Sports
South Africa edge Senegal as Egypt, Ghana trail Uganda
The race to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia hots up with South Africa and Burkina Faso battle for leadership following their respective victories at the weekend.
South Africa converted a penalty that should not have been awarded as they beat Senegal 2-1 in Polokwane and trail Group D leaders Burkina Faso on goal difference.
Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly was judged to have handled the ball just before half-time, but big-screen replays proved that it rebounded off his legs.
Captain Thulani Hlatshwayo netted the spot-kick and Thulani Serero added a soft second goal in first-half stoppage time for a flattering two-goal advantage.
Read also: Moses, Mikel wreck Algeria as Nigeria top group
The visitors dominated the second half and halved the deficit on 76 minutes when Cheick N’Doye slammed the ball into the net from close range after two attempts were blocked.
Burkina Faso rocked Cape Verde by scoring twice within 29 minutes of the kick-off in Praia, then survived sustained second-half pressure for a 2-0 victory.
Banou Diawara struck after two minutes in the multi-island state off Senegal and Prejuce Nakoulma doubled the lead.
Burkina Faso and South Africa have four points each, Senegal three and Cape Verde are pointless.
Meanwhile, Uganda followed up a shock draw in Ghana last month by edging Congo Brazzaville 1-0 in Kampala thanks to goal from Belgium-based teenager Farouk Miya on 18 minutes.
Victory completed a memorable year for the east Africans as they also booked a place at the biennial Cup of Nations tournament for the first time since 1978.
Uganda have four points in Group E, Egypt three, Ghana one and Congo are pointless. Egypt host Ghana in Alexandria on Sunday.
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