We just finished Round 4 and now we're set for the next round. Things are heating up in some of the groups, so let's take a look at who is in action this weekend.
Group 1 - CIV, Gabon, Madagascar
Gabon v Madagascar should be 3 points in the bag for the hosts, which should be redemption for their previous game against CIV when Les Elephants spelt G-A-B-O-N. CIV has the weekend off, and in an ideal world, there could have been a match scheduled between the Elephants and the Black Stars.
Group 2 - Egypt, Burundi, Mauritania, Botswana
Burundi v Egypt has been postponed because there are no hotels in Rwanda to accomodate the Egyptians. Yes, Rwanda. The stadium in Burundi is not match fit. (I could name a few players who are also not match fit). Botswana host Mauritania and a win for either side would propel them to second spot behind the current African champs.
Group 3 - Nigeria, Uganda, Niger, Lesotho
The top 2 teams travel for their fixtures and I predict Nigeria to extend it's lead over the Cranes. The Ugandans have difficulty scoring away from home let alone getting a win. Using my "football logic", Lesoho beat Niger which drew against Uganda. Therefore, Lesotho will beat Uganda. However, the Cranes are coming off a splendid win over the Super Eagles so expect fireworks in Windhoek.
Group 4 - Tunisia, Sudan, Seychelles, Mauritius
Tunisia v Mauritius. Let's chalk up the 3 points for the 2004 ANC Champs. Sudan will (read: should) win against the Seychellois. Tunisia leads Sudan by a point. This group will go to the wire.....and Sudan will win it.
Group 5 - Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Rwanda
Another big win expected by Africa's #1 team; anything less than 4-0 will be a disaster. The Camerounians are quietly doing their thing while everyone is praising Cote d'ivoire and Ghana as Africa's top teams. They have the best record in qualifying and their 2nd string should get the job done against the hapless Rwandans. Liberia v Eq Guinea is one of the matches of the weekend. The Lone Stars are currently trailing the Central Africans and a victory (depending on scoreline) could move them into second place.
Group 6 - Angola, Eritrea, Kenya, Swaziland
Angola host Swaziland and a win will give them 13 points, pretty much securing a place for Ghana 2008. Eritrea beat Kenya in Nairobi, the Eritreans' 3rd ever victory at international level. I expect the same.
Group 7 - Senegal, Mozambique, TZ, Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso v Tanzania
Mozambique v Senegal.
Tough matchups in this group where 3 points separate the Teranga Lions from the Burkinabes. I am predicting draws
This is definitely the GoD
Group 8 - Algeria, Guinea, Gambia, Cape Verde
Dear Algeria....Welcome back to the top tier of African football. Did you watch the game v Argentina? The Algerians are getting there, and I am expecting big things from them at Ghana 2008. But first, they have to take care of Guinea in Algiers and then finish off the qualifiers v Gambia in September. The Guinea game is another tough one to predict this weekend and will definitely be interesting. Gambia will draw with the Cape Verdeans.
Group 9 - Togo, Mali, Benin, Sierra Leone
Let's all laugh at Mali. After 4 rounds they have only 6 points. This weekend, they face the Leone Stars without the services of their La Liga exports (Mssrs Kanoute and Diarra). I think Mali will get the job done against Leroy Rosenior's men. Togo travel to Benin and will win.
Group 10 - DR Congo, Namibia, Ethiopia, Libya.
Another interesting group where 3 points separates first from last. Namibia host the Congolese and a win would lift the Namibians into top spot. Imagine - Namibia at the Nations Cup!!! In case you are wondering, they have never been. Their confed was only formed in 1990. Libya v Ethiopia is a difficult one to call. Last time I expected DR Congo to beat Ethiopia in Addis. And then....
Group 11 - South Africa, Zambia, Congo, Chad
Bafana Bafana could not beat Congo in Johannesburg last year. The Congolese will not be so forgiving. Zambia beat Chad 0-2 in Ndjamena and they'll beat them in Lusaka. Victory in Lusaka coupled with a Bafana loss will result in the Zambians tying for top spot in this group. And in the final round, Bafana hosts Zambia. Nice
Group 12 - Morocco, Malawi, Zimbabwe
Malawi v Morocco. Tough to call. The Moroccans are tough to predict on the road. In the last WC Qualifiers they did not lose a game, and they did not win any of their away games. Zimbabwe has the weekend off.
Enjoy, and if you have any online links......do share
Group 1 - CIV, Gabon, Madagascar
Gabon v Madagascar should be 3 points in the bag for the hosts, which should be redemption for their previous game against CIV when Les Elephants spelt G-A-B-O-N. CIV has the weekend off, and in an ideal world, there could have been a match scheduled between the Elephants and the Black Stars.
