique and Kenya hosts Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Ghana conceded its first goal in five qualifying games in Group D, losing 1-0 at Benin as substitute Mohamed Aoudou scored in injury time.

"We're satisfied to have won at home, and especially scoring against Ghana, which didn't need the win," Benin coach Michel Dussuyer said. "I am proud of my boys."

In Group D's other match, Frederic Kanoute scored in the 89th minute Sunday for Mali to beat 10-man Sudan, which had Saeed Mustapha Balla sent off in the 41st minute.

Mali is second with eight points in the group, four behind Ghana. Benin has seven points and Sudan is last with one point.

In Group E, Moumouni Dagano scored a goal in each half to give Burkina Faso a 2-1 win at Guinea and a place in next year's African Cup of Nations in Angola.