SOUTH Africa and Zambia secured big wins today in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers by beating Morocco and Cote d’Ivoire, while Benin Republic drew with champions Senegal.
In Group K, Bafana Bafana shocked Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco 2-1 to rise to the top of the table.
South Africa took a fifth minute lead at the massive FNB Stadium in Johannesburg through an own goal by Morocco’s Munir, and Zakhele Lepasa made it 2-0 three minutes after the restart.
Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech pulled one back for the Atlas Lions in the 60th minute but Bafana Bafana held on to stretch their unbeaten run to seven games.
Hugo Broos’ side top the three-team group with seven points, one ahead of the Atlas Lions, with Liberia third on just one point.
In Group H, Zambia smashed Cote d’Ivoire 3-0 with an own goal from Nottingham Forest defender Serge Aurier and strikes from Leicester City striker Patson Daka and Kings Kangwa.
Chipolopolo shot to the top of the standings with 12 points and sealed their AFCON ticket, with tournament hosts Cote d’Ivoire second, two points behind.
Comoros, who defeated Lesotho 1-0 away, are third with six points. Lesotho are bottom with one point.
In Group L tonight, hosts Benin Republic scored a late equaliser to hold champions Senegal to a 1-1 draw to stay in contention.
The Squirrels, handled by former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr, equalised through Rachid Moumini in the 79th minute after Abdoulaye Seck had given the already qualified Teranga Lions the lead two minutes before half-time.
Senegal are on top of the standings by quite a distance with 12 points, followed by Mozambique on four points and Rwanda on three points, with Benin Republic bottom, also on three points.
Mozambique visit Rwanda tomorrow with both sides knowing a win will all but guarantee their passage to the tournament.
In Group J, Equatorial Guinea defeated visitors Tunisia 1-0 to go top and confirm their place in the competition, with the Carthage Eagles also through despite the defeat.
Botswana defeated Libya 1-0 in a battle of teams already eliminated.
PHOTO: South Africa national team.
