The home continent of the 2010 World Cup is close to having its 5 qualifying sides defined for The Great Tournament. The 1st team to officially qualify is Ghana. The Black Stars defeated Sudan 2-0 at home to secure top spot in Group D. Goals by Inter midfielder Sulley Muntari & Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien sealed the victory. Ghana have yet to give up a goal in the final group stage of WC qualifying.

Côte d'Ivoire moved closer to securing qualification for 2010 with their 5-0 home destruction of Burkina Faso at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny. Chelsea hitman Didier Drogba scored twice as Les Éléphants maintained their perfect record in Group E. Côte d'Ivoire only need a draw in their next match against Malawi to officially qualify for The Great Tournament.

Cameroon moved to the top of Group A with back to back wins against surprise side Gabon. On Saturday, Cameroon defeated Gabon 2-0 on the road in Libreville and then 4 days later toppled Gabon 2-1 at home in Yaounde. Inter Milan goal assassin Samuel Eto'o scored in both matches to see the Indomitable Lions better position themselves for the World Cup.

Continental powers Egypt & Nigeria are facing an uphill drive for qualification in their respective groups. African champions Egypt beat Rwanda 1-0 on the road, a late 2nd half goal by Al-Ahly midfielder Ahmed Hassan secured the 3 points. The Pharaohs still trail Group C leaders Algeria by 3 points with 2 matches remaining.

Nigeria drew 2-2 at home against Group B leaders Tunisia. The share of points was a big blow to the Super Eagles who trail Tunisia by 2 points in Group B, Nigeria have only 1 win in the final group stage of qualifying. Tunisia's #10 Oussama Darragi scored in the 89th minute to keep The Eagles of Carthage in 1st place and hand Nigeria its 3rd draw of final stage qualification.

Here are the results and standings from African WCQ:

GROUP A STANDINGS


SATURDAY, SEPT. 5

Gabon 0 - 2 Cameroon
CAM: Achille Emana (66') & Samuel Eto'o (68')

SUNDAY, SEPT. 6

Togo 1 - 1 Morocco
TOG: Moustapha Salifou (4')
MOR: Adel Taarabt (90'+2')

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9

Cameroon 2 - 1 Gabon
CAM: Jean Makoun (25') & Samuel Eto'o (64')
GAB: Daniel Cousin (90')

GROUP B STANDINGS


SUNDAY, SEPT. 6

Mozambique 1 - 0 Kenya
MOZ: Tico-Tico (67')

Nigeria 2 - 2 Tunisia
NIG: Peter Odemwingie (23') & Michael Eneramo (80')
TUN: Sliti Nabil (24') & Oussama Darragi (89')


GROUP C STANDINGS


SATURDAY, SEPT. 5

Rwanda 0 - 1 Egypt
EGY: Ahmed Hassan (68')

SUNDAY, SEPT. 6

Algeria 1 - 0 Zambia
ALG: Rafik Saifi (59')

GROUP D STANDINGS


SUNDAY, SEPT. 6

Benin 1 - 1 Mali
BEN: Mohamed Aoudou (87')
MAL: Mahamadou Samassa (72')

Ghana 2 - 0 Sudan
GHA: Sulley Muntari (14') & Michael Essien (52')

GROUP E STANDINGS


SATURDAY, SEPT. 5

Malawi 2 - 1 Guinea
MAL: Chiukepo Msowoya (46', 59')
GUI: Oumar Kalabane (37')

Côte d'Ivoire 5 - 0 Burkina Faso
CIV: Saidou Panandetiguiri (og 9'), Drogba (48', 64'), Yaya Toure (54'), Keita (68')