“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.

Victories in Zimbabwe and Mozambique over the last fortnight in preliminary competition ensure Egypt kept up a 100 percent record in their group, the only African side with five wins from five matches.

They have one more to play but are guaranteed top place in their section and will take part in the playoffs in October and November which determine places for Brazil.

“This team has a strong belief, we have finished the group and now we begin to think about how to be ready for the playoffs because the goal for everyone in Egypt is of course the World Cup,” Bradley said.

“To finish the group early was very important. To come away on the road and take six points says a lot about the mentality of the group,” said the American after the latest triumph, a 1-0 win over Mozambique in Maputo on Sunday. They also beat Zimbabwe 4-2 in Harare.

“We have a lot of belief in what we are doing, it showed that we can win at home and on the road and now we only think about how to be ready for the playoffs,” Bradley added.

Egypt’s political and social upheaval in the wake of the Arab spring, has impacted dramatically on football in the country where the league only restarted six months ago after a year-long hiatus and where most matches are still played behind closed doors for security concerns.

Bradley, coach of the United States team at the last World Cup in South Africa, was an unusual choice as Egypt coach when he took the job in October 2011.

But has made a good impression in Cairo with his decision to stay on despite the turmoil of the last 18 months since a stadium riot in Port Said caused 74 deaths and led to the near shutdown of the game in the north African country.

Egypt has been increasingly obsessed by the team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup since their last appearance in Italy in 1990, despite record-breaking dominance in the African Nations Cup finals over the last decade.

“Brazil is two games away. We must keep focus. One game at a time,” Bradley said.

(Editing by Ed Osmond; mark.gleeson@thomsonreuters.com +27828257807 Messaging mark.gleeson.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)

“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.

Victories in Zimbabwe and Mozambique over the last fortnight in preliminary competition ensure Egypt kept up a 100 percent record in their group, the only African side with five wins from five matches.

They have one more to play but are guaranteed top place in their section and will take part in the playoffs in October and November which determine places for Brazil.

“This team has a strong belief, we have finished the group and now we begin to think about how to be ready for the playoffs because the goal for everyone in Egypt is of course the World Cup,” Bradley said.

“To finish the group early was very important. To come away on the road and take six points says a lot about the mentality of the group,” said the American after the latest triumph, a 1-0 win over Mozambique in Maputo on Sunday. They also beat Zimbabwe 4-2 in Harare.

“We have a lot of belief in what we are doing, it showed that we can win at home and on the road and now we only think about how to be ready for the playoffs,” Bradley added.

Egypt’s political and social upheaval in the wake of the Arab spring, has impacted dramatically on football in the country where the league only restarted six months ago after a year-long hiatus and where most matches are still played behind closed doors for security concerns.

Bradley, coach of the United States team at the last World Cup in South Africa, was an unusual choice as Egypt coach when he took the job in October 2011.

But has made a good impression in Cairo with his decision to stay on despite the turmoil of the last 18 months since a stadium riot in Port Said caused 74 deaths and led to the near shutdown of the game in the north African country.

Egypt has been increasingly obsessed by the team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup since their last appearance in Italy in 1990, despite record-breaking dominance in the African Nations Cup finals over the last decade.

“Brazil is two games away. We must keep focus. One game at a time,” Bradley said. (Editing by Ed Osmond; mark.gleeson@thomsonreuters.com +27828257807 Messaging mark.gleeson.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)

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

Five places are yet to be decided with the last cycle of Round 2 group matches remaining.

The 10 group winners from Round 2 of qualifying face two-legged playoff ties in October and November which will ultimately decide the five African representatives for next June’s World Cup finals.

Ethiopia ensured an unassailable five point lead in Group A as they came from behind to beat South Africa 2-1 in Addis Ababa and continue a fairytale run that saw them compete at the African Nations Cup finals earlier this year for the first time in more than three decades.

Egypt kept up the only 100 percent record in the African qualifiers with a 1-0 win over Mozambique to ensure top place in Group G while Yaya Toure scored twice as the Ivory Coast won away in Tanzania to ensure top spot in Group C.