Group 2 - Egypt, Burundi, Mauritania, Botswana
Burundi v Egypt has been postponed because there are no hotels in Rwanda to accomodate the Egyptians. Yes, Rwanda. The stadium in Burundi is not match fit. (I could name a few players who are also not match fit). Botswana host Mauritania and a win for either side would propel them to second spot behind the current African champs.
Group 3 - Nigeria, Uganda, Niger, Lesotho
The top 2 teams travel for their fixtures and I predict Nigeria to extend it's lead over the Cranes. The Ugandans have difficulty scoring away from home let alone getting a win. Using my "football logic", Lesoho beat Niger which drew against Uganda. Therefore, Lesotho will beat Uganda. However, the Cranes are coming off a splendid win over the Super Eagles so expect fireworks in Windhoek.
Group 4 - Tunisia, Sudan, Seychelles, Mauritius
Tunisia v Mauritius. Let's chalk up the 3 points for the 2004 ANC Champs. Sudan will (read: should) win against the Seychellois. Tunisia leads Sudan by a point. This group will go to the wire.....and Sudan will win it.
Group 5 - Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Rwanda
Another big win expected by Africa's #1 team; anything less than 4-0 will be a disaster. The Camerounians are quietly doing their thing while everyone is praising Cote d'ivoire and Ghana as Africa's top teams. They have the best record in qualifying and their 2nd string should get the job done against the hapless Rwandans. Liberia v Eq Guinea is one of the matches of the weekend. The Lone Stars are currently trailing the Central Africans and a victory (depending on scoreline) could move them into second place.
Group 6 - Angola, Eritrea, Kenya, Swaziland
Angola host Swaziland and a win will give them 13 points, pretty much securing a place for Ghana 2008. Eritrea beat Kenya in Nairobi, the Eritreans' 3rd ever victory at international level. I expect the same.
Group 7 - Senegal, Mozambique, TZ, Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso v Tanzania
Mozambique v Senegal.
Tough matchups in this group where 3 points separate the Teranga Lions from the Burkinabes. I am predicting draws
This is definitely the GoD
Group 8 - Algeria, Guinea, Gambia, Cape Verde
Dear Algeria....Welcome back to the top tier of African football. Did you watch the game v Argentina? The Algerians are getting there, and I am expecting big things from them at Ghana 2008. But first, they have to take care of Guinea in Algiers and then finish off the qualifiers v Gambia in September. The Guinea game is another tough one to predict this weekend and will definitely be interesting. Gambia will draw with the Cape Verdeans.
Group 9 - Togo, Mali, Benin, Sierra Leone
Let's all laugh at Mali. After 4 rounds they have only 6 points. This weekend, they face the Leone Stars without the services of their La Liga exports (Mssrs Kanoute and Diarra). I think Mali will get the job done against Leroy Rosenior's men. Togo travel to Benin and will win.
Group 10 - DR Congo, Namibia, Ethiopia, Libya.
Another interesting group where 3 points separates first from last. Namibia host the Congolese and a win would lift the Namibians into top spot. Imagine - Namibia at the Nations Cup!!! In case you are wondering, they have never been. Their confed was only formed in 1990. Libya v Ethiopia is a difficult one to call. Last time I expected DR Congo to beat Ethiopia in Addis. And then....
Group 11 - South Africa, Zambia, Congo, Chad
Bafana Bafana could not beat Congo in Johannesburg last year. The Congolese will not be so forgiving. Zambia beat Chad 0-2 in Ndjamena and they'll beat them in Lusaka. Victory in Lusaka coupled with a Bafana loss will result in the Zambians tying for top spot in this group. And in the final round, Bafana hosts Zambia. Nice
Group 12 - Morocco, Malawi, Zimbabwe
Malawi v Morocco. Tough to call. The Moroccans are tough to predict on the road. In the last WC Qualifiers they did not lose a game, and they did not win any of their away games. Zimbabwe has the weekend off.
Enjoy, and if you have any online links......do share
and algeria lost 2-0 to guinea, and Ethiopia is on the verge of qualifying with a Dr Congo lost and a Ethiopia win that means Ethiopia would go because they beat DR Congo 1-0 in Ethiopia courtesy of sillahdin said goal. things are gettin intresting, Eritrea might be going to Ghana 08, gabon Uganda alot of teams fate are on the line in the last qualifying date. gonna be very hectic.