JOHANNESBURG: Egypt, Ethiopia and Ivory Coast yesterday became the first countries to reach the play-offs in the Africa zone of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
A spectacular own goal by Bernard Parker gifted lowest Group A seeds Ethiopia a 2-1 triumph over 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa in Addis Ababa and an unassailable five-point lead with one round left.
Mohamed Salah followed up a hat-trick against Zimbabwe last weekend by scoring the goal that earned Egypt a 1-0 win over Mozambique in Maputo and established an eight-point Group G gap over Guinea.
Reigning African Footballer of the Year Yaya Toure netted twice in Dar es Salaam as Ivory Coast recovered from conceding a second-minute goal to defeat Tanzania 4-2 in Group C and they cannot be overtaken.
Ghana, who were quarter-finalists at the last World Cup, took a significant step toward reaching the play-offs with a 2-0 win over Lesotho in Maseru thanks to goals from Christian Atsu and captain Asamoah Gyan.
The ‘Black Stars’ moved one point ahead of Zambia in Group D and host the shock 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions in the final series of mini-league fixtures during September.
South Africa took on Ethiopia needing at least a point to stay in contention and an attacking approach paid off on 34 minutes when Parker cracked a half-volley into the far corner.
But the ‘Walyas Antelopes’ 19 places below ‘Bafana Bafana’ (The Boys) on the African rankings levelled just before half-time when Getaneh Kebede rifled the ball into the net from close range after a scramble.
The decisive goal came after 70 minutes when Parker fluffed an attempted clearance off an Ethiopian free kick, sending a flying header past goalkeeper and captain Itumeleng Khune into his own net. AFP