A 1-1 draw away for Tunisia in Equatorial Guinea means they cannot be caught in Group B.

Algeria beat Rwanda earlier on Sunday but their progress was only secured when Mali were held at home by Benin later on in the day.

Ethiopia were behind to a 33rd minute goal from Bernard Parker as South Africa went in search of the away win to resurrect their World Cup chances after a stuttering qualifying campaign.

But poor defence just before half-time allowed Getaneh Kebede to equalise and then Parker conspired to head an Ethiopian free kick into his own goal in the 70th minute for an ignominious end to the Bafana Bafana’s challenge.

A fourth goal in two games from Swiss based winger Mohamed Salah saw Egypt win 1-0 in Maputo over Mozambique but they wasted a myriad of late chances to easily treble their lead.

PERFECT RECORD

Egypt have won all five group games – the only side with a perfect record – as they seek their first World Cup appearance since 1990.

Tanzania shocked Ivory Coast with an early goal in Dar Es Salaam but Toure led the fight back with two goals from the penalty spot for a 4-2 victory.

An Oussama Darragi penalty in the second half in Malabo ensured the one point Tunisia needed to also progress as they kept up their unbeaten run in Group B.

Algeria top Group H after Saphir Taider’s goal gave them a 1-0 win over Rwanda in Kigali and Mali’s chances of catching them evaporated with a 2-2 draw home to Benin.

Sunday’s 10 qualifying matches across the continent also allowed Ghana and Senegal to stay in the hunt of places in the final round of African qualifying.

Christian Atsu and Asamoah Gyan scored as Ghana beat Lesotho 2-0 in Maseru to go above Zambia in the Group D standings. Ghana take a one point lead into their final match in September when they host the Zambians, who must win away to progress.

Senegal beat Liberia away courtesy of a Papiss Cisse brace to go top of Group J by a point. They host nearest challengers Uganda at home in September.

In Group I Cameroon boosted their chances by drawing 0-0 away in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They trail Libya by two points but host them in their last game in September.

(Editing by Mark Pangallo and Pritha Sarkar)

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

Five places are yet to be decided with the last cycle of Round 2 group matches remaining.

The 10 group winners from Round 2 of qualifying face two-legged playoff ties in October and November which will ultimately decide the five African representatives for next June’s World Cup finals.

Ethiopia ensured an unassailable five point lead in Group A as they came from behind to beat South Africa 2-1 in Addis Ababa and continue a fairytale run that saw them compete at the African Nations Cup finals earlier this year for the first time in more than three decades.

Egypt kept up the only 100 percent record in the African qualifiers with a 1-0 win over Mozambique to ensure top place in Group G while Yaya Toure scored twice as the Ivory Coast won away in Tanzania to ensure top spot in Group C.

A 1-1 draw away for Tunisia in Equatorial Guinea means they cannot be caught in Group B.

Algeria beat Rwanda earlier on Sunday but their progress was only secured when Mali were held at home by Benin later on in the day.

Ethiopia were behind to a 33rd minute goal from Bernard Parker as South Africa went in search of the away win to resurrect their World Cup chances after a stuttering qualifying campaign.

But poor defence just before half-time allowed Getaneh Kebede to equalise and then Parker conspired to head an Ethiopian free kick into his own goal in the 70th minute for an ignominious end to the Bafana Bafana’s challenge.

A fourth goal in two games from Swiss based winger Mohamed Salah saw Egypt win 1-0 in Maputo over Mozambique but they wasted a myriad of late chances to easily treble their lead.

PERFECT RECORD

Egypt have won all five group games – the only side with a perfect record – as they seek their first World Cup appearance since 1990.

Tanzania shocked Ivory Coast with an early goal in Dar Es Salaam but Toure led the fight back with two goals from the penalty spot for a 4-2 victory.

An Oussama Darragi penalty in the second half in Malabo ensured the one point Tunisia needed to also progress as they kept up their unbeaten run in Group B.

