Sevilla’s Frederic Kanoute scores to give Mali 3-1 win in qualifier

Kanoute scores to give Mali 3-1 win in qualifier

BAMAKO, Mali — Frederic Kanoute scored late to finish off Mali’s 3-1 win over Benin in a World Cup qualifier Sunday.

The Sevilla forward found the net in the 83rd minute to put the cap on a much-needed win that took Mali to four points, still five back of Group D leader Ghana. Only the five group winners qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Seidath Tchomogo put Benin up in the 12th, but Modibo Maiga replied nine minutes later, and Mamadou Diallo put Mali ahead in the 75th.

In Sunday’s only other qualifier, host Guinea beat Malawi 2-1 in Conakry.

Pascal Feindouno scored in the 24th minute and again in the 42nd and Guinea kept Malawi off the board until Chiukepo Msowoya scored in the 89th.

All but four African teams have played three games, halfway through the final round of qualifying. Gabon and Cameroon postponed Saturday’s scheduled match to September due to the state funeral of Gabon president Omar Bongo.

Egypt and Rwanda will play in Cairo on July 5, in a game pushed back because Egypt was playing in the Confederations Cup tournament in South Africa.

The Pharaohs lost 3-0 to the United States on Sunday, and were eliminated on goal differential despite beating Italy and nearly beating Brazil.

(This version CORRECTS Corrects to Malawi in 5th graf.)