Underdogs Chad stun fancied Sierra Leone

in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Sierra Leone travelled to the heart of Central Africa in a confident mood after holding reigning African champions Ivory Coast during September in another Cup of Nations qualifier.

That morale-boosting result was achieved in Nigerian city Port Harcourt and that is where the Leone Stars will host the return match against Chad.

Ebola epidemic fears prevent Sierra Leone hosting international fixtures in Freetown and, until Nigeria intervened, they were forced to play home games at opponents’ grounds.

Central African Republic are a match for most teams in Bangui as they proved last month with an impressive Afcon qualifier triumph over highly-rated neighbours the Democratic Republic of Congo.

However, having to play improving Madagascar twice in Antananarivo had a demoralising effect on the team and a three-goal ‘home’ defeat at Stade Mahamasina leaves them on the brink of elimination.

Goals from Michael Rabeson and Njiva Rakotoharimalala gave the Madagascans a comfortable half-time advantage and captain Paul Johann added a third midway through the second half.

Eritrea remain without a World Cup victory after seven matches spanning four qualifying competitions having conceded a goal to Botswana in each half at Cicero Stadium in Asmara.

Galabgwe Moyana gave the Zebras the lead midway through the opening half and experienced Joel Mogorosi scored the second midway through the second half.

It was a predictable outcome as Botswana are ranked 91 places above Eritrea in the world. – ANA