Southern Africa’s Mozambique and Zambia on Wednesday established 1-0 first-leg leads through contrasting goals in FIFA 2018 World Cup second-round qualifiers.
An unstoppable 55th-minute drive by Helder Pelembe from just outside the penalty area earned the Mambas a 1-0 victory over Gabon at Estadio Zimpeto in Maputo.
At the other end of the continent, a defensive mix-up by Sudan at Karima Stadium north of Khartoum gifted Winston Kalengo a 28th-minute winner for 2012 African champions Zambia.
Mozambique started and ended the opening half impressively, while Gabon created several chances in between, with Guelor Kanga rattling the woodwork.
The lone goal came when South Africa-based Pelembe ran on to a through-ball and cracked a shot past veteran goalkeeper and captain Didier Ovono.
A muscular injury ruled out star Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, scorer of 22 goals in 20 appearances this season for Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund.
Gabon officials did not immediately clarify whether the 26-year-old would be available for the return match in Libreville tomorrow.
Sudan goalkeeper Akram El Hadi Salim and defender Ramadan Agab must share the blame for the Zambia goal on a part-dustbowl pitch unsuitable for international soccer.
Each hesitated, waiting for the other to clear a ball played into the penalty area, and Kalengo nipped in to fire home at Karima Stadium.
The victory installs Zambia as favorites to qualify after the second leg in Ndola on Sunday and reach the five-group third round.
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