Algeria s Islam Slimani celebrates a goal as teammate Abdelkader Bedrane looks on during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying third round football match between Algeria and Cameroon at Limbe Omnisport Stadium stadium in Limbe, Cameroon on March 25, 2022. AFP
A goal from Islam Slimani gave Algeria a 1-0 victory over Cameroon in Douala while a farcical own goal from defender Moussa Sissako handed Tunisia a 1-0 win over Mali in Bamako.
Algeria and Tunisia will be firm favourites to book their place in the Qatar finals when the home legs take place on Tuesday.
In Douala, Sporting striker Slimani rose above the defence to meet a fine cross from Youcef Belaili's set-piece and power a header past keeper Andre Onana in the 40th minute.
The Indomitable Lions pushed forward in the second half to get the equaliser but couldn't create any threat against the Algerians, who sat back to protect their lead.
The game was interrupted midway through the second half for a few minutes due to a floodlight failure.
In Bamako, Tunisia benefited from a dreadful blunder from Sissako to claim a precious win.
The Standard Liege defender passed the ball back to his keeper, who was not in his goal, as the ball rolled into an empty net in the 36th minute.
It was a nightmare night for Sissako, who also got his marching orders four minutes later after receiving a straight red card.
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