Chad shocked Egypt 1-0, while Algeria came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Tanzania on Saturday in FIFA 2018 World Cup African first-leg qualifiers.
The Republic of the Congo won 4-3 in Ethiopia, while Botswana used home advantage to beat Mali 2-1 in a game that completed the 20 first-leg fixtures in the second round of qualifying for Russia.
Chad triumphed in N’Djamena two months after suffering a 5-1 Africa Cup of Nations drubbing from Egypt at the same ground.
FLYING HEADER
Tunisia-based captain Ezechiel N’Douassel won the match with a flying header past Ahmed El Shenaway on 73 minutes at Stade Idriss Mahamat Ouya.
Forced to defend for much of the opening half against twice World Cup qualifiers Egypt, the home side took control after the break and the goal rewarded constant pressure.
The return match is scheduled for tomorrow in Alexandria, Egypt.
Islam Slimani struck twice within four minutes midway through the second half for four-time qualifiers Algeria, who are 109 places above Tanzania in the world rankings.
It was the second dramatic comeback in as many days in east Africa by a highly-ranked visiting team, with Senegal having come back from two goals down to draw 2-2 in Madagascar.
Lacking injured wingers Sofiane Feghouli and Yacine Brahimi, Algeria fell behind to a first-half Elias Maguri goal at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.
Mbwana Samatta, a key figure for this year’s Confederation of African Football Champions League winners TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, doubled the Taifa Stars’ lead on 55 minutes in Dar es Salaam.
However, Sporting Lisbon’s Slimani halved the deficit on 72 minutes and struck again soon after to let the Desert Foxes off the hook.
A goal feast at Addis Ababa Stadium saw Ethiopia take the lead and then fall 4-1 behind before scoring twice in the closing stages.
Getaneh Gibeto put the hosts ahead, while Thievy Bifouma leveled before half-time and Fabrice Nguessi, Delvin Ndinga and Hardy Binguila scored second-half goals for the visitors.
HECTIC CLIMAX
Dawit Fekadu and Shimelis Bekele scored in a hectic climax to leave Ethiopia needing at least two goals in Brazzaville to survive.
Botswana raced into a two-goal lead over Mali at Francistown Stadium through Tapiwa Gadibolae and Joel Mogorosi.
However, Samba Sow reduced arrears 11 minutes into the second half and Mali remain favorites to win the tie.
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