WINDHOEK, June 12 (Reuters) – Namibia derailed Nigeria’s hopes of becoming the first side through to the last round of African World Cup qualifying by holding the continental champions to a 1-1 draw in Windhoek on Wednesday.

Nigeria defender Godfrey Oboabona struck home an 83rd-minute freekick to deny Namibia an upset after the plucky hosts had gone ahead through substitute Deon Hotto in the 77th minute.

WINDHOEK (Reuters) – A coach whose enthusiasm for the trade was forged by the ‘Football Manager’ video game will be thrown into the deep end on Wednesday when Nambia host African champions Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier.

Ricardo Mannetti, 38, won more than 60 caps for his country, played at the African Nations Cup finals and was a professional in the league in neighboring South Africa but had no desire to coach.

WINDHOEK, June 11 (Reuters) – A coach whose enthusiasm for the trade was forged by the ‘Football Manager’ video game will be thrown into the deep end on Wednesday when Nambia host African champions Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier.

Ricardo Mannetti, 38, won more than 60 caps for his country, played at the African Nations Cup finals and was a professional in the league in neighbouring South Africa but had no desire to coach.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Mohamed Salah scored a hat trick on Sunday as Egypt won 4-2 in Zimbabwe to keep up their 100 percent run in the World Cup qualifiers for next year’s finals in Brazil.

Their hopes of ensuring top place in Group G and advancing to the last phase of the African preliminaries were put on hold, however, when Guinea beat Mozambique 6-1 in the group’s other game.

JOHANNESBURG, June 9 (Reuters) – Mohamed Salah scored a hat trick on Sunday as Egypt won 4-2 in Zimbabwe to keep up their 100 percent run in the World Cup qualifiers for next year’s finals in Brazil.

Their hopes of ensuring top place in Group G and advancing to the last phase of the African preliminaries were put on hold, however, when Guinea beat Mozambique 6-1 in the group’s other game.

DURBAN (Reuters) – Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer led a chorus of praise on Sunday for experienced winger Bryan Habana, who underlined his world class qualities with two game-winning moves as South Africa beat Italy 44-10 in their test in Durban on Saturday.

Habana, who turns 30 on Wednesday, won the man-of-the-match award after setting up an early try for centre JJ Engelbrecht and scoring a breath-taking effort of his own at a crucial juncture of the match in the second half.

DURBAN, June 9 (Reuters) – Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer led a chorus of praise on Sunday for experienced winger Bryan Habana, who underlined his world class qualities with two game-winning moves as South Africa beat Italy 44-10 in their test in Durban on Saturday.

Habana, who turns 30 on Wednesday, won the man-of-the-match award after setting up an early try for centre JJ Engelbrecht and scoring a breath-taking effort of his own at a crucial juncture of the match in the second half.

DURBAN (Reuters) – Congo, Ivory Coast and Tunisia took giant leaps on Saturday towards winning their World Cup qualifying groups although they were all overshadowed by the exploits of a resurgent Ethiopia.

A 2-1 victory in Botswana for Ethiopia means they are also in line to secure a place in the final phase of the African preliminaries if they win again next weekend.

DURBAN, June 8 (Reuters) – Congo, Ivory Coast and Tunisia took giant leaps on Saturday towards winning their World Cup qualifying groups although they were all overshadowed by the exploits of a resurgent Ethiopia.

A 2-1 victory in Botswana for Ethiopia means they are also in line to secure a place in the final phase of the African preliminaries if they win again next weekend.

DURBAN (Reuters) – Scotland could lose captain Kelly Brown and two other players to tour-ending injuries after a bruising loss to Samoa on Saturday in the first of three tests in South Africa.

Loose forward Brown, experienced prop Euan Murray and debutant hooker Pat McArthur were forced out of the 27-17 loss to the Pacific islanders and are doubtful for the rest of the trip, interim coach Scott Johnson said.