Big guns fail to fire

African powerhouses Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria and Algeria saw their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying chances dip after under-par performances at the weekend.
Defending champions Egypt were shocked 1-0 by hosts Niger in Niamey and are now bottom of their qualifying group, while Nigeria and Algeria lost in Guinea and Central African Republic, respectively.
The Black Stars of Ghana, who barely three months ago were battling in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, dropped two points after they were held to a goalless draw by Sudan in Kumasi.
Star striker Asamoah Gyan, who missed a rash of chances, saw red for dangerous play in the second half and was sent off.
Seven-time champions Egypt were punished by a slack defending in the first half by Bordeaux striker Moussa Maazou as the Mena of Niger recorded a famous win to throw the West African nation into a massive victory party.
"The players just ignored my instructions and they all did what they wanted," said a disappointed Egypt coach Hassan Shehata.
"I warned them not to underrate the underdog, but all the same I'm responsible for this loss."
Egypt are now rooted to the bottom of Group G with a point, while South Africa remain top of the standings on four points after they held Sierra Leone to a 0-0 draw in Freetown.
Algeria are also at the bottom of their qualifying group after a late rally gave the hosts Central African Republic a 2-0 win in Bangui.
Late goals by Audin Boutou and Kethevoama Therence have shot Central African Republic to the top of their qualifying group with four points.
Morocco beat Tanzania in Dar es Salaam courtesy of a first-half strike by Mounir El Hamdaoui with the host team coach, Jans Poulsen, ruing his team's relative inexperience.
After a late lifting of a FIFA ban, Nigeria were able to play their Group B tie in Guinea on Sunday.
However, a fifth-minute strike by Italy-based midfielder Kevin Constant gave the Syli Stars maximum points and they now have six points to stay top of their group.
"We paid the price for our casual start. We conceded an early goal but raised our game in the second half but could not come back," said Nigeria caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen.
"All the same, I believe we can beat Ethiopia home and away to get back into contention."
Nigeria and Ethiopia both have three points apiece, while Madagascar are yet to record a point after they fell to a late Ethiopian goal at home Sunday.
Senegal trounced Mauritius 7-0 in Dakar and Malawi were 6-2 winners over bottom team Chad in Blantyre for the biggest winners of the weekend.
Freiburg striker Papiss Cisse grabbed a hat-trick for the Teranga Lions of Senegal, who lead Group F with six points after Cameroon forced visiting DR Congo to a 1-1 draw in Garoua.
Malawi halted a sequence of three draws to move to third place in Group K on six points.
Tunisia snatched a late 2-1 win away in Togo to cut back the lead of surprise Group K leaders Botswana. Botswana have 10 points from four matches, while Tunisia are now two points adrift.
The east African derby between Kenya and Uganda ended in a 0-0 draw in Nairobi with Kenya coach Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee admitting it will now need something special to qualify for the tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
"It is now very tough for us. We need a miracle to qualify after a loss and a draw in our first two matches, said Mulee, who qualified Kenya to their last Nations Cup appearance in 2004.
Action will continue in the five-team Group K in November with Botswana hosting Tunisia and Chad away in Togo, while the third round of the qualifying tournament for the rest of the field resumes in March.
Co-hosts Gabon and Equatorial Guinea will be joined by the overall winners of the 11 groups and three best runners-up.