African Cup of Nations round-up

Cameroon won the last Cup of Nations

Only four places are left to be filled in next year's African Nations Cup finals after the penultimate round of qualifiers.

Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia and Togo have now qualified following their latest round of matches.

They join the hosts Mali, defending champions Cameroon, Senegal, and South Africa.

But there was also a fair share of heartache, no more so than in Harare where Zimbabwe once again left themselves with a mountain to climb after a last-gasp defeat against Ghana.

Group One

Last year's runners-up Nigeria booked their place at the finals with a 1-0 victory over Madagascar in Benin City.

A fifth minute goal from Benedict Akwuegbu secured a much-weakened Nigeria their place.

It was a less than convincing performance from the Super Eagles and the Malagasy fought hard to keep alive their own chances of reaching Mali 2002.

A lacklustre goalless draw between Zambia and Namibia in Chingola leaves both teams along with Madagascar on five points.

  Group One results

Nigeria 1-0 Madagascar

Zambia 0-0 Namibia

Final Fixtures

Madagascar v Zambia, Antananarivo, June 16

Namibia v Nigeria, Windhoek, June 16

Namibia host the Nigerians, and Zambia travel to Madagascar in two weeks time to decide who wins the group's other place at the finals.

Group Two

Liberia joined South Africa in next year's finals after a hard fought 1-1 draw in Monrovia.

It is only the second time that Liberia have qualified for the finals and it comes as a morale booster ahead of their last two World Cup qualification matches in July, where they are also handily placed to go to Japan and South Korea next year.

  Group Two results

Liberia 1-1 South Africa

Congo 0-0 Mauritius

Final fixtures

South Africa v Congo, Durban, June 16

Mauritius v Liberia, Curepipe, June 17

Bafana Bafana went ahead through Andrew Rabutla on 39 minutes, before Oliver Makor scored the equaliser for Liberia with a 48th-minute penalty.

The result in Monrovia meant the result in the other match in the group between Congo and Mauritius on Sunday night was academic. That match ended in a goalless draw.

Group Three

Morocco secured qualification with a 1-1 draw in Kenya.

The Kenyans played impressively and it was lack of finishing power that stopped them converting the numerous chances they created until they started to struggle later on.

The result leaves Kenya still in the race to qualify for their first finals since 1992.

  Group Three results

Kenya 1-1 Morocco

Gabon 1-1 Tunisia

Final fixtures

Morocco v Gabon, Casablanca, June 16

Tunisia v Kenya, Tunis, June 16

The Harambee Stars are now on six points, one clear of Gabon and Tunisia who both have five after a 1-1 draw in Libreville.

Veteran striker Faouzi Rouissi, who was recalled for the match, scored Tunisia's equaliser.

Group Four

Algeria made sure of qualification by beating Angola 3-2, but Burkina Faso still have work to do after a 0-0 draw away to Burundi.

Visitors Angola put up a tough challenge in Annaba, but could not equalise for a third time as defensive mistakes cost them dearly.

  Group Four results

Burundi 0-0 Burkina Faso

Algeria 3-2 Angola

Final Fixtures

Angola v Burundi, Luanda, June 17

Burkina Faso v Algeria, Ouagadougou, June 17

Burkina Faso found the going tough in Bujumbura and could not find the back of the net against their bottom-placed opponents.

With three points now separating Burkina and third-placed Angola, Burkina only need to draw against Algeria in the final game to ensure qualification.

Group Five

Togo qualified after a 3-0 away victory against Uganda in Kampala on Saturday.

A double strike from Abdelkader Coubadja, one in each half and another from Konadji Dogbe early in the second half secured Togo's place at the finals.

The result completes Group five as Uganda, on one point, stand no chance of reaching either top-placed Togo or Senegal, who both qualify. This follows the disqualification of Guinea.

  Group Five results

Uganda 0-3 Togo

Final Fixture

Togo v Senegal, Lome, June 1

Togo and Senegal are, however, scheduled to meet in the group's final game in two weeks time.

Group Six

Zimbabwe's jinx continued in Group Six with a 2-1 defeat at home against Ghana.

Ghana's winner came in injury time, ensuring their place in Mali 2002.

Zimbabwe still have a chance of qualifying but may need victory against DR Congo in two weeks, after the latter held Lesotho to a 0-0 draw in Maseru.

  Group Six results

Lesotho 0-0 DR Congo

Zimbabwe 1-2 Ghana

Final fixtures

DR Congo v Zimbabwe, Kinshasa, June 17

Ghana v Lesotho, Accra, June 17

The result in Harare continues years of disappointment for Zimbabwe who have never qualified for the African Cup of Nations.

Their final fixture is in Kinshasa, which is an intimidating prospect at the best of times.

Lesotho have a tough final game ahead, as they must play leaders Ghana in Accra.

Group Seven

The four-time African champions Egypt are back in the finals after a thrilling 3-2 win over bottom-placed Sudan in Cairo.

It was Sudan's first goals of the tournament but they came too late.

Egypt went ahead through a Ahmed Hossam strike after 20 minutes.

Then early in the second half it looked as if the Egyptians would walk away with it as Hossam and then Ahmed Salah Hosni extended the lead to 3-0.

  Group Seven results

Libya 0-3 Ivory Coast

Egypt 3-2 Sudan

Final fixtures

Ivory Coast v Egypt, Abidjan, June 17

Sudan v Libya, Khartoum, June 17

But the lowly Sudanese refused to give up and were rewarded with their first goal on 69 minutes through James Joseph.

A penalty in the dying minutes from Farouk Gabra made it 3-2 but that is where the fightback ended.

In Tripoli Ivory Coast secured their finals berth in far more convincing fashion with a 3-0 victory over Libya.

Abdelkader Keita scored the Ivorians' first goal to set them on their way.