JOHANNESBURG: Chad scored just after half-time to shock Sierra Leone 1-0 Saturday as 2018 World Cup qualifying continued in Africa.

Central African Republic, forced to play a home game against Madagascar in Antananarivo because of violence in Bangui, suffered a predictable 3-0 loss.

Making a rare international appearance, Eritrea fell 2-0 at home against far higher ranked Botswana as the 13 first-leg schedule was completed.

The 13 overall winners of the ties after the second legs, which run till Thursday, join the 27 top-ranked African teams in a second round of home-and-away eliminators during November.

Winger Leger Djimrangar struck on 47 minutes to bring the Chadians success in N’Djamena over opponents 54 places higher on the world rankings.

Central African Republic are a match for most teams in Bangui but having to play improving Madagascar twice in Antananarivo had a demo­ralising effect on the team and a three-goal ‘home’ def­eat leaves them on the brink of elimination.

Goals from Michael Rabeson and Njiva Rakoto­harimalala gave the Madaga­scans a comfortable half-time advantage and captain Paul Johann added a third midway through the second half.

Eritrea remain without a World Cup victory after seven matches spanning four qualifying competitions having conceded a goal to Botswana in each half at Cicero Stadium in Asmara.

Galabgwe Moyana gave the Zebras the lead midway through the opening half and experienced Joel Mogorosi scored the second midway through the second half.

Published in Dawn, October 12th , 2015

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