JOHANNESBURG -- Tunisia qualified for the World Cup finals on Sunday following their 3-0 win in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the failure of closest rivals the Ivory Coast to beat Congo-Brazzaville.

Tunisia joined Cameroon and South Africa as the first three qualifiers for next year's tournament in Japan and South Korea.

The Tunisians' victory in Kinshasa, the biggest home defeat ever inflicted on the former Zaire, was marred by crowd trouble as spectators at the Martyr stadium interrupted play with a shower of objects directed at Malian referee Koman Coulibaly.

Defender Khaled Badra headed Tunisia in front after 14 minutes, and two goals in two minutes after the interval secured victory for the north Africans.

Both were scored by midfielder Zoubier Baya, one of several members of the side who played in the 1998 World Cup finals in France, the second with an ambitious lob from 40 metres.

The win ensured Tunisia finished qualifying with an unbeaten record and an unassailable lead in their group after the Ivorians' hopes were ended by their 1-1 draw with Congo in Pointe Noire.

The Ivorians were three points behind Tunisia with a game in hand at the start of play, but struggled on a sandy pitch in the coastal town.

Belgian-based defender Mamadou Coulibaly scored from a corner with nine points left to give them hope, but Congo equalised two minutes later from the penalty spot through Walter Bakouma.

The result meant the Ivory Coast, who still have to play DR Congo at home later this month, cannot catch Tunisia at the head of the group.

Sudan's mathematical chances of an unlikely World Cup place ended in Accra on Sunday with their 1-0 defeat by hosts Ghana in a group B qualifier.

Liberia lead the group after winning away in Sierra Leone on Saturday but have finished their campaign, leaving Nigeria needing to beat Ghana on July 28 to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup finals.

Also on Sunday, Zimbabwe beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in a meaningless group E qualifier in Harare. Both sides were out of contention for the World Cup, with the Burkinabe sending their under-17 side to play the match in preparation for the world championships in Trinidad and Tobago in September.

Three-way finish

On Saturday, Morocco failed to gain the point they needed to book their place in Japan and South Korea, going down 1-0 to Senegal in Dakar.

El Hadji Ousseynou Diouf's 17th-minute goal set up a thrilling three-way finish in group C, with Egypt and Senegal also still in contention, both three points behind Morocco with one game to play.

Egypt, who travel to bitter north African rivals Algeria, have a better goal difference but Senegal seemingly an easier match at bottom-placed Windhoek.

Both games are expected to kick off simultaneously on July 28 or 29, with a decision expected from FIFA on Monday.

Morocco will only qualify if both Egypt and Senegal fail to win their final matches. Only the top-placed team in each of the five African qualifying groups gets a place at the World Cup finals.