Ivory Coast and Ghana also clinched places at the international showpiece for the first time while Senegal and South Africa were other favoured nations left to heal wounds.

Only in one of the five qualifying groups did the form book prove a reliable guide as Tunisia pipped Morocco after an intriguing 10-round struggle between the North African powerhouses.

But it was Angola, a former Portuguese colony in the south-west of the continent best known for a three-decade civil war, who stole the show by eliminating star-studded Nigeria.

Like several other nations, the Nigerian Super Eagles seemingly believed they had a divine right to be present at the World Cup having appeared at the previous three editions.

An early loss in Angola could have been overcome had the Eagles won the return match, but the visitors came from behind to draw in Abuja and establish a critical head-to-head advantage.

Fears that the Black Antelopes of Angola would lose their nerve proved unfounded with a convincing home triumph over Gabon followed by a late victory at bottom-of-the-table Rwanda.

Nigeria finished in style under caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen, drilling five goals each past Algeria and Zimbabwe, but the west Africans were left to rue two dropped points in Rwanda.

There will be a Nigerian presence at the World Cup in Germany as Stephen Keshi, fired as an assistant coach of the Super Eagles after a third-place finish to the 2002 African Nations Cup, coaches Togo.

Dismissed as outsiders in a pool containing 2002 World Cup giantkillers Senegal plus 2004 Nations Cup semifinalists Mali, Togo lost their opener in Zambia then went nine matches unbeaten.

Much of the credit must go to former Nigeria defensive stalwart Keshi, who moulded a group of virtual unknowns into a combative unit inspired by consistent scorer Emmanuel Adebayor.

The Hawks came from behind twice in Senegal to snatch a priceless point, hammered Liberia at home, and sealed top spot with a win in Congo after once again trailing twice.

Ivory Coast have produced many fine footballers down the years, but only had a shock 1992 Nations Cup success in Senegal to boast about until this year.

Didier Drogba and Aruna Dindane formed a dynamic strike force, but a couple of losses to serial World Cup qualifiers Cameroon threatened to leave the Ivorians at home.

However, Cameroon were held at home by Egypt in the final round after failing to convert a stoppage-time penalty and Ivory Coast won handsomely in Sudan to sneak through.

Ghana have lifted the Nations Cup a record-equalling four times, but former greats like Abedi 'Pele' Ayew and Tony Yeboah never came close to reaching the World Cup.

Ghana beat South Africa at home and away and finished in style, firing four goals past Cape Verde Islands without reply.

Roger Lemerre, coach of defending champions France at the 2002 World Cup, will be there again next year after masterminding the success of Tunisia.

The Frenchman has added mental steel to the Carthage Eagles, who trailed twice at home in the decider against Morocco before forcing a 2-2 draw that maintained a one-point advantage.

Failure was a bitter blow to unbeaten Morocco and controversial coach Badou Zaki quit soon after to be replaced by outspoken Frenchman Philippe Troussier.