CAPE TOWN, June 17 (Reuters) – Ethiopia and the Democratic
Republic of Congo joined the list of former African Nations Cup
winners through to the final round of qualifiers for the 2013
finals on Sunday.
Ethiopia continued their sudden revival over the last month
as they drew away in Benin to advance on the away goals rule
while the Congolese had a routine win over the Seychelles,
Africa’s smallest nation.
Also advancing after Sunday’s matches were Mozambique, Togo
and Zimbabwe.
Ethiopia, who have made an impressive start to World Cup
qualifying over the last fortnight, were again successful in the
Nations Cup as Adnane Girma scored the decisive away goal in
Cotonou. The 1-1 draw on Sunday followed a goalless tie in
Addis Ababa in February in the first leg.
Congo beat the Seychelles 3-0 in Kinshasa with goals from
Dieumerci Mbokani,Issama Mpeka and Deo Kanda. They progress 7-0
on aggregate.
German-based striker Knowledge Musona scored a 36th minute
to give 10-man Zimbabwe a narrow 1-0 home triumph over Burundi
and advance on the away goals rule. They had lost February’s
first leg away 2-1.
Togo won in the same fashion over Kenya in Lome thanks to
Serge Gakpe’s second half winner.
Mozambique eliminated Tanzania in a dramatic post-tie
penalty shootout after they ended 2-2 on aggregate. Mozambique
won 8-7 on penalties in Maputo.
Progressing earlier on the weekend were former champions
Algeria, Cameroon, Nigeria.
The 14 winners of the first round ties go to the final round
where they will be paired against the 16 teams who competed at
the 2012 Nations Cup, also to be played over two legs later this
year. The draw is scheduled for July 5.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson; Editing by John Mehaffey)
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