World Cup qual - Chelsea duo inspire wins in Africa

Eurosport - Sun, 21 Jun 15:29:00 2009

Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Michael Essien helped their respective countries move closer to World Cup qualification as Ivory Coast and Ghana both scored away wins in the qualifying campaign.

2008 African Cup of Nations Ghana Michael Essien - 0

Drogba grabbed the winning goal as the Ivory Coast ended Burkina Faso's unbeaten run in the African preliminaries with a 3-2 win in Ouagadougou.

His club mate Essien (pictured), meanwhile, proved pivotal in midfield as two goals from Dutch-based striker Matthew Amoah saw Ghana overpower Sudan 2-0 away in Khartoum.

Both Ghana and the Ivorians have a maximum nine points from three games and head their groups at the halfway point of the campaign to win a spot in South Africa for next year.

There was an important away win for Algeria too while Nigeria got a potentially decisive point in Tunisia but Morocco's chances look bleak after they were held to a goalless draw at home by Togo.

Drogba's 70th-minute finish ensured a second away win this month for the Ivorians, who have a three point lead in Group E.

Yaya Toure had put the away side into a 13th minute lead but Burkina Faso, who had been unbeaten in their eight previous qualifiers, came back through German-based midfielder Jonathan Pitroipa.

An own goal after half-time restored the Ivorian lead before Drogba added a cushion which they held onto despite Aristides Bance pulling a goal back.

Amoah struck early for Ghana in their Group D match and added a another midway through the second half to help Ghana also win away for the second time this month.

Algeria snatched a 2-0 win away at Zambia in Group C and are three points clear after goals from Majid Bougherra and Rafik Saifi.

Tunisia remain top in Group B but Nigeria are just two points behind them and have an easier run in the second half of the preliminary programme.

Nigeria weathered a first half storm from their hosts in Tunis but might have snuck an away win if Michael Eneramo had taken up a late chance.

Kenya beat Mozambique 2-1 in Nairobi in the same group for their first points of the final round group campaign.

Mounir El Hamdaoui missed a penalty as Morocco, who have qualified for four previous World Cup finals, gained only their second point in Group A in 0-0 tie with Togo in Rabat.

The top team from each of the five groups qualifies for the finals. Two more qualifying matches in Guinea and Mali are being played on Sunday.

Reuters

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  1. Good luck for Didier and Essien. You have both made­ Chelsea proud. Continue and do not look bacwards. The­ future is brighter for you my brothers. Am very proud­ of you guys. (ONYEOMA AFRICA 00).

    From gkanzi, on Mon 22 Jun 6:16PM

  2. both chelsea players son

    From chelseaboy, on Mon 22 Jun 11:15AM
  3. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    One player is from the Ivory Coast and the other one is­ from Ghana . Why should Chelsea get any credit­ whatsoever ?

    From Tim, on Sun 21 Jun 8:04PM

  4. forza Ghana

    From Aresco, on Sun 21 Jun 5:47PM

  5. i wish Ghana all the best, but the politicians should­ stays away, I mean, the 1.3bn cedis refreshment NDC­ politicians. Pascal

    From kwaku, on Sun 21 Jun 5:32PM

  6. Essien wo ye macho

    From kwaku, on Sun 21 Jun 5:23PM

  7. come on ghana

    From Mandy, on Sun 21 Jun 2:20PM

  8. My loving Eagles still need some energy upfront. I­ loved our game because we played Tunis out eventhough,­ they are more experienced than Super Eagles....Good job­ Eagles, Tunis will get 3 at home and thats a fact!­ Drogba and Essien are the men!!!!!! Egypt has been the­ team to beat ever since and i hope they qualify for­ SA'10. Any African team @ SA'10 will surely do­ Africa proud...

    From Dynamic, on Sun 21 Jun 2:17PM

  9. ghana all d way bang bang

    From Edward, on Sun 21 Jun 2:00PM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

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  11. African football has many stars now, but Egypt are the­ best many of their players play in there home league­ and continue to dominate african football.

    From amyperrett, on Sun 21 Jun 11:22AM

  12. Ghana oooo Ghana

    From Kofi, on Sun 21 Jun 11:17AM
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