Football
ESPN staff 8y

African World Cup qualifying: DR Congo rally to open campaign with win

DR Congo and Guinea earned crucial away wins in the second round of African qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

All of the African sides must get through a two-legged tie before reaching the group stage.

Firmin Ndombe Mubele scored two late goals to rally DR Congo to a 3-2 win at Burundi.

Crystal Palace's Yannick Bolasie opened the scoring for DR Congo, only for Burundi to equalise through Cedric Amissi, who then put his side ahead in the 83rd minute.

But Mubele found the net in the 86th and 88th minute to give DR Congo an advantage ahead of their home leg.

Naby Keita scored in the first half to lead Guinea past Namibia 1-0, though Fousseni Bamba will miss the return leg after being sent off soon after half-time.

Uganda will also have a slim lead for their home leg after winning 1-0 at Togo, Farouk Miya scoring the only goal in the 39th minute.

West Brom's Stephane Sessegnon scored as Benin earned a 2-1 win at home over Burkina Faso.

After Sessegnon's penalty on the stroke of half-time, Prejuce Nakoulma equalised for the visitors, but Bello Babatounde found the winner four minutes from time.

Morocco are off to a solid start after defeating Equatorial Guinea 2-0.

Youssef El Arabi provided the lead on the half-hour mark, and although Adil Karrouchy was dismissed two minutes after half-time, the hosts were able to double their advantage through Yacine Bammou in the 66th minute.

The second round began on Wednesday as Mozambique surprised Gabon 1-0 thanks to Helder Pelembe's goal, and Zambia won 1-0 at Sudan with Winston Kalengo on the scoresheet.

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