Malawi keep Afcon hopes alive, disappointment for Madagascar, Mozambique

Malawi kept alive their hopes of a place at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals while Madagascar and Mozambique suffered defeat in their respective penultimate qualifiers on Wednesday.

Richard Mbulu’ goal early in the second half away against South Sudan kept Malawi on the trail of the top two teams in Group B but they must beat Uganda in their last qualifier at home on Monday to book their place.

Burkina Faso qualified from the group after drawing in Kampala on Wednesday, leaving a straight shootout between the Flames and the Cranes for the other berth at the finals in Cameroon next year.

Madagascar suffered a heavy 4-0 thrashing to Ethiopia in Bahir Dar and dropped to third in Group K. But they remain only two points behind Ethiopia, who end their campaign away at the Ivory Coast while Madagascar could conceivably still qualify for a second successive appearance in the finals if they win their last game at home against Niger next week.

Mozambique are also in a similar situation after losing 1-0 to Rwanda in Kigali.

Rwanda are now one point above them in second place in Group F but finish away in Cameroon while Mozambique could still finish in the top two if they beat the Cape Verde Islands in Maputo on Tuesday.

The Mambas are seeking to qualify for the first time since 2010.

Namibia were due to meet Chad in Group A action on Wednesday but handed a 3-0 victory when their opponents were disqualified by the Confederation of African Football.