MASERU, March 24 (Reuters) – Zambia and Morocco suffered setbacks in their World Cup qualifying campaigns on Sunday that put their hopes of reaching the finals in jeopardy and undermined previous predictions of a rise in their fortunes.

Zambia extended their winless streak to seven matches as unfancied Lesotho grabbed a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw in Maseru while Morocco crashed to a 3-1 defeat in Tanzania to fall five points adrift of the Ivory Coast in Group C.

MASERU, March 24 (Reuters) – Litsepe Marabe scored with a rasping long-range shot as unfancied Lesotho grabbed a dramatic late equaliser to draw 1-1 with 10-man Zambia in World Cup qualification on Sunday.

The result is a blow to Zambia’s hopes and gives a boost to Group D to rivals Ghana, who play later on Sunday.

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – African kings Nigeria were rescued by a last-gasp equalizer on Saturday while other heavyweight contenders Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Tunisia won their games to remain on course for World Cup qualification.

Samuel Eto’o scored twice to lead Cameroon to a 2-1 victory in Yaounde against Togo who were without Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

CAPE TOWN, March 23 (Reuters) – African kings Nigeria were rescued by a last-gasp equaliser on Saturday while other heavyweight contenders Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Tunisia won their games to remain on course for World Cup qualification.

Samuel Eto’o scored twice to lead Cameroon to a 2-1 victory in Yaounde against Togo who were without Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – South African administrator Danny Jordaan, the man in charge of the last World Cup, makes another bid this weekend for a major post in international soccer after being handed several embarrassing setbacks since 2010.

Jordaan is a candidate for a place on the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) executive committee at the organisation’s congress in Marrakech, Morocco on Sunday.

CAPE TOWN, March 8 (Reuters) – South African administrator Danny Jordaan, the man in charge of the last World Cup, makes another bid this weekend for a major post in international soccer after being handed several embarrassing setbacks since 2010.

Jordaan is a candidate for a place on the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) executive committee at the organisation’s congress in Marrakech, Morocco on Sunday.

BLOEMFONTEIN, Feb 23 (Reuters) – The Sharks held off a late fightback from the Cheetahs to record a thrilling 29-22 victory in their Super Rugby encounter at the Free State Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors appeared to be in control of the game midway through the second half but two tries brought the Cheetahs back into the contest and, although they could not force the win, they did manage a losing bonus point.

CAPE TOWN, Feb 14 (Reuters) – Talented Springbok back Francois Steyn could provide both the inspiration and leadership for the Sharks in their bid to lead South Africa’s challenge on this year’s Super Rugby title.

The Sharks were runners-up last year to the Waikato Chiefs and have lost their other three final appearances.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Nigeria ended almost two decades without success and returned to their role as a continental heavyweight after edging Burkina Faso 1-0 in the African Nations Cup final on Sunday.

Sunday Mba’s volleyed goal five minutes before halftime ended the fairytale run of the Burkinabe, who had exceeded all expectation by advancing to their first final.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Nigeria ended almost two decades without success and returned to their role as a continental heavyweight after edging Burkina Faso 1-0 in the African Nations Cup final on Sunday.

Sunday Mba’s volleyed goal five minutes before halftime ended the fairytale run of the Burkinabe, who had exceeded all expectation by advancing to their first final.