Maher Mezahi

There is a pause in play as some of the lighting around the Japoma Stadium has gone out. Both teams and referee are now walking off until the technical problems can be resolved.

Maher Mezahi

Cameroon make two changes at half Captain Vincent Aboubakar is surprisingly subbed out for Kevin Soni, while midfielder Martin Hongla is replaced by Leandre Tawamba. Cameroon seem to have now shifted from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-4.

Souhail Khmira

The Tunisians started strong - "throwing punches at the locals", to use a Tunisian expression - but Mali weren't too lenient either, with multiple attempts to fire back. A shocking own goal by Sissoko followed by a red card for the same man left the locals dazed. The Tunisians head to the dressing rooms on a high.

Maher Mezahi

After blitzing Algeria in the opening minutes, Cameroon seem to have run out of ideas in attack. Algeria controlled the half-hearted attacking efforts and even managed to score a goal of their own late in the first half. Slimani's header will be crucial in this two legged tie where away goals still matter.

BBC Arabic's Riham Eldeeb

The Egyptian national team has just reached Cairo stadium and Senegal's team are on the way.

Maher Mezahi

The travelling 1700 Algerian supporters are in complete ecstasy. They seem to be making more noise than the tooting of the home support's vuvuzelas. The next few minutes will be crucial as Algeria will look to hold on to their lead and Cameroon will try to draw level.

Shades of Jonathan Woodgate's famous Real Madrid debut for Moussa Sissoko, sent off moments after scoring an own goal. He brought down Tunisia's Saifeddine Jaziri in a one-on-one.

It's... it's Moussa Sissoko.

Souhail Khmira

Both north African teams have taken a lead within seconds of each other.

While Algeria's came through a brilliant header from a dangerous free-kick, Tunisia's advantage was much less crafted. Sissoko's slip-up caught his goalkeeper off guard and he failed to get back and push it off the line.

Maher Mezahi

Algeria won a free-kick deep in Cameroonian territory. Youcef Belaili floated the ball in and Islam Slimani rose up highest to head the ball past Onana. Algeria lead in Cameroon 1-0!

Maher Mezahi

Toko Ekambi finds some space in Algeria's 18 yard-box and draws M'Bolhi out, but is flagged offside. It was tight, but a correct decision.

Souhail Khmira

Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane and a swift counter attack, shoots from inside the box but finds the nimble Mounkoro who deflected the threat to a corner.

Maher Mezahi

More than half an hour gone at Japoma Stadium and this match between Cameroon and Algeria remains goalless. The Indomitable Lions have pushed the tempo, but the Fennecs have made sure to slow the game down and frustrate their opponents.

Souhail Khmira

Diaby with a cross to Bissouma who misses an incredible opportunity!

Maher Mezahi

The Cameroonian public are enjoying a duel between left-back Nouhou Tolo and Mahrez. In a pre-match press conference, Cameroonian journalists told Mahrez that Tolo "extinguishes" wingers. Mahrez replied "I play against great full-backs every week. We'll see if he's a great full-back".

The crowd are now cheering Tolo's every touch.

Souhail Khmira

Bamlak Tessema orders everyone off the patch for a water break. The 38° of heat in the capital Bamako is not kind to those on the pitch.

Souhail Khmira

Jalel Kadri is hoping to be the third Tunisian coach to take the Carthage Eagles to the World Cup. Abdelmajid Chettali was the first in 1978, Nabil Maaloul was the second in 2018.

Souhail Khmira

Yves Bissouma fires a rocket from outside the box, almost catching Ben Said off-guard, but the shot goes wide.