Sunday's showdown between Ghana and Nigeria threw up the match of the weekend in the first leg of the final round of African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers.
Ghana came back from two goals down to beat their west African rivals 3-2 in a thrilling game in Accra.
Musa Kabiru put Nigeria ahead with a double strike in the 21st and 44th minutes, before Asante Kotoko winger Francis Coffie replied with two goals of his own - the second a superb shot that deflected in off the Nigerian defence.
Samuel Inkoom sealed victory for Ghana on 74 minutes.
There were six other first leg games over the weekend as 14 teams aimed to qualify for the finals in the Ivory Coast next February.
"We have a big chance, we need only a 2-0 win in Khartoum and we can make it"
Tanzania put in a fine performance to take a two-goal advantage to Sudan, after beating the visitors 3-1 in Dar es Salaam.
Sudan's coach Mohammed Abdallah Mazda, however, has not given up on his side's chances of qualification, telling BBC Sport his side can get the two goals necessary to complement their away goal.
"We have a big chance, we need only a 2-0 win in Khartoum and we can make it," he said. "It's very possible."
Zimbabwe return home with a 1-0 advantage after stunning neighbours South Africa at the Super Stadium in Atteridgeville .
Zambia also scored a vital away goal through Given Singuluma, as they beat Angola 1-0 in Luanda.
Cameroon were beaten 2-0 at home by DR Congo, while in the North Zone qualifier, Morocco overcame Libya 3-1, thanks in part to two goals from Mustapha Allaoui.
Guinea travel to Senegal also with a 1-0 lead after edging out their visitors.
The second legs take place over the weekend of the 12-14 of December.
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