Algeria have booked their place at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the Ivory Coast with a 1-0 win over Niger.
Striker Baghdad Bounedjah scored early to give Algeria victory, making them the second team to qualify after World Cup semi-finalists Morocco.
Bounedjah struck in the sixth minute, shooting into the bottom right corner after being played in by Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez, as Algeria took their record to four wins from four in the final qualifiers.
The race is on between Tanzania, Niger and Uganda to take the other qualifying place in Group F.
Morocco qualified last week without playing, after South Africa and Liberia drew 2-2 on Friday.
That meant Morocco will definitely take one of the top two places in Group K, which was reduced to three teams when Zimbabwe were disqualified.
Morocco celebrated with a 2-1 win over Brazil 2-1 in a friendly on Saturday.
Morocco made football history last year in Qatar when they became the first African team to reach the last four of the World Cup.
They will be considered one of the favourites for the AFCON title next year.
The north African nation is enjoying a golden period after hosting FIFA’s Club World Cup in February and being announced this month as part of a joint bid with Spain and Portugal to stage the 2030 World Cup.
Defending champions Senegal are top of their AFCON qualifying group and on course to reach the final tournament following forward Sadio Mane’s return to action with his country last week.
Senegal can qualify on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) if they win in Mozambique.
In other qualifiers on Monday, Nigeria gained revenge for a surprise home loss to Guinea-Bissau on Friday by winning 1-0 away to the same opponents.
Moses Simon converted a penalty in the 30th minute to put Nigeria back on top of Group A.
Angola and Ghana drew 1-1, leaving Ghana top of a tight Group E by a point from Central African Republic, and three points from third-placed Angola with two rounds of games to play.
