Ivory Coast, Egypt on track for next Cup of Nations
Defending champions Ivory Coast, as well as Egypt and Algeria, have won a second Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in their bid to reach the 2025 finals, but Cameroon and Nigeria stumbled on a busy day of matches across the continent.
There were a total of 15 games played on Tuesday as the second round of qualifiers for the next finals in Morocco came to a conclusion.
A third and fourth round will be played next month and then the last two rounds in November after which the field for the 24-team tournament will be decided.
With the top two teams in each group qualifying, the Ivorians look on course to ensure they will be on hand to defend their title after beating Chad 2-0 away in Cameroon and sit three points clear at the helm of Group G.
Chad are among the many African countries barred from hosting international games until they upgrade their stadiums and are forced to play their home games at neutral venues.
Egypt's Mahmoud Trezeguet got two goals in the first half hour and Mohamed Salah added to the tally as they won 4-0 away to Botswana to lead Group C.
Algeria were 2-0 up inside 25 minutes in Liberia and went on to win 3-0 to top Group E, opening up a four-point advantage.
Cameroon, whose two matches were again overshadowed by the power struggle for control of the team between the country's football federation and its sports ministry, were held to a 0-0 draw by Zimbabwe in Kampala.
The Premier League enjoys much popularity in Uganda and Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana did not disappoint with several key stops to keep Cameroon's goal intact.
Nigeria were held 0-0 away to Rwanda and they lead Group D by a point from Benin.
Mali midfielder Yves Bissouma scored early for a 1-0 victory away to Eswatini as they joined Mozambique, 2-1 home winners over Guinea Bissau, on four points in Group I.
For a second straight game, South Africa substitute Thalenthe Mbatha netted five minutes into added time in Group K, securing a 3-2 win in South Sudan.