Lowly Ethiopia surged to the top of a 2014 World Cup qualifying group Sunday with Saladin Said bagging the brace that earned a 2-0 home win over the Central African Republic.

Egypt-based striker Said, whose goal gave the Black Lions a shock draw in South Africa last weekend, put the home team ahead on 38 minutes in Addis Ababa and he scored again two minutes from time to clinch maximum points.

Ranked 130 in the world by FIFA this month, Ethiopia are the bottom seeds in Group A behind three-time World Cup qualifiers South Africa, Botswana and the Central African Republic.

But the table makes a mockery of the rankings with Ethiopia on four points, Central African Republic three, South Africa two and Botswana one after two rounds of the mini-league second qualifying phase.

Famous for their athletics prowess, Ethiopia have never come remotely close to reaching the World Cup, but that could be about to change, especially with South Africa battling to score goals or win matches.

Despite taking an early lead in Gaborone Saturday through a first international goal from centre-back Morgan Gould, Bafana Bafana ('The Boys') could only draw 1-1 with neighbours Botswana.

Rwanda snatched a 1-1 Group H draw with improving Benin in Kigali thanks to a late Labama Kamana goal from the penalty spot after Razak Omotoyossi had opened the scoring in the second half against the run of play.

The award of the spot kick two minutes from time angered Benin defender Khaled Adenon so much that he attacked the Ethiopian referee and after being red carded, was escorted from the pitch by police.

Avoiding defeat was a relief for Serbia-born Rwanda coach Milutin Sredojevic after the Wasps were badly stung in North Africa recently, conceding five goals against Tunisia in a friendly and four against Algeria in another qualifier.

Benin, who climbed a staggering 52 places in the June world rankings, top the pool with four points although Algeria will replace them late Sunday provided they avoid defeat away to Mali.

Tanzania fought back to edge Gambia 2-1 in Group C with Shomari Kapombe cancelling an early Momodou Ceesay goal for the visitors and Erasto Nyoni converting a late penalty in Dar es Salaam.

Zimbabwe wasted several scoring chances when drawing 0-0 away to Mozambique in Group G and there was a similar barren scoreline after the match between Lesotho and Group D pacesetters Sudan in freezing Maseru.

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