SA beat Burkina Faso as Senegal go top of Group D with victory in Cape Verde

Sibusiso Vilakazi celebrates after scoring South Africa's third goal against Burkina Faso

South Africa kept their World Cup qualifying hopes alive with a 3-1 home win against Burkina Faso as Senegal went top of Group D with a 2-0 victory in Cape Verde.

In Johannesburg, Percy Tau gave South Africa an early lead against Burkina Faso, Themba Zwane doubled the tally after half an hour before Sibusiso Vilakazi's strike made it 3-0 shortly before half-time.

Bongani Zungu was shown a straight red card in the 69th minute for violent conduct, following a scuffle.

Burkina Faso's Alain Traore was lucky to stay on the pitch after television replays showed he elbowed Zungu.

South Africa's pace and control dropped after the incident as Traore produced a superb free-kick towards the end to beat Itumeleng Khune to make it 3-1.

The win gives Stuart Baxter's side a chance to fight for the group's sole ticket as they could still finish top if they win their remaining two matches.

Bafana Bafana stay two points adrift of Cape Verde, who lost 2-0 at home to Senegal, in the second match of Group D later on Saturday.

After a goalless first half, Senegal seized the advantage late in the game with two goals in the last seven minutes.

West Ham's Diafra Sakho scored after 83 minutes with Cheikh Ndoye adding a second in the 90th minute.

That victory puts Senegal top of Group D with two fixtures against South Africa to come.

Only the group winners will qualify for Russia 2018.