Make or break for Uganda Cranes

Key dates

▶️ Uganda vs Ghana Oct 7 ▶️ Egypt vs Congo Oct 7 ▶️ Congo vs Uganda Nov 6 ▶️ Ghana vs Egypt Nov 6

Standings Group E

 ??EