Morocco first team to qualify for Nations Cup finals

JOHANNESBURG, June 17 (Reuters) Morocco became the first side to formally qualify for next year's African Nations Cup finals after a 1-0 away win over Malawi in Blantyre.

Bouchaib El Moubarki's 10th minute goal ensured top place in Group 12 for the Moroccans, who completed their campaign unbeaten yesterday.

Tunisia and Sudan effectively joined them after yesterday wins against Indian Ocean island opposition but the outcome of their group is still to be settled.

Top scorer in qualifying Issam Jomaa stretched his tally to five goals with the opener as Tunisia beat Mauritius 2-0 at Rades yesterdasy night. Tunisia have yet to concede a goal in the qualifiers.

Sudan had earlier won 2-0 in the Seychelles to stay one point behind Tunisia in the Group Four standings.

But Sudan's tally of 12 points is almost certain to be enough to ensure them one of the three berths reserved for the best runners-up.

Angola, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, South Africa and Togo can all qualify today.

Algeria missed out on a chance to also book their place after a shock home defeat by Guinea in front of an estimated 80,000 fans yesterday.

French-based strikers Fode Mansare and Pascal Feindouno scored on either side of halftime to hand Guinea a 2-0 win and leadership of Group Eight on goal difference from the Algerians, with one more match each to play in September.

REUTERS BJR BD1532