LUANDA, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Angola came from a goal down to beat Niger 3-1 in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday but bowed out of the campaign despite finishing second in their group.

Angola, who were 1-0 down at half time, fell short of the

points needed to finish among the eight best group runners-up

who progress to the final phase of African qualifying along with

the 12 group winners.

It is a major setback for Angola, who host the next African

Nations Cup finals and were surprise finalists at the 2006 World

Cup in Germany.

Malam Moussa put Niger into a 20th minute lead in their

final Africa zone Group Three game but an own goal from

goalkeeper Daouda Kassali shortly after halftime began Angola's

fight back.

Gilberto and Ze Kalanga added goals in the 68th and the 73rd

minute after Niger had been reduced to 10 men with the sending

off of Lassina Abdoulkarim.

Angola's win ended the outside hopes of group rivals Uganda,

who had won 2-1 at home to Benin earlier on Sunday but it handed

Mozambique a place in the final phase, who now edge into the

list of best runners-ups.