Algeria took a giant stride toward reaching the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ by defeating Zambia 2-0 in Chililabombwe. Glasgow Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra put the 'Desert Foxes' ahead on 21 minutes and veteran midfielder Rafik Saidi of French club Lorient snatched the second with 66 minutes gone.

Victory lifted Algeria three points clear of the Zambian 'Copper Bullets' at the top of Group C midway through the final qualifying phase for the first FIFA World Cup to be staged by Africa. Rwanda and reigning African champions Egypt, who have one point each, meet on 5 July in a Cairo fixture delayed by the 'Pharaohs' participation in the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 this month.

Algeria have home advantage over Zambia and Rwanda in two of their remaining three fixtures and if they continue their good form and win both, it will raise their tally to 13 points. That would leave Egypt needing to win their four fixtures, including one at home to the 'Foxes', just to finish level on points with Algeria and have first place settled by goal difference. Those four outings include visits to Rwanda and Zambia, so an unfortunate Egyptian record of making it to the FIFA World Cup finals only once since qualifiers were introduced in Africa 49 years ago seems set to continue.

Defeat before a sell-out crowd at Konkola Stadium in the northern mining town was a massive blow for Zambia, who had begun dreaming of a place at the South Africa 2010 finals after holding Egypt in Cairo and defeating Rwanda at home. Bougherra struck against the run of play with a clinical finish off a free-kick and a Rafik Djebbour-led couterattack ended with Saidi tapping the ball into an empty net. Zambia coach Herve Renard from France made two half-time substitutions and his side continued to dominate possession, only to squander good scoring chances, especially in the closing stages.

Across Africa
Kenya edged Mozambique 2-1 in a Group B Nairobi match carrying greater significance in the race for a top-three finish and a ticket to the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola than the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. Tunisia and Nigeria, who meet today near Tunis, have taken an early stranglehold on the mini-league, with Kenya and Mozambique fighting to finish third.

The eliminators cover both competitions with the five group winners joining automatic qualifiers South Africa at the FIFA World Cup, while the teams finishing first, second and third in each pool enter the Nations Cup with Angola. Julius Owino gave the 'Harambee Stars' a half-time advantage, Elias 'Dominques' Pelembe levelled early in the second half and McDonald Mariga converted a 73th-minute penalty after being fouled.