Equatorial Guinea scored early and dominated the first half but South Sudan came back strongly to hold them to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their World Cup first round tie on Wednesday.

Luis Alberto Meseguer opened the scoring after 35 minutes but an own goal from Niko Kata 15 minutes from time ensured a share of the spoils at the Al Hilal Stadium in Khartoum.

South Sudan were forced to move the game to their northern neighbours because their own stadium in Juba is being renovated and therefore did not have as strong a base of support as they ordinarily would have.

But there was still plenty of South Sudanese to back their bid to win a first ever World Cup qualifier.

But they were silenced when Madrid-born Meseguer finished from the edge of the area after a build-up involving Pedro Obiang, who ran the game from his midfield position, and Niko kata.

The. big centre forward, however, tured the ball into his own net in the 75th minute after a strong run and cross from the left from Kenny Athiu, the lanky Australian based midfielder making his debut for South Sudan.

He came off the bench to make a strong impression on a remarkable return to the country his family fled when he was just four years old.