Rwanda, Egypt face tough qualification times

2010 World/Africa Nations Cup QualifierSatZambia 1-0 RwandaSunAlgeria 3-1 Egypt

• Group C rivals Rwanda and Egypt now face an even sterner test in their campaign to qualify for the 2010 World/ Africa Nations Cup after their weekend defeats.
• Rwanda lost 1-0 to Zambia while the African Champions were humbled by Algeria 3-1.
• Rainford Kalaba headed home Zambia’s winning goal in the 79th minute although the margin of victory could have been bigger had it not been for the heroics of the Amavubi stopper Jean Claude Ndoli.
• Ndoli proved why experience is a great asset at this stage when he saved Collins Mbesuma’s spot kick after a clumsy challenge by Amavubi’s defender Aloua Gaseruka.
• The APR goal keeper also made a couple of other top quality saves to deny the Chipolopolo a much bigger win.
• The victory coupled with a 1-1 draw in their opening qualifier against Egypt took Zambia to four points.
• The Northern African encounter had a great deal of pressure attached to it, with both sides; Algeria and Egypt desperately needing a win to increase their odds of making it to South Africa.
• However, it was the home side, who got the needed result thank to strikes from Karim Matmour, Abdel Kader Ghezza and Rafik Djebbour.
• The result was virtually done and dusted, but the Pharaohs managed a late consolation goal through their midfielder Mohamed Abu-Treika.
• Algeria’s victory took them to the summit of Group C. Algeria moved to four points but top the Group on goal difference.
• Rwanda is third while Egypt is at the foot of the group also on goal difference.
• In Group A, Cameroon failed to bounce back to World Cup contention after being held to a barren home draw by the Atlas Lions of Morocco.
• Gabon on the other hand made it two wins out of two as they easily beat 10-man Togo 3-0 in Libreville.
• The result means Gabon have six points while Togo is on three, thanks to their win over Cameroon last time out. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso kept up their 100% starts in Group E.
• Ivory Coast defeated Guinea 2-1 while Burkina Faso recorded a 1-0 win over Malawi.
• In group B, Nigeria trounced Kenya 3-0 to keep the chase on Group Two leaders Tunisia.
• Inter Milan ace Obinna Nsofor netted a brace while Ikechukwu Uche scored the opener.