Madagascar paid Mozambique a visit. Their hosts were not very kind, however, as they staked out a 1-0 lead at the half. Two second half goals gave the home side a three-goal shutout over their friends from across the sea. Madagascar have three points, and Mozambique have four in Group G.Kenya visited Zimbabwe and had to weather not only the Zimbabweans, but the lightning as well. The two sides battled to a draw, and Kenya kept their two-point cushion over Zimbabwe. Kenya have seven, Zimbabwe have five.
Djibouti flew to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for their fourth match of Round One. Djibouti were not well behaved and gathered five yellow cards. Clearly, frustration was a factor; Democratic Republic of the Congo had a 2-0 halftime lead and had stretched the lead to 5-0 by the middle of the second half. Djibouti took a consolation goal with them into the break, but Congo DR took the group lead with the 5-1 score. Djibouti are eliminated from World Cup contention.
Mauritania visited Ethiopia, but were a man down after Ba Yaoub grabbed two yellows in a four-minute span, culminating with his expulsion in minute thirty-seven. Ethiopia converted the ensuing penalty, but Mauritania somehow leveled the game by the half. The 1-1 score became a lopsided 6-1 Ethiopian victory after the Mauritanians began to break down without a full eleven. Mauritania are eliminated from South Africa 2010.
Bostwana visited undefeated yet underperforming Côte d'Ivoire. Côte d'Ivoire were glad to welcome Salomon Kalou and Bakary Koné back to the squad for the first time in World Cup 2010 qualifying. The Ivoirians finally looked like themselves, scoring twice in each half and playing stout defensively, garnering three points from a 4-0 win. Côte d'Ivoire lead Group G by three points over Botswana, and a win in Mozambique this September will send them to Round Two.
Chad visited Congo in a physical encounter where both sides picked up three cautions. Congo Brazzaville scored once in each half to give themselves a 2-0 victory and are currently one of the top eight second-place teams, though their September matchup with Mali will go a long way toward determining their fate.
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