The Arab teams achieved good results in the first leg of the play-off round of the African qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, as Morocco tied 1-1 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while Algeria and Tunisia won 1-0 over Cameroon and Mali, respectively.

Algeria came close to qualifying for the World Cup after its 1-0 victory over its host Cameroon with the goal of Islam Slimani in the first leg of the play-off round of the African qualifiers today, Friday.

Slimani scored Algeria's goal with a powerful header after a cross pass from a free kick carried out by Youssef Belaili in the 40th minute.

Algeria, which has qualified for the World Cup four times before, most recently in 2014, needs to win or draw by any result in the return match at Mustafa Tchaker Stadium next Tuesday.

Tunisia defeats Mali

Mali defender Moussa Sissoko scored an own goal and was then sent off before the end of the first half as Tunisia won 1-0 away and moved closer to qualifying for the World Cup.

Sissoko wanted to return the ball to his advanced goalkeeper to avoid pressure from Tunisian playmaker Youssef Msakni, but it settled in the net in the 36th minute.

Four minutes later, the referee sent off the unlucky defender for blocking striker Seif El-Din Jaziri when he was on his way to alone with the goalkeeper.

With their victory away from home, Tunisia took a major step on the way to qualifying for the World Cup finals for the sixth time in its history.

Tunisia will host its rival Mali in the second leg of the decisive role on its soil and in front of its fans after four days.

Morocco..a tie with the flavor of victory

With this tie, Morocco is in a good position to ascend for the sixth time in its history and the second in a row to the finals scheduled in Qatar, later this year, when the return match will be held next Tuesday in Casablanca.

It was a good start to the match for Morocco, who controlled the ball to force his opponent to fall back in the first 10 minutes and get more than one corner kick, but without a real threat.

The Democratic Republic of Congo advanced against the course of play in the 12th minute with a shot from French-born striker Yoanne Weissa of Brentford, who deceived goalkeeper Yassine Bounou after the ball changed direction after hitting the head of captain Roman Sais.

It was a perfect start for the hosts, who are looking to qualify for the finals for the first time since 1974.

The Moroccan team's performance declined in the remainder of the first half, as goalkeeper Bono was removed in the 26th minute with a difficult deceptive cross pass by the back Amale Mkoko, the new defense player.

The Seville goalkeeper returned after four minutes to save his goal with the completion of half an hour after Wesa penetrated and passed the striker Cedric Bakambu of Olympique de Marseille after hitting the offside trap.

Towards the end of the first half, Ashraf Hakimi crossed a cross towards Youssef Nasiri's head next to the right post.

And Wesa almost added the second goal for the owners of the land and the public after three minutes of the second half, as he passed easily between two defenders inside the penalty area, but his shot towards the far corner passed along the left post.

Morocco responded with a header to striker Ryan Mayi, which the goalkeeper narrowly turned into a corner.

Morocco missed a penalty kick in the 55th minute after Mayi shot high.

Morocco equalized in the 76th minute through substitute Tariq Tisoudali with a shot in the far corner after a header from the other substitute Ayoub Al Kaabi.

Four minutes later, goalkeeper Bono headed away from a solitary position.

The Democratic Republic of Congo ended the match with ten men after defender Muzinga Ngonda was sent off for receiving a second warning five minutes before the end.

Morocco had filed a complaint before the match with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) due to local fans disrupting its training by invading the pitch, as well as the reception atmosphere in the Democratic Republic of Congo.