Africa gets down to business: final round, matchday 2 preview

Along with the weather, 2010 World Cup qualifying heats up this month in Africa

The novelty of March’s opening round of fixtures for 2010 World Cup qualifying in Africa is behind us and by the end of this month, half of just about every team’s group matches will have already been played.

There are is no more margin for error for the heavyweights that let points slip in their first match. That uncharacteristically lengthy list includes double African champions Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Morocco. Algeria was also set back by their draw with Rwanda. The only group favorites to win on day one were Tunisia, Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire.

For Egypt, things have only gotten worse since their unlikely 1-1 draw with Zambia in Cairo, with off-the-field rows between star strikers Mido and Amr Zaki, a spate of minor injuries, and Goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary’s pending international suspension to name just some of manager Hassan Shehata’s recent problems. Shehata will bring his Pharaohs into the unfriendly confines of Blida, Algeria minus the services of Mido, in what is sure to be the most heated contest of the weekend.

Algeria's raucus fans are ready for rivals and African champions Egypt

The Moroccans meanwhile have wrung-in the changes following their infamous 2-1 home loss against Gabon. Manager Roger Lemerre has called up five home-based players for the contests against Cameroon on the 7th, and Togo 13 days later, all of whom feature for Wydad Casablanca. To make room, several notables were dropped from the side that succumbed to Gabon, including Chemcedine El Araichi, Adel Taarabt, Merouane Zemmama, and captain Youssef Safri.

The Atlas Lions’ opponents for Sunday are dealing with issues of their own, namely the departure of manager Otto Pfister who resigned suddenly ahead of a training camp for the Indomitable Lions in Belgium last week. Former Cameroon international ‘keeper Thomas Nkono has been called upon to step-in as coach for the interim.

The only one of that bunch that stumbled back in March that hs tangible reasons for optimism is Nigeria. Coach Shaibu Amodu has continued to build his own touches to the team since taking over for Berti Vogts last year. The Super Eagles should be buoyed by a consistently stingy defense (9 of the past 10 World Cup qualifying groups in Africa were won by the team that conceded the fewest goals), as well as a famous 1-0 win away to France in a friendly.

Much will be expected from the Super Eagles after beating the French in their own back yard

However, their June 7 clash has all the makings of a “trap game.” The Nigerians will have to guard against overconfidence following their win over Les Bleus, as well as keep against looking ahead to their June 20 showdown with Group B leaders Tunisia in Rades.

Zambia vs. Rwanda

Coach Renard and his Chipolopolo have a golden opportunity to take charge of Group C as they host outsiders Rwanda in the altitudinal nightmare of Chililabombwe. With Algeria and Egypt set to renew pleasantries in Blida, Zambia could see themselves at the summit of the group by the end of the weekend if they win and the Fennecs and Pharaohs cancel each other out.

PREDICTION: Zambia 2:0 Rwanda – With morale as sky high as the venue, Zambia run out two-goal winners at the minimum.

Malawi vs. Burkina Faso

While the Flames are just happy to be in the final round of qualifying, the upstart Stallions are keen on springing the upset in Group E and qualifying for the World Cup. They got the start they wanted in their first match with a win over Guinea, but the Burkinabes may find Malawi a different proposition at home from the side that were trampled 5-0 by Les Elephants in Abidjan.

PREDICTION: Malawi 0:0 Burkina Faso

Gabon vs. Togo

Few would’ve believed that these would be the teams tied atop Group A after the first round of matches. But Gabon and Togo sprung sizable away upsets over traditional powers Morocco and Cameroon respectively. Togo of course was technically the home team, but they had to beat 2008 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up Cameroon on neutral ground in Accra. A win for either team would be a giant step towards South Africa.

PREDICTION: Gabon 1:1 Togo – The winners of this result would be Cameroon and Morocco.

Tunisia vs. Mozambique

We all know how difficult it is to win away from home in Africa and the Carthage Eagles were one of only two teams to achieve the feat on matchday one. Mozambique meanwhile stood up to mighty Nigeria, sharing the spoils in a match many thought should have gone to the hosts. Unfortunately for the Mambas however, Tunisia is a well-oiled machine when it comes to World Cup qualifying, rarely dropping points to teams it’s “supposed” to beat, particularly at home.

PREDICTION: Tunisia 3:0 Mozambique – Tunisia remains atop Group B, setting up a potentially decisive showdown with Nigeria two weeks later with a chance to runaway with the group.

Cameroon vs. Morocco

Most pundits picked these as the teams that would battle it out for the Group A ticket to South Africa. Instead, these lions were left licking their wounds as they watched Togo and Gabon take 3 point leads. A loss for either team might just leave the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola as the only chance for glory in 2010.

PREDICTION: Cameroon 1:1 Morocco – Expect a desperate, hard-fought tussle between two sets of lions losing their teeth.

Benin vs. Sudan

Realistically, these two have their sights set on next year’s Nations Cup, but after a home draw with the fancied Malians, Sudan know they can keep things interesting if they can find a way passed Benin. The Squirrels however are a tough nut to crack in Cotonou.

PREDICTION: Benin 1:1 Sudan

Nigeria vs. Kenya

Much is expected of the Super Eagles following their unexpected friendly win over France. Coach Amodu has already publically spoke of the need to guard against over-confidence. The home crowd should keep any players alert that may still be basking in the afterglow of the French triumph, if the need to keep pace with Tunisians doesn’t do the trick.

PREDICTION: Nigeria 1:0 Kenya – Nigeria will look to keep talk of a Super Eagles renaissance going.

Guinea vs. Cote d’Ivoire

One of the most inconsistent, underrated teams in African football, Guinea has the potential to play spoiler when they host Cote d’Ivoire. Unfortunately for them, they’ve also displayed the kind of form that may suggests they could lose anywhere, any time. Les Elephants meanwhile will witness the return of Yaya Toure and Aruna Dindane as they look to keep the momentum going following their 5-0 thrashing of Malawi.

PREDICTION: Guinea 2:2 Cote d’Ivoire

Mali vs. Ghana

With the big derby up north and the do-or-die tussle in Yaounde, this is a match that may be flying under some people’s radars. Mali was expected to be the Black Stars’ main challenger in the group, but after only mustering a draw in Sudan the Malians theoretically must win this one in Bamako if they’re to stand any shot at being in South Africa next summer.

PREDICTION: Mali 1:0 Ghana

Algeria vs. Egypt

An always tense North African derby between teams steeped in tradition, these sides are on equal footing in the standings with everything to play for and everything to lose. Influential Marseille talisman Karim Ziani is back in the Fennecs’ fold, though striker Rafik Saifi will miss out due to suspension. Egypt will rely on the attacking triangle of Mohamed Zidan, Amr Zaki, and Mohamed Abou Treika as they attempt to get their World Cup journey back on track. 5,000 members of the Algerian police and military will be present to ensure hostilities don’t boil over.

PREDICTION: Algeria 1:1 Egypt – With their backs against the wall, the Pharaohs keep their World Cup hopes alive for now, but might not have enough to earn their first win in Algeria on their 11th try.

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