JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Ivory Coast and Senegal moved closer to qualifying for next year's World Cup after resounding victories in the latest round of African qualifiers on Friday.
Ivory Coast beat Seychelles 7-0 to remain top of Group F ahead of Gabon, which defeated Gambia 4-3 away thanks to four goals from captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang — who also was sent off late in the game — to keep alive the team's hope of automatic qualification.
With one round remaining, Ivory Coast is one point ahead of Gabon and can clinch a spot at next year's tournament by beating Kenya in its last game.
Senegal beat South Sudan 5-0 to also remain top of its group, two points ahead of Congo, which won 1-0 away to Togo.
The Congolese will need a win in their last match against Sudan and hope that Senegal loses at home against Mauritania in order to qualify automatically.
Three teams still have a chance to qualify from Group C after Benin beat Rwanda 1-0 away while South Africa drew 0-0 with Zimbabwe.
That leaves Benin top of the group, two points ahead of South Africa, with Nigeria another point behind after beating Lesotho 2-1.
South Africa needs to convincingly beat Rwanda in the last round and hope Nigeria beat Benin in the last match.
{{/usCountry}}South Africa needs to convincingly beat Rwanda in the last round and hope Nigeria beat Benin in the last match.
{{/usCountry}}South Africa was docked three points by FIFA for fielding an ineligible player in its first match against Lesotho.
Tunisia, which has already qualified, beat Sao Tome and Principe 6-0 while Sudan and Mauritania drew 0-0.
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