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Ivory Coast secured a place at the World Cup finals in South Africa next year after Didier Drogba struck within two minutes of coming on as a substitute to clinch a 1-1 draw with Malawi.

The Ivorians, needing only a draw with the bottom-placed team in African qualifying Group E, had to come from behind after the hosts took a surprise 64th minute lead through Jacob Ngwira.

Drogba's immediate intervention from the substitutes' bench put the favourites back on course and they held out for the point they needed.

The result brought an end to the Ivorians' 100 per cent run in the group but confirmed a second successive trip to the World Cup for the west African nation.

This is the second time Ivory Coast is in the World Cup, said Drogba. You know, the country has never done that before. So, it is good for us. We are really happy.

Cameroon, bidding to qualify for the World Cup for an African record sixth time, moved within one victory of securing their passage to next year's finals by beating Togo 3-0.

A third successive win in Group A kept leaders Cameroon one point ahead of Gabon with the final round of matches coming up next month.

In Yaounde, Geremi gave the Indomitable Lions the lead just after the half-hour, one minute after having his penalty stopped by Togo's Kodjovi Obilale.

Jean Makoun and Achille Emana added two more goals after the interval as Cameroon, coached by Frenchman Paul LeGuen, coasted to victory.

Togo's torment was summed up when Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor was taken off midway through the second period.

Gabon beat Morocco 3-1 in Libreville to keep up their hopes after losing two games to Cameroon last month.

Egypt won 1-0 at Zambia to keep their hopes of qualifying alive.

Midfielder Hosni Abd Rabou struck midway through the second half of a tense clash at the Konkola Stadium to put Hassan Shehata's side level on points with Group 3 leaders Algeria, who host Rwanda on Sunday.

The Pharaohs had ridden their luck but keeper Essam El-Hadary made saves from Rainford Kalaba and Chris Katongo while former Portsmouth striker Collins Mbesuma blasted over after running clean through.

Egypt improved and, after a left-wing run by Sayed Moawad, Abd Rabou fired a right-foot shot into the top corner.

A 3-1 defeat at Algeria and a goalless draw at home to Zambia at one stage left reigning African champions Egypt five points adrift of their North African rivals.

But with the last group match seeing the pair face-off in Cairo on November 14, a win for Egypt could see them through to the finals for the first time since 1990.

Ghana have already qualified from Group D, while South Africa qualify as hosts.

Reuters