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African WCQ round-up

Benin produced the shock result of Sunday's African World Cup qualifiers as they beat Mali 1-0 in Group H.

Benin shock Mali; Nigeria beat Namibia; South Africa earn point

Benin produced the shock result of Sunday's African World Cup qualifiers as they beat Mali 1-0 in Group H. Mali, at 39th in the world, were the highest-ranked team in action, but they were upset by the 124th-ranked Benin thanks to Razak Omotoyossi's 18th minute goal at the Stade de l'Amitie. Nigeria opened their Group F campaign with a hard-fought win over Namibia. John Utaka's first-half strike was disallowed and it looked as though the Super Eagles would have nothing to show for their dominance of the game, but Ikechukwu Uche popped up with a deserved winner 10 minutes from time. The 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa had to come from behind to earn a point against Ethiopia in Group A.

Underdogs

Said Saladin put the underdogs ahead on the half-hour mark, but Katlego Mphela saved Bafana Bafana's blushes with a 77th minute equaliser. Angola were also denied maximum points by Uganda, who grabbed a dramatic, late equaliser in the Group J clash at the Cidadela. Emmanuel Okwi was Uganda's hero, snatching a point after the hosts had led for 80 minutes through Djalma Campos' eighth minute goal. Ibrahima Traore scored the only goal as Guinea scraped to victory over Zimbabwe in Harare in Group G. Group E remains all square across the board after Gabon were held to a goalless draw in Niger, matching Saturday's scoreline between Burkina Faso and Congo. Togo and Libya drew 1-1 in Group I. Kalen Damessi gave Togo a 14th minute lead but Ahmed Zouay equalised within a minute.

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