Violence reared its ugly head again in Africa's World Cup qualifying campaign when a riot brought a premature end to Mali's home match with Togo in Bamako on Sunday.

The game was abandoned amid chaotic scenes as thousands of spectators invaded the pitch after Togo went 2-1 ahead in the 90th minute to keep up with the leaders in Group One.

Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the rowdy crowd as fans poured into the streets surrounding the stadium, with cars attacked and reports of several people injured.

A last-minute goal from Togo's Souleymane Cherif Maman set off the crowd as the result left Mali, playing their first match under new French coach Pierre Lechantre, stuck at the bottom of the group with two points.

The home side led 1-0 after an early goal from midfielder Soumaila Coulibaly. Togo's Salifou Moustafa equalised in the 80th minute.

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Several incidents of violence during the last round of African qualifiers in October led to world soccer's governing body FIFA insisting on security inspections of stadiums across the continent to counter an escalation of ugly incidents.

A win for Togo keeps them level with leaders Senegal and Zambia in the tightest battle for top place in the five qualifying groups.

Two goals from Chelsea striker Didier Drogba [Images] helped the Ivory Coast to a 3-0 victory over Benin in Abidjan and extended their lead in Group Three to four points.

Cameroon went second in the group but needed a late goal from Spanish-based striker Achille Webo to secure a 2-1 triumph over Sudan, who had a player sent off early in the second half.

Another Chelsea player, Geremi, gave Cameroon the lead from a free kick. Ahmed Mugahid El Faki equalised before halftime in Yaounde.

UNCONVINCING PERFORMANCE

The win kept Cameroon in the qualifying race but it was again an unconvincing performance as Portuguese coach Artur Jorge took charge of his first competitive game.

Egypt [Images] are one point further back in third place after they beat Libya 4-1 in Cairo.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Ahmed 'Mido' Hossam opened the scoring for Egypt, who came back from a goal down.

Angola lost their unbeaten record in Group Four, losing 2-0 to Zimbabwe in Harare after strikes from Shingarai Kawondera and the French-based forward Benjani Mwaruwari.

Nigeria now top the standings. Algeria won their first group game, Mansour Boutabout grabbing a 47th-minute winner against Rwanda, who replace Algeria at the bottom of Group Four.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana lost ground in their bids to catch South Africa [Images] at the top of Group Two.

EARLY ATTEMPTS

The Congolese were held to a 1-1 draw by Ghana in Kinshasa.

The visitors dominated the first half with a string of early attempts on goal before midfielder Laryea Kingston [Images] intercepted a sloppy Congolese pass and powered the ball home after half an hour.

Substitute Mbuta Mbala injected energy into a lacklustre home side, setting up the equaliser six minutes into the second half for captain Shabani Nonda.

The draw left both teams on nine points, one behind Cape Verde Islands and three behind leaders South Africa.

The next round of World Cup qualifiers in Africa will be held on the weekend of June 3-5.

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