Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani each scored twice as African champions Algeria ran riot at home again in World Cup qualifying, defeating Niger 6-1 in Blida on Friday.
The rout followed Algeria's 8-0 home triumph over Djibouti in September, when Slimani scored four goals, and ensured they remained ahead of Burkina Faso in their qualifying group, albeit on goal difference.
Cameroon, Egypt and Ivory Coast also recorded important victories as the group phase of the continental qualifiers continued.
Mahrez's 27th-minute goal had Algeria leading 1-0 at halftime, and the floodgates opened after the break as the Manchester City attacker added a penalty, Slimani grabbed two goals in 10 minutes, Sofiane Feghouli scored, and Niger added an own goal.
Algeria now have seven points from three Group A games, matched by the Burkinabe, who defeated Djibouti 4-0 with Abdoul-Fessal Tapsoba grabbing two in their match in Marrakech.
Mohamed Salah, who was prevented from playing for Egypt in their previous home World Cup qualifier due to Britain's COVID-19 quarantine rules, returned to the team under new coach Carlos Queiroz as they took over at the top of Group F from Libya.
Debutant Omar Marmoush scored the only goal in the 1-0 win over Libya in Alexandria as Egypt moved to seven points, one ahead of their neighbours.
Angola defeated Gabon 3-1 at home in the other Group F game.
Bayern Munich striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored twice as Cameroon beat Mozambique 3-1 in Douala, but the Indomitable Lions remain one point behind Ivory Coast in Group D.
The Ivorians defeated Malawi 3-0 in Johannesburg, with Max Gradel scoring in the first half and Ibrahim Sangare and Jeremie Boga adding two more near the end of the contest.
Malawi were one of the 12 countries forced to move their home matches to neutral venues after their stadiums were not approved for use in the World Cup qualifiers because of poor facilities.
The African qualifiers continue on Saturday with six more matches around the continent.
The 40 countries involved in the group phase of the qualifiers are divided into 10 groups, with the winners advancing to the playoffs that will decide the five African representatives at Qatar 2022.