Algeria outshine Rwanda

ALGERIA kept alive their 2014 World Cup hopes after a slim 1-0 win over hosts Rwanda in Kigali on Sunday.The Serie A club Bologna midfielder Saphir Taider netted the lone goal of the game in the 50th minute to roundup Algeria’s points to 12 in Group H.Algeria presently top the group while Rwanda tails with two points. Mali and Benin who were due to play last night are second and third with seven and four points respectively.Algeria was hoping that Benin holds Mali in bid to qualify for the second phase and if the hosts win, they will wait for the final match which will be played in Algiers to decide who goes into the play-off.The hosts missed only two chances to find the net through striker Medie Kagere and skipper Olivier Karekezi but the visitors who dominated the game wasted plenty of goal scoring chances with goalie Jean Claude Ndoli playing his usual role of saving Amavubi from shame with his superb reflex saves.A defensive miscomunication from defender Salomon Nirisarike and Faustin Usegimana helped Taider to shoot past Ndoli as they helplessly searched for a goal to keep their qualification hopes intact.The absence of suspended Haruna Niyonzima cost Amavubi midfield dearly though coach Eric Nshimiyimana started with Tumaine Ntamuhanga who was later substituted by Arsenal reserve club’s Alfred Mugabo in the midfield. Papy Sibomana also replaced Jean Claude Iranzi while striker Michel Ndahinduka substituted Andrew Buteera to beef up the midfield but they couldn’t maintain the pressure from visitors.Bugesera striker tried to exert pressure on Madjid Bougherra and Esseid Belkalem but could not find his way through past as he was fouled by Guedioura Adlane.Feghouli Sofiane, Taider and Brahimi Yacine were constant threats for Amavubi but the youthful side stood to their toes and denied the visitors easy penetration.This was the first time that Algeria had secured a win against Amavubi in Kigali in five attempts.Rwanda’s final qualifying match will be away to Benin on September 6 in Porto Novo.Meanwhile, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia and Egypt have qualified for the final round of the Africa World Cup qualifying phase. Egypt disposed of Mozambique 1-0 at the Estadio da Machava in Maputo to complete a flawless run of five victories on five matches with a total of 15 points.Once again, in form striker Mohamed Salah was the man to hand the Pharaohs their final win in the second round of the qualifying, to finish top scorer with five goals on tie with Algeria’s Islam Slimani at this level of the competition.Yaya Toure scored a brace in Ivory Coast’s 4-2 victory over Tanzania in Dar es Salaam, a result which puts the Elephants into the final phase. Lacine Traore and Winfred Bony wer also on target for the Elephants while Amri Kiemba and Thomas Ulimwengu scored consolation goales for Tanzania.Ethiopia’s Black Lions secured their visa for the playoffs of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers after beating South Africa 2-1 at the Addis Abeba National Stadium.South Africa’s Bafana Bafana got engaged early in the game by an opening goal by Bernard Parker who later gave the home side victory through an unfortunate own goal on the 70 minute. Ethiopia’s opener had come through Getaneh Kebede.With a matchday to go, Ethiopia tops Group A with 13 points keeping South Africa five points behind while Botswana and Central African Republic are fourth and fifth with four and three points respectively.

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Algeria outshine Rwanda