Big weekend in Africa

CAIRO (GoPharaohs.com) - This weekend will witness several important clashes in the five groups of the African World Cup Qualifiers. As the qualifiers reach their final stages, all competing teams are eager to collect as many points as possible to book a spot in Germany. However some upsets will not be a surprise with teams like Togo and Angola holding great ambitions.

Group 1: Togo looks to make history

The first big clash of the weekend will be in Dakar when Senegal hosts group leaders Togo. Les Eperviers, who have never reached a Fifa World Cup, are looking to make history with a win or a tie at Senegal. They currently top the standings with 16 points, 2 points above Senegal and 3 above Zambia. A win on Saturday will mean a clear 5-point lead over favorites Senegal and a big step towards Germany. Togo had won the first game with a 3-1 score at Lome. Zambia should also not be ruled out of competition when they host Mali as a win could bring them up to second place incase Senegal fails to grasp the 3 points. Liberia seem to have little to play for when hosting Congo on Sunday as both teams have a slim chance of reaching the 2006 African Nations Cup.

Group 2: South Africa almost there

The South Africans will almost ensure themselves a third consecutive Fifa World Cup appearance if they manage to defeat their visitors Ghana on Sunday. The Bafana Bafana is currently on top of group two with 15 points, 3 points clear from Congo DR and Ghana who have 12 points each. However, an ambitious Ghana side will try to pull an upset in Johannesburg and try to snatch the 3 points that will make this group wide open. The Black Stars have won the first match in Kumasi with a prefect 3-0 score line and such a result will boost their confidence. The DR Congo also have all to play for when hosting Burkina Faso on the same day. The hosts are still in competition for a possible Fifa World Cup spot, while the visitors are aiming to make the 2006 African Nations Cup in Egypt. The same situation applies to Cape Verde when they are hosted by Uganda, who have nothing to play for.

Group 3: Battle of the big-guns

Group three is proving to be the “group of death” as it reaches its closing stages. Group leaders Ivory Coast will host third-placed Egypt in a big game that will decide the new look of the group. The Pharaohs travel to Abidjan aiming to snatch the 3 points that will keep them in contention for the World Cup spot. Meanwhile, the Elephants are looking to extend their lead of the group and at the same time end the hopes of one of their two contenders. Cameroon will be hosting Libya in another big clash, as the Indomitable Lions could top the group if they win the game and Egypt upsets the Ivory Coast. Libya are looking to increase their points tally so that they can earn qualification to Egypt 2006, hence they have nothing to loose.

Group 4: All to play for

Lagos will witness another crucial encounter on Saturday between joint group leaders Nigeria and Angola. The home team looks to snatch first place without a partner as they are currently equal on points with Angola, but second with goal difference. The Angolans however will not be a walk-in-the-park for the Super Eagles, especially that the first game in Luanda ended 1-0 for Angola. Zimbabwe will be hoping to extend their shot at reaching the African Nations cup in 2006 when they are hosted by Algeria, who seem to have slim chances of reaching that same tournament. Gabon and Rwanda will both play for a win at Libreville, hoping a miracle could send any of them to Egypt in 2006.

Group 5: Morocco or Tunisia?

The final group of the qualifiers seems to be between either Morocco or Tunisia who are first and second respectively with only a point separating them. The group leaders Morocco will be hosted by Kenya, who lie in fourth place with 9 points and a game in hand. The visitors want to extend their lead before facing Tunisia the following round in a 2004 African Nations Cup final replay. Malawi host Botswana as both sides have no hopes of reaching Egypt, while Tunisia will face Kenya later in August. The Tunisians had already defeated Guniea earlier this month and put them out of contention for the 2006 Fifa World Cup.