African giants eye final spots

With just three games remaining in the third round of African qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, several favourites are in danger of missing out on a ticket, even before the final round of qualifying commences.
North African giants Tunisia and Egypt, as well as surprise package, Congo, could become the first countries to book their place in the final round of qualifying should results go their way this weekend.

The 10 group winners will advance to the third round, where they will be drawn into five ties, with the winners of the two-legged matches qualifying for Brazil.

When the draw for the second round of African qualifiers was made, Congo were placed in pot four as one of the weakest teams in the draw. This weekend the Red Devils could become the first African country to book their place in the final round of qualifying, leaving them just two games away from a first-ever appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

Ahead of a tricky away match in Gabon, they lead Group E by six points and would qualify with a win if the match between Niger and Burkina Faso ended in a draw.

For Gabon the match is a last throw of the dice as anything but a victory will see them eliminated.

Egypt can give their long-suffering fans something to smile about as they are one of three teams capable of qualifying for the final round this matchday. The Pharaohs are away to Zimbabwe, whose coach Klaus-Dieter Pagels said that their close 2-1 defeat against Egypt in March, gave them confidence.

A win for Egypt and a result for Mozambique in Guinea would guarantee the north Africans a place in the next round.

The Pharaohs could be joined by Tunisia, who would go through if they win their Group B clash in Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea fail to beat Cape Verde Islands.

In Group C, Cote d’Ivoire are neck-and-neck with Tanzania, and the Elephants, who have a point more than the Taifa Stars, are away to Gambia, while Tanzania travel to Morocco.

Cameroun's new coach Volker Finke is away in Togo for his first competitive match in charge of the Indomitable Lions, who lead Group I by a point from Libya.

Algeria are involved in a neck-and-neck race with Mali in Group H and will be looking to Islam Slimani for the goals in Benin that will keep the Fennec Foxes ahead of their rivals, who take on Rwanda. The CR Belouizdad striker, who is being linked with a move to Italy, is one of five players top-scoring in qualifying with three goals.

 
Source: fifa.com