LIVE: Egypt 1 Uganda 0 | Congo 1 Ghana 5

FT:   Egypt ?? 1 Uganda 0 ?? ▶️ Live SuperSport  |  FT – Congo ??  1 Ghana ?? 5

Cairo, Egypt | AFP & THE INDEPENDENT |  Egypt bounced back to the top of Group E of the Africa World Cup qualifiers thanks to a Mohamed Salah early goal against Uganda.

For long periods of the game, it was Egypt versus goalkeeper Denis Onyango whose saves ensured the lone goal separated the two sides.

Earlier, Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey scored a hat-trick as Ghana hammered Congo 5-1 in Brazzaville Tuesday to keep alive their slim 2018 World Cup qualification hopes.

Serbia-based Richmond Boakye bagged a brace as the Black Stars achieved their biggest away winning margin in an eliminator since a 4-0 triumph over Cape Verde 12 years ago.

Vladis-Emmerson Illoy-Ayyet scored for Congo, who entered the Group E match at Stade Kintele confident of success after holding Ghana 1-1 in Kumasi last Friday.

The crucial goal came two minutes into first-half stoppage time when Partey ran on to a pass and rifled a right-foot shot past goalkeeper Barel Mouko from a tight angle.

It gave Ghana a 3-1 half-time advantage and the lead was rarely threatened in the second half as Congo slumped to a record home defeat in a World Cup qualifier.

Ghana coasted to maximum points despite lacking two injured stalwarts, West Ham United midfielder Andre Ayew and Turkey-based striker Asamoah Gyan.

The three-time World Cup qualifiers had hoped  Egypt and Uganda draw later, but the hosts won before a 70,000 crowd in Mediterranean city Alexandria.

The next games will see Ghana take on Uganda in Kampala on October 7 as Egypt take on hapless Congo.

UGANDA XI: Onyango (GK), Wadada, Walusimbi, Isinde, Juuko, Hassan, Aucho, Okwi, Miya, Nsibambi, Ochaya. COACH: Basena #EGYUGA #WCQ pic.twitter.com/xCSv0noalN

— The Independent (@UGIndependent) September 5, 2017

#EGYUGA: Uganda Cranes close to the Promised Land #WCQ https://t.co/5fgKUHyivm pic.twitter.com/3VijX0XkTB

— The Independent (@UGIndependent) September 5, 2017

“My players had an off-day in Uganda,” said Argentina-born Egypt coach Hector Cuper earlier. “We still have nine points to fight for.”

Although the “Pharaohs” have been African champions a record seven times, they have consistently battled to qualify for the World Cup, last reaching the finals 27 years ago.

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Group A

Democratic Republic of Congo v Tunisia (1730)

Libya 1 Guinea 0

Tunisia 3 3 0 0 5 1 9

DR Congo 3 2 0 1 7 3 6

Guinea 4 1 0 3 4 7 3

Libya 4 1 0 3 3 8 3

Group B

Cameroon 1 Nigeria 1

Algeria v Zambia (2030)

Nigeria 3 3 0 0 9 2 9

Zambia 3 1 1 1 5 4 4

Cameroon 3 0 2 1 2 6 2

Algeria 3 0 1 2 3 7 1

Group C

Ivory Coast v Gabon (1730)

Mali v Morocco (1900)

I. Coast 3 2 1 0 6 1 7

Morocco 3 1 2 0 6 0 5

Gabon 3 0 2 1 0 3 2

Mali 3 0 1 2 1 9 1

Group D

South Africa v Cape Verde (1700)

Burkina Faso v Senegal (1800)

B. Faso 3 1 2 0 3 1 5

Senegal 3 1 1 1 3 2 4

S. Africa 3 1 1 1 4 4 4

C. Verde 3 1 0 2 2 5 3

Group E

Congo Brazzaville v Ghana (1430)

Egypt v Uganda (1800)

Egypt 4 3 0 1 5 2 9

Uganda 4 2 1 1 2 1 7

Ghana 4 1 2 1 6 4 5

Congo 4 0 1 3 3 9 1

Note: group winners qualify for 2018 World Cup in Russia