Matthew Amoah scored his first goal for Ghana

DR Congo kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup by beating Uganda 4-0 in a Group Two encounter on Sunday.

The home side grabbed the opener in the 4th minute through France-based striker Shabani Nonda.

The Congolese doubled their lead in the 62nd minute after midfielder Ngasanya Ilongo converted a free-kick.

A Nonda penalty and a strike by substitute Matumuna Zola in the dying minutes of the game secured the match for the home side.

The victory takes the DR Congo to 12 points, the same as Ghana who beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in Kumasi on Sunday.

The visitors drew first blood and scored through Beli Moumouni Dagano after Italy-based defender John Mensah failed to clear.

The Blacks Stars pressed and got the equaliser in the 65th minute through captain Stephen Appiah who converted a spot-kick after Nigeria-based striker Joe Tex Frimpong was brought down in the goal area.

The home side eventually grabbed the winner with eight minutes remaining after Matthew Amoah headed home from an Appiah cross.

Coach Stuart Baxter led South Africa to a win over Cape Verde

Meanwhile on Saturday, South Africa moved closer to a third consecutive appearance at the World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Cape Verde Islands in a tense qualifier.

Benni McCarthy and Delron Buckley scored within three minutes for Bafana Bafana in the first half.

And they looked comfortable in the top-of-the-table Group Two clash until Arlindo 'Cafu' Semedo reduced the arrears 12 minutes from full-time.

South Africa wasted a chance to put the result beyond doubt soon afterwards.

Substitute defender Thabiso Rammile beat goalkeeper Jose Veiga only for his shot to fly across goal and wide.

A third consecutive win in the pool leaves top seeds South Africa on 15 points.

Cape Verde remain second on 10 points.