Drogba keeps Ivory Coast perfect

CAPE TOWN - Didier Drogba scored twice to maintain the Ivory Coast’s perfect start to the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifiers on Sunday while other top contenders Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia also won.

Algeria won the eagerly anticipated North African derby against Morocco but needed a penalty to take the points.

The Ivory Coast is now effectively one win away from booking a place at next January’s tournament, to be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, after having to come from behind to beat Benin 2-1 in Accra, the capital of Ghana.

They have won all three matches to open up a five point lead in Group H.

Forced to play the match in neighboring Ghana because of the security situation in their own country, the Ivorians were behind when a slip by goalkeeper Daniel Yeboah allowed a long-range shot from Seidath Tchomogo to trickle in.

But Drogba, who spoke before the match of the importance of a win to lift the mood of the country, equalized on the stroke of halftime and headed home the winner 15 minutes from the end.

Ghana, which faces a dash from central Africa to London for their Tuesday friendly against England at Wembley, kept ahead in its group with a comfortable 3-0 away win in Brazzaville against Congo.

Prince Tagoe opened the scoring after 20 minutes and Dominic Adiyiah, who is on loan at Partizan Belgrade with Tagoe, nodded in a John Paintsil cross before the break.

Sulley Muntari, who had been doubtful before the match, scored within three minutes of coming on as second-half substitute.

Sudan, which beat Swaziland 3-0 at home on Sunday, is just behind Ghana in Group I on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Peter Utaka and Ike Uche got two goals each for Nigeria in their 4-0 romp at home in Abuja over Ethiopia, but they are still one point behind Guinea in Group B.

Guinea equalized only five minutes from time through Mamadou Bah to draw 1-1 in Madagascar on Sunday.

Goals from James Chamanga and Emmanuel Mayuka ensured a 2-0 win for Zambia away in Mozambique in Group C. Zambia took over the top spot from Libya, which plays on Monday against the Comoros Islands in neutral Mali.

Hassan Yebda’s fifth minute penalty gave Algeria a 1-0 win in the derby against Morocco, played at Annaba.

It was a major boost for the 2010 World Cup finalist, which was at the bottom of the group before Sunday’s game.

Reuters