Algeria top Group H after Saphir Taider’s goal gave them a 1-0 win over Rwanda in Kigali and Mali’s chances of catching them evaporated with a 2-2 draw home to Benin.

Sunday’s 10 qualifying matches across the continent also allowed Ghana and Senegal to stay in the hunt of places in the final round of African qualifying.

Christian Atsu and Asamoah Gyan scored as Ghana beat Lesotho 2-0 in Maseru to go above Zambia in the Group D standings. Ghana take a one point lead into their final match in September when they host the Zambians, who must win away to progress.

Senegal beat Liberia away courtesy of a Papiss Cisse brace to go top of Group J by a point. They host nearest challengers Uganda at home in September.

In Group I Cameroon boosted their chances by drawing 0-0 away in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They trail Libya by two points but host them in their last game in September. (Editing by Mark Pangallo and Pritha Sarkar)

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.

“We needed a game like this before the Rugby Championship,” Meyer said of the upcoming annual tournament against Argentina, Australia and world champions New Zealand.

“We learn more from these type of games than we would … if we were just running in tries. We showed we can step up on a psychological, tactical and physical level, and a lot of our creative players put their hands up.

“Scotland used their opportunities well and last year had we been 17-6 down we probably would have gone on and lost the game,” added Meyer in his post-match analysis.

“We showed a lot of character.”

South Africa have introduced a raft of young players in their last two tests, a 44-10 win over Italy in Durban last week and Saturday’s triumph over the Scots, and welcomed back hooker Bismarck du Plessis after a year out through injury.

Meyer also singled out 20-year-old centre Jan Serfontein, who scored a try on Saturday in only his second test.

South Africa next play Samoa in Pretoria on Saturday on the last weekend of a four nation tournament, while Scotland take on Italy in the earlier game at Loftus Versfeld.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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.

“We needed a game like this before the Rugby Championship,” Meyer said of the upcoming annual tournament against Argentina, Australia and world champions New Zealand.

“We learn more from these type of games than we would … if we were just running in tries. We showed we can step up on a psychological, tactical and physical level, and a lot of our creative players put their hands up.

“Scotland used their opportunities well and last year had we been 17-6 down we probably would have gone on and lost the game,” added Meyer in his post-match analysis.

“We showed a lot of character.”

South Africa have introduced a raft of young players in their last two tests, a 44-10 win over Italy in Durban last week and Saturday’s triumph over the Scots, and welcomed back hooker Bismarck du Plessis after a year out through injury.

Meyer also singled out 20-year-old centre Jan Serfontein, who scored a try on Saturday in only his second test.

South Africa next play Samoa in Pretoria on Saturday on the last weekend of a four nation tournament, while Scotland take on Italy in the earlier game at Loftus Versfeld. (Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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.

Congo, after reaching the halfway point with a 100 percent record, now face being overhauled in September when the last fixtures are played.

Had they drawn on Saturday they would have been the first side to book a place in the playoffs at the end of the year to decide Africa’s five representatives for Brazil 2014.

Congo will visit Niger next while Burkina Faso host Gabon.

A hat-trick of penalties from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang led Gabon to a 4-1 win over Niger but his team are still three points off the pace.

The revival of the Burkinabe, surprise runners-up at the Nations Cup but docked points in the World Cup qualifiers for using an ineligible player, contrasts with the failing fortunes of 2012 continental champions Zambia who were held to a home draw.

Sudan’s Mohamed Abdallah equalised after Jacob Mulenga had given the hosts a 70th-minute lead in Ndola. The 1-1 scoreline put Zambia two points clear in Group D but they expect to be overhauled on Sunday when Ghana take on minnows Lesotho.

Zambia’s hopes are now likely to hinge on their match in Ghana in September.

Morocco beat Gambia 2-0 to move two points behind leaders Ivory Coast in Group C although the latter will seal their place in the next round if they win in Tanzania on Sunday.

