Staff Reporter.
Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and South Africa all moved top of their groups and Morocco sealed a late victory amid a busy day which saw 11 qualifiers played across the continent.
Liverpool forward Mohammed Salah calmly put Egypt in front away against Ethiopia and then turned provider for Zizo to double the lead before the break.
The Pharaohs have established a five-point lead in Group A at the halfway stage of the campaign.
Only the nine group winners are assured of a place at the expanded 48-team World Cup finals next year.
The four best second-placed sides after 10 games will enter play-offs, with the winners getting a chance to qualify via an intercontinental tournament.
Bilal El Khannouss scored an injury-time winner to spare Morocco’s blushes against unfancied Niger and open up a six-point lead in Group E.
The West Africans, hosting the game in the Moroccan city of Oujda, took a surprise second-half lead through Youssef Oumarou but Ismael Saibari equalised on the hour mark.
Leicester City midfielder El Khannouss was left unmarked at the back post to stoop and head in Noussair Mazraoui’s cross and give the Atlas Lions a ninth consecutive competitive win.
Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo and Leicester’s Jordan Ayew were both on target as Ghana thrashed Chad 5-0 in Accra to move two points above Madagascar in Group I.
Continental champions Ivory Coast laboured to a 1-0 away win over Burundi after Evann Guessand rifled in the only goal in the 16th minute.
The Elephants remain unbeaten and have a one-point advantage over Gabon in Group F.
Elsewhere, DR Congo moved level on points with surprise Group B leaders Sudan as Theo Bongonda’s powerful effort secured a 1-0 win over South Sudan after a disjointed display in Kinshasa.
Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea registered comfortable wins, with Emilio Nsue scoring for the latter on his return to action following a row over his eligibility.