Egypt beat Zambia to keep their World Cup hopes alive

Algeria rallied to beat Rwanda 3-1 on Sunday in Blida to be on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup.

Egypt will now host Algeria in a top-of-the-table clash next month to decide who goes to the World Cup from Group C.

Goals from Abdelkader Gezzal, Nadir Belhadj and Karim Ziani ensured Algeria only needs to avoid losing by three goals in Cairo to qualify for the tournament next year.

The Desert Foxes top Group C with 13 points, three more than Egypt.

Rwanda took a 20th-minute lead when Mafisango Mutesa's shot deflected past goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui.

Gezzal headed the equalizer in the 22nd, Belhadj made it 2-1 just before halftime, and Ziani added an injury-time penalty.

Algeria should have had a goal in the 41st, when Antar Yahia's shot was well over the line before the ball was cleared.

African champions Egypt secured a 1-0 win away to Zambia on Saturday to maintain their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.

The Pharaohs secured the crucial away victory in Chililabonbwe thanks to a second-half strike by Hosny Abd Rabou.

The victory means the fight for Group C's sole ticket to the tournament in South Africa will down to the wire.

The Egyptians were running out of ideas when Sayed Moawad found Rabou lurking close to the edge of the penalty area in the 70th minute, and his powerful shot flew into the top corner.

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