adminMorocco’s loss in Tanzania was the biggest surprise, while 2012 African champions Zambia were held to a draw in Lesotho and Senegal and new African kings Nigeria were held at home.
As only the 10 group winners advance to the final round of qualifying, the dropped points will undoubtedly increase the pressure and the chances of a major shock moving forward. The Super Eagles were expected to enjoy a bit of a walk in the park at home against their East African opponents, however, it turned out to be anything but as 20-year-old Kahata gave the visitors the lead when he scored direct from a free-kick.
The hosts, who had enjoyed the upperhand until that time, continued going forward in search of an equaliser but were thwarted time and again by Harambee Stars goalkeeper Origi Otieno. The Lillestrom custodian, however, was unable to prevent substitute Oduamadi scrambling a shot over the line from close range to give the Super Eagles a dramatic share of the spoils.
With five points, Nigeria lead Group F on goal difference over Malawi, who won 1-0 in Namibia.
Ethiopia maintained their lead at the top of Group A with a 1-0 victory at home against Botswana. South Africa played themselves back into second in the table with a 2-0 win in Cape Town against the Central African Republic, but they remain two points behind the Walya Antelopes. Congo stayed strong in Group E, as their 1-0 victory — courtesy of a goal by English Premier League star Christopher Samba — against Gabon saw them maintain their 100 percent record. They lead the group by six points over Burkina Faso, who trounced Niger 4-0, while Niger and Gabon are also on three points.
In Group B, Tunisia have a similarly convincing lead after Oussama Darragi and Wahbi Khazri gave them a 2-1 win against Sierra Leone.
The North Africans are perfect on nine points, while Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea have four. Emilio Nsue, who was a member of the Spanish Under-21 squad that won the 2011 Uefa European Under-21 Championships, scored a hat-trick as Equatorial Guinea won a thriller against Cape Verde 4-3.
Ivory Coast continue to top Group C after their 3-0 win against Gambia, but the Elephants are surprisingly being tracked by Tanzania, who won 3-1 against Morocco with Mbwana Samata scoring a brace. The Ivorians have seven points, one more than the Taifa Stars.
Senegal, whose quarter-final finish at the 2002 Fifa World Cup remains their only finals appearance, drew their Group J game 1-1 against 2006 finalists Angola.
Moussa Sow gave the Lions of Teranga a first-half lead, but Amaro equalised for the visitors with 15 minutes to go. Senegal top the group with five points, one ahead of Liberia, who secured a 2-0 victory against Uganda.
Zambia, who disappointed at the most recent Caf African Cup of Nations, had goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene sent-off and suffered a set-back in their attempts to qualify for a first Fifa World Cup.
Despite drawing 1-1 in Maseru, Zambia continue to lead Group D by a point from Ghana, who beat Sudan 4-0.
Mali came from behind to defeat Rwanda 2-1 and move to the top of Group H, while Guinea drew 0-0 in Mozambique in their Group G game.
The two final games (Egypt-Zimbabwe and Algeria-Benin) will be played today.
Results
Congo 1-0 Gabon
Cameroon 2-1 Togo
Nigeria 1-1 Kenya
Ivory Coast 3-0 Gambia
Namibia 0-1 Malawi
Senegal 1-1 Angola
Burkina Faso 4-0 Niger
Tunisia 2-1 Sierra Leone
South Africa 2-0 Central African Republic
Tanzania 3-1 Morocco
Lesotho 1-1 Zambia
Mozambique 0-0 Guinea
Rwanda 1-2 Mali
Congo DR 0-0 Libya
Ethiopia 1-0 Botswana
Ghana 4-0 Sudan
Liberia 2-0 Uganda
Equatorial Guinea 4-3 Cape Verde Islands
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