Two goals in the last seven minutes saw Uganda come from behind to beat 2006 World Cup qualifiers Angola 2-1 in Kampala and take a two-point lead in Group J. But favourites Senegal will go top again with a victory in Liberia on Sunday.

Defender Tony Mawejje, who plays his club football in Iceland, scored the last-minute winner.

Ten African qualifying games will be played on Sunday when the first teams to clinch a spot in the last round are expected to emerge.

(Additional reporting by Nick Said; editing by Tony Jimenez)

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.

Congo, after reaching the halfway point with a 100 percent record, now face being overhauled in September when the last fixtures are played.

Had they drawn on Saturday they would have been the first side to book a place in the playoffs at the end of the year to decide Africa’s five representatives for Brazil 2014.

Congo will visit Niger next while Burkina Faso host Gabon.

A hat-trick of penalties from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang led Gabon to a 4-1 win over Niger but his team are still three points off the pace.

The revival of the Burkinabe, surprise runners-up at the Nations Cup but docked points in the World Cup qualifiers for using an ineligible player, contrasts with the failing fortunes of 2012 continental champions Zambia who were held to a home draw.

Sudan’s Mohamed Abdallah equalised after Jacob Mulenga had given the hosts a 70th-minute lead in Ndola. The 1-1 scoreline put Zambia two points clear in Group D but they expect to be overhauled on Sunday when Ghana take on minnows Lesotho.

Zambia’s hopes are now likely to hinge on their match in Ghana in September.

Morocco beat Gambia 2-0 to move two points behind leaders Ivory Coast in Group C although the latter will seal their place in the next round if they win in Tanzania on Sunday.

Two goals in the last seven minutes saw Uganda come from behind to beat 2006 World Cup qualifiers Angola 2-1 in Kampala and take a two-point lead in Group J. But favourites Senegal will go top again with a victory in Liberia on Sunday.

Defender Tony Mawejje, who plays his club football in Iceland, scored the last-minute winner.

Ten African qualifying games will be played on Sunday when the first teams to clinch a spot in the last round are expected to emerge. (Additional reporting by Nick Said; editing by Tony Jimenez)

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.

“The punishment did not fit the crime. It was handbag’s stuff, it ruined a great game,” the Australian coach told reporters at the Mbombela Stadium.

Hamilton was sent to the sinbin after French referee Romain Poite asked for a television review of an off-the-ball push in the face of Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth.

“I’m bitterly disappointed,” said Johnson. “I’d go as far as to say we deserved to win but with 14 men it’s not easy.

“We weren’t playing tiddlywinks, it’s an aggressive sport. They’ve just asked me if I’d like to cite anybody – probably the fourth official.”

Johnson said putting a team together on Saturday proved a trial after several injuries were picked up last week against Samoa in Durban.

Scotland flew out three replacements after a bruising 27-17 defeat by Samoa and patched up other players for the second of their three matches in South Africa.

“We had guys playing today who had no right to even be on the pitch,” he said in a reference to forwards Euan Murray and Johnnie Beattie. “To say I’m proud of how we played is an understatement.”

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)

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.

“The punishment did not fit the crime. It was handbag’s stuff, it ruined a great game,” the Australian coach told reporters at the Mbombela Stadium.

Hamilton was sent to the sinbin after French referee Romain Poite asked for a television review of an off-the-ball push in the face of Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth.

“I’m bitterly disappointed,” said Johnson. “I’d go as far as to say we deserved to win but with 14 men it’s not easy.

“We weren’t playing tiddlywinks, it’s an aggressive sport. They’ve just asked me if I’d like to cite anybody – probably the fourth official.”

Johnson said putting a team together on Saturday proved a trial after several injuries were picked up last week against Samoa in Durban.

Scotland flew out three replacements after a bruising 27-17 defeat by Samoa and patched up other players for the second of their three matches in South Africa.

“We had guys playing today who had no right to even be on the pitch,” he said in a reference to forwards Euan Murray and Johnnie Beattie. “To say I’m proud of how we played is an understatement.” (Editing by Tony Jimenez)