Ivorians move to qualifying brink

Côte d’Ivoire moved to within a point of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup after they defeated Burkina Faso 5-0 in an African Group E tie on Saturday. In the group’s other match, Malawi defeated Guinea 2-1, but both were eliminated from World Cup contention.

Côte d’Ivoire 5-0 Burkina Faso

Kader Keita put the Ivorians ahead on 10 minutes, and the home side carried that 1-0 lead into the half-time break.

In the second half, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba made it 2-0 to the home side, and Yaya Touré made it 3-0 in the 55th minute. Drogba and Keita added goals in the 65th and 68th minutes to put the match away.

The Ivorians now sit six points clear of Burkina Faso with two games to play, and they will qualify for their second consecutive finals barring two defeats to Guinea in their remaining matches.

Malawi 2-1 Guinea

Oumar Kalabane put the visitors in front on 36 minutes as they looked to stay in contention for a World Cup berth, but Malawi stormed back through Chiukepo Moswoya in the second half.

Msowoya put Malawi on level terms less than a minute after the restart, and then gave them in the win in the 58th minute.

The two sides will continue fighting for third place and a berth in the African Cup of Nations.