Mali secured a place at next year’s African World Cup play-offs but Ghana’s hopes of reaching Qatar 2022 suffered a setback following a draw with Ethiopia.
Mali beat 10-man Rwanda 3-0 to secure top spot in Group E and join Morocco and Senegal in progressing through the group stage.
Meanwhile, a win for Ghana in their final qualifier may not even be enough to finish above South Africa in their group after the Black Stars drew 1-1 against Ethiopia in Johannesburg.
Only the group winners will progress to the play-offs next March, when the continent’s five representatives in the Middle East will be decided.
Ghana slip could prove costly
Captain Andre Ayew fired Ghana ahead from a free-kick midway through the first half, but Getaneh Kebede equalised for Ethiopia with 18 minutes remaining when he volleyed in.
The draw puts Ghana level on points with South Africa at the summit of Group G, but Bafana Bafana can move three points clear on Thursday evening.
Goal difference will decide top spot if the two sides finish level on points, and South Africa – who have a one-goal advantage over the west Africans – can strengthen their position with a big win over Zimbabwe at 19:00 GMT.
South Africa travel to Milovan Rajevac’s Ghana in the final round of group matches on Sunday.
The Black Stars failed to reach the World Cup in Russia in 2018, while South Africa have not played at the tournament since hosting the first finals in Africa in 2010.
Mali through as Benin and DR Congo set for showdown
Mali moved a step closer to qualifying for their first-ever World Cup as they extended their unbeaten record, which has seen them win four games and draw another in Group E without conceding.
Hosts Rwanda were reduced to 10 men after just seven minutes when Djihad Bizimana was shown a straight red card.
Southampton midfielder Moussa Djenepo fired home Mali’s opener from outside the area 12 minutes later, and Ibrahima Kone immediately doubled the lead with his fifth goal in has last three qualifiers as he made the most of a mistake by Rwanda keeper Emery Mvuyekure.
Victory was sealed in the 87th minute when Nantes forward Kalifa Coulibaly scored the third, giving Mali an unassailable four-point lead over Uganda with a game to spare.
Mali’s result ended Uganda’s hopes of qualification after the Cranes had earlier drawn 1-1 at home against east African rivals Kenya.
Michael Olunga put Kenya ahead on 62 minutes, but striker Fahad Bayo netted his third goal in as many internationals with a minute left to grab a draw which proved to not be enough.
Elsewhere, Jodel Dossou and Brest striker Steve Mounie netted as Benin recorded a 2-0 home win over Madagascar in Group J which eliminated the islanders in the process.
Victory moves the Squirrels to the top of the table and gives Michel Dussuyer’s side a two point lead over DR Congo, who registered a 3-0 triumph in Tanzania.
Former Chelsea youngster Gael Kakuta gave the Leopards an early lead, and defender Nathan Idumba Fasika doubled their advantage on 66 minutes.
Ben Malango rounded off the scoring late on for DR Congo, and Tanzania can no longer qualify after Benin’s victory.
DR Congo host Benin in the final group game on Sunday, with the visitors knowing a draw against Hector Cuper’s outfit will be enough to secure a play-off spot.
Congo were held 1-1 at home against Namibia in a dead rubber in Group H. Peter Shalulile put the visitors ahead just before the break but Guy Mbenza levelled nine minutes after the restart.
Senegal, who qualified for the play-offs last month with two games to spare, travel to Togo at 19:00 GMT.