MAPUTO (Reuters) – The impressive run of Egypt in World Cup qualifying over the last fortnight has much more significance for the country than just moving the tournament dream a step closer, coach Bob Bradley told Reuters.

“At a time when the country is looking for things that are good, this is very important,” he said of Egypt’s seamless progress to the last phase of African qualifiers for next year’s tournament in Brazil.

MAPUTO, June 18 (Reuters) – The impressive run of Egypt in World Cup qualifying over the last fortnight has much more significance for the country than just moving the tournament dream a step closer, coach Bob Bradley told Reuters.

“At a time when the country is looking for things that are good, this is very important,” he said of Egypt’s seamless progress to the last phase of African qualifiers for next year’s tournament in Brazil.

MAPUTO (Reuters) – - Ethiopia ended the hopes of 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa from making next year’s finals in Brazil after a dramatic round of African group stage qualifying matches on Sunday.

The Ethiopians join Algeria, Egypt, the Ivory Coast and Tunisia through to the third and final phase of the African preliminaries.

MAPUTO, June 16 (Reuters) – - Ethiopia ended the hopes of 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa from making next year’s finals in Brazil after a dramatic round of African group stage qualifying matches on Sunday.

The Ethiopians join Algeria, Egypt, the Ivory Coast and Tunisia through to the third and final phase of the African preliminaries.

NELSPRUIT (Reuters) – South Africa were given a far tougher test than expected by an injury-ravaged Scotland on Saturday but coach Heyneke Meyer said the Springboks would learn from the unconvincing 30-17 win.

South Africa had to come from 17-6 down against a Scotland side that were expected to be overrun at the Mbombela Stadium and while the eventual scoreline flattered the hosts they showed they were able to dig deep when the game plan goes awry.

NELSPRUIT, June 16 (Reuters) – South Africa were given a far tougher test than expected by an injury-ravaged Scotland on Saturday but coach Heyneke Meyer said the Springboks would learn from the unconvincing 30-17 win.

South Africa had to come from 17-6 down against a Scotland side that were expected to be overrun at the Mbombela Stadium and while the eventual scoreline flattered the hosts they showed they were able to dig deep when the game plan goes awry.

NELSPRUIT, South Africa (Reuters) – Aristide Bance was on target as Burkina Faso won 1-0 in Congo on Saturday to restore their World Cup hopes and puncture home dreams of a spot in the last round of the African preliminaries.

The lanky forward, whose peroxide hair made him one of the more recognisable figures at this year’s African Nations Cup, netted in the 38th minute in Pointe Noire to put the Burkinabe one point behind Congo with one game to go in Group E qualifying.

NELSPRUIT, South Africa, June 15 (Reuters) – Aristide Bance was on target as Burkina Faso won 1-0 in Congo on Saturday to restore their World Cup hopes and puncture home dreams of a spot in the last round of the African preliminaries.

The lanky forward, whose peroxide hair made him one of the more recognisable figures at this year’s African Nations Cup, netted in the 38th minute in Pointe Noire to put the Burkinabe one point behind Congo with one game to go in Group E qualifying.

NELSPRUIT, South Africa (Reuters) – Scotland interim coach Stuart Johnson hailed his walking wounded and blamed the referee for the 30-17 defeat by South Africa on Saturday.

Johnson said the yellow card handed to lock Jim Hamilton in the 52nd minute was the turning point as injury-ravaged Scotland went down to 14 men and saw their 10-6 halftime lead overturned.

NELSPRUIT, South Africa, June 15 (Reuters) – Scotland interim coach Stuart Johnson hailed his walking wounded and blamed the referee for the 30-17 defeat by South Africa on Saturday.

Johnson said the yellow card handed to lock Jim Hamilton in the 52nd minute was the turning point as injury-ravaged Scotland went down to 14 men and saw their 10-6 halftime lead overturned.