South Africa's hopes of qualifying for next year's African Nations Cup suffered a blow as they lost 2-1 to Niger - and relinquished the leadership of Group Seven to the Mena as a result.
A win would have put Bafana Bafana on the brink of making sure of a place in the January event hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, but the visitors were downed by goals from Dankwa Kofi, who headed in unmarked in the first half, and Ouwo Maazou.
Maazou tapped home from close range early in the second half, with Andile Jali's strike proving nothing more than a consolation in Niamey.
Niger are a point clear at the top of the pool as they seek to qualify for the finals of the continental championships for the first time.
The final round of qualifying matches in early October see Niger go to already-eliminated Egypt, while South Africa host Sierra Leone.
Angola remained in contention to qualify from Group 10 after moving to within a point of pool leaders Uganda by beating them 2-0 in Luanda. Manucho and Amado Flavio scored for the hosts.
Sudan pulled level on 13 points with Group Nine leaders Ghana with a 1-0 win in Congo.
Nigeria remain in contention to advance from Group 2 after a 2-0 win in Madagascar. Central defender Jospeh Yobo put the Super Eagles ahead after 68 minutes and Victor Obinna made sure of the win seven minutes later.
Coach Samson Siasia said: "They did not panic, they did not lose focus and they did everything we asked them to do, even when things were not going our way in the first half.''
Nigeria are still second in the pool, however, after Guinea beat Ethiopia 1-0 thanks to Bobo Balde's solitary strike to remain three points clear.
Nigeria host Guinea in what should be a thrilling final game next month when the Super Eagles will qualify with any margin of victory.
Zambia went back to the top of Group Three with a 2-1 win against Comores. Felix Katongo put the visitors ahead only for the home side to grab a surprise equaliser through Yousouf Mchangama. Emmanuel Mayuka netted the winner with three minutes to go, firing in after James Chamanga's shot bounced into his path.
Zambia now need a draw at home against Libya on October 8 to book their place in the finals.
Morocco remain on top of Group Four on a better head-to-head record than Central African Republic after the sides battled out a goalless draw, while Zimbabwe moved within a point of Group One leaders Mali with goals from Willard Katsende, Ovidy Karuru and Khama Billiat giving them a 3-0 win over Liberia.
Togo beat already-qualified Botswana 1-0 in Group 11 and in Group Eight Burundi required a last-minute goal from Papy Faty to salvage a 1-1 draw at home to Benin, who had gone in front courtesy of Guy Akpagba's 55th-minute strike.
