Ghana qualified for next year's World Cup after beating Sudan 2-0 in Accra Sunday to take an unassailable lead in their group. It is the first of five countries to qualify from the African preliminaries and achieved it with two matches still to play. Sulley Muntari, who Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho said may be suffering with his energy levels because he is fasting for Ramadan, put Ghana ahead in the 14th minute. Chelsea's Michael Essien added a second 10 minutes into the second half, scoring from 20 yards out after picking up a loose ball. Ghana's win, combined with a 1-1 draw for closest rivals Mali in Benin, ensured the Black Stars went seven points clear at the head of Group D. Mali, which had led from the 72nd minute when its new striker Mamadou Samassa netted on his debut, conceded a goal three minutes from time in Cotonou. Samassa recently switched his footballing nationality from France. Another former French junior international Nabil Taider scored for Tunisia as it drew 2-2 in Nigeria to maintain a two-point lead in Group B. Oussama Darragi scored an equalizer from a tight angle in stoppage time of a storming match in Abuja, dealing a large blow to Nigeria's qualification aspirations. Nigeria had taken the lead in the 27th minute after a superb finish from Peter Odemwingie but Taider's reply came within two minutes. Nigeria then survived some anxious moments before restoring its lead when a cross from Taye Taiwo set up a tap-in from close range for substitute Michael Eneramo in the 81st minute. Darragi's equalizer set off a storm of protest from home fans who pelted both teams with objects after the goal and at the final whistle. Morocco's Adil Taarabt came on as a substitute and dribbled through the Togo defence in stoppage time in Lome Sunday to give his country a 1-1 draw in their Group A match. Togo had scored after four minutes through Moustapha Salifou and the draw against the group's bottom side is a blow to their hopes of qualifying. Togo (five points from four matches) is second behind Gabon (six points from three matches). Only the five group winners qualify for the World Cup from the final phase of African qualifiers. Africa will have six representatives in 2010 because hosts South Africa are automatically in the field. Domenech gets vote of confidence Under-fire French coach Raymond Domenech received the dreaded vote of confidence Sunday, just hours after the 1998 world champion suffered another setback in its bid to reach the World Cup. Saturday's 1-1 draw against Romania in Paris left France, the 2006 runner-up, needing to beat Serbia in Belgrade Wednesday to keep their hopes of automatic qualification alive. “I repeat: yes, yes, yes. I have to say it three times. He has the job of qualifying us for the World Cup,” said French Football Federation (FFF) president Jean-Pierre Escalettes. “And I repeat that even if we have to go into the playoffs, it's still Raymond Domenech's job.” France's desperate fight to finish top of their group has also been hit by injuries to playmaker Franck Ribery and defender Julien Escude, who scored an own goal in Saturday's game. “We don't know whether they will be able to play Wednesday,” said Domenech. “We shall see, we generally wait a day after a match (Monday in this case) to take an overall analysis.” Ribery, who has a calf problem, has endured an injury-plagued summer and has barely played for Bayern Munich this campaign. He came on in the 57th minute against Romania without making much of an impression. Serbia leads France by four points in Group Seven with just three matches remaining.
