Sudan's game against Chad was played in Cairo

Congo left it late to keep alive hopes of advancing to the second phase of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers with Wilfried Endzanga scoring the only goal against pacesetters Mali on Sunday.

The striker, who plays for Algerian club USM Blida, scored three minutes before full-time in the Group Ten match in Brazzaville.

Endzanga delivered the crucial blow to ensure both sides share the leadership on nine points apiece, with only one match remaining.

In the group's other game played in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Saturday, Chad defeated Sudan 2-1.

Mobin Meryouz headed in the opener in the 28th minute, and Sudan didn't equalise until the 77th minute through striker Haitham Tambal.

Sudan goalkeeper Mois Mahgoub was unable to stop striker Hassan Diyallu's 82nd minute shot, sealing victory for Chad.

The qualification situation in the group will be much clearer on Wednesday when Chad take on Sudan in the return clash in Cairo because of the Darfur crisis.

The first World Cup qualifier between the pair was scheduled for 31 May but after an attack on the Sudanese capital Khartoum by a Darfur rebel group, Sudan severed diplomatic relations with Chad, and Chad refused to travel to play in Khartoum.

After both countries resumed relations at the end of July, Fifa arranged for both qualifiers to be played in Egypt.