Former Chelsea foward, Didier Drogba scored on a penalty in the fifth minute, and Ivory Coast beat Senegal 3-1 in the first leg of their World Cup playoff Saturday.
Africa’s top-ranked team and its big-name players are now within reach of a berth in Brazil next year.
Also, Burkina Faso edged Algeria 3-2 on Aristide Bance’s late score. The Algerians will be boosted by their two away goals heading into the second leg next month.
After Drogba’s goal, Lamine Sane scored an own goal in the 14th and Salomon Kalou made it 3-0 at home for Ivory Coast early in the second half.
Burkina Faso has never been to the World Cup. Algeria is looking for back-to-back World Cup appearances.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will square up head-to-head with Ethiopia on Sunday for a chance to book a place in next year’s world cup.