Zaki (in the white shirt) scored two goals for Egypt

Egypt crushed visiting Sudan 6-1 in Group Three of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers in Cairo on Sunday.

Two goals each from Abdel Halim Ali and Amr Zaki helped the home side to the comprehensive victory.

Halim Ali opened the scoring in the eighth minute and added another in the 31st.

Zaki struck his goals in the 28th and 49th minutes.

Tarek el-Sayed also scored for Egypt, netting the fifth goal in the 62nd minute, and Ahmed Abdel Malek completed the rout with a goal in the 69th minute.

Haitham Tambal got one back for Sudan with seven minutes remaining.

Egypt, who will host the next African Cup of Nations, are in third place in Group Three with 13 points, three points behind leaders Ivory Coast and with one point less than Cameroon.

Cameroon's Rigobert Song celebrated a goal against Benin

Cameroon took advantage of the Ivory Coast's slip-up on Friday, as they beat Benin 4-1 in Cotonou on Saturday.

The home side started well, dominating the early exchanges, but Cameroon took over and grabbed the opener in the 21st minute through a Rigobert Song header.

Benin missed an opportunity to bring the game level as France-based Abou Maiga failed to convert a penalty after he was brought down Cameroon goalkeeper Souleymanou Hamidou.

Spain-based Achille Webo headed home the second goal of the game in the 52nd minute after capitalising on a mix-up in the Benin defence to put the Indomitable Lions in control.

Midway through the second half, the visitors put the game beyond doubt as England-based Geremi Njitap scored the third goal from the inside the area.

African Footballer of the Year, Samuel Eto'o, scored the fourth goal in the 68th after converting a penalty when substitute Jean Makoun was brought down in the area.

Coffi Agbessi grabbed a consolation for the home side with two minutes remaining through a free-kick.

Cameroon close the gap on the Ivory Coast to just two points.

The result almost certainly rules Benin out of even reaching the Nations Cup in Egypt next year.

The Ivory Coast's World Cup hopes took a knock on Friday as they could manage only a goalless draw away to Libya in Tripoli.

The Elephants dominated the play, but found it difficult to break down Libya's packed defence until the later stages of the game.

When they did create chances, the Ivorians snatched at them - Didier Drogba twice came close, as did Siaka Tiene and Aruna Dindane.

However, the draw still means they stay top of the group.