Sierra Leone's 2018 World Cup hopes are in danger after they lost the first leg of their preliminary round qualifier 1-0 against Chad in Ndjamena on Saturday.

The Sellas Tetteh-led Leone Stars, featuring nine foreign-based players, conceded the goal in the 47th minute of the game after Leger Djimrangar struck.

Both teams clash in the decisive second leg of the tie on Tuesday in the southern Nigerian city of Port-Harcourt.

The winner on aggregate will tackle seven-time African champions Egypt in the second round of the knockout phase of the qualifiers next month.

In other qualifiers played today, Madagascar hammered hosts Central African Republic 0:3 to take a giant step towards booking their place in the next round. In the game played in Bangui, Fetraniaina Rabeson gave the Malagasy the lead in the 27th minute, and Nijva Rakotoharimalala doubled the advantage six minutes from the break. Johann Paul then capped the win in the 65th minute.

Elsewhere, Polokwane City of South Africa midfielder Galabgwe Moyana and another PSL star Joel Mogorosi of Bloemfontein Celtic, scored in the 22nd and 64th minutes respectively to help Botswana beat hosts Eritrea 0-2 in Asmara.

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