The Ivory Coast went into Saturday's game away to Sudan knowing that last month's loss to Cameroon meant that even a win would probably not be enough for them to overtake the indomitable lions at the top of the table, the latter playing at home to Egpyt.

Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue's team did what they had to, with a comfortable 3-1 win.

Meanwhile, Cameroon were only drawing 1-1 with Egypt going into injury time, when they were awarded a penalty. Up stepped defender Pierre Wome (who scored the winning penalty at the 2000 Olympics, when Lauren was their regular and crucial penalty-taker). Wome hit the penalty with his left foot, low and beyond the reach of Egypt's keeper, only to see the ball hit the foot of the post and go wide. Let's hope that Wome's former glories will save him from any backlash back home. I've seen forum entries from people saying he'd better stay out of the country, and this voxpop show the extent to which Cameroonians were confident of winning and (largely) pessimistic about how it'd affect the country (and themselves).

For example, "I know the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon shall win because I saw it in my dream that we were victorious by 3 goals to zero in favour of the Lions. My dreams have never failed me and this would not be an exception.But if we fail to qualify, I will develop heart problem."

and "The Indomitable Lions are indomitable. You just saw me buying a ticket to go and support them. I have my t-shirt also. You think I'm doing all of these for Cameroon to lose? Even if we have to use witchcraft, we will win."

Can't help wondering if Lauren would have been taking that penalty if he hadn't retired.

It'll be Ivory Coast's first World Cup, and with the likes of Kolo and jammy goal specialist Didier Drogba they could cause an upset or two.

I make it eight Arsenal players now guaranteed to be featuring (subject to fitness) at next year's world cup: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Gilberto, Freddie (99% sure), and van Persie. Henry, Reyes and Senderos are all in with a shout too... with all 3 needing to qualify to match the eleven we had at Japan/S.Korea in 2002.