Two goals from Didier Drogba helped the Ivorians thump Benin 6-2 away to win Group H with two matches to spare, earning them a place alongside already-qualified Botswana and co-hosts Equatorial Guinea and Gabon in the 2012 finals.

Former champions Cameroon, Egypt and Nigeria all drew, leaving them on the brink of elimination, with Samuel Eto’o missing a late penalty for the Indomitable Lions in a match marred by rioting by home fans.

Egypt, winners of the last three tournaments, were held 0-0 at home by Group G leaders South Africa in Cairo and need a minor miracle to stand any chance of being able to defend their title.

Nigeria are three points behind Guinea in Group B after captain Joseph Yobo scrambled a late equalizer in a 2-2 away draw with Ethiopia. Guinea beat Madagascar 4-1.

Cameroon remained five points behind Group E leaders Senegal after Eto’o missed a late penalty and the match between the two heavyweights in Yaounde on Saturday ended goalless.

Home supporters rioted after the stalemate which virtually ended Cameroon’s chances less than year after they were one of six African representatives at the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Senegal will qualify if they beat Democratic Republic of Congo at home in their next qualifier in September.

Burkina Faso’s 4-1 away win over Namibia in Group F on Saturday put them one point away from a Nations Cup final place.

Uganda, 2-0 winners over Guinea Bissau on Saturday, will qualify for the first time since 1978 if they can force an away draw against second-placed Angola in their next Group J game in September.

Former Manchester United striker Manucho scored the winner in Angola’s 1-0 win over Kenya.

Rank outsiders Central African Republic kept up their unlikely march with 2-1 home win over Tanzania on Sunday and share the leadership of Group D with Morocco, who hammered neighbors Algeria 4-0 on Saturday.

Cape Verde still lead Group A despite a 1-0 defeat in Liberia while Tunisia are back contention in Group K, won by Botswana, after Issam Jomaa scored a hat trick in a 5-0 victory on Sunday over Chad.

The winners of the 11 groups qualify for the finals plus the runners-up in Group K, which has five teams.

The best two runners-up from groups A to J also qualify.

The final two rounds of qualifiers are to be played in September and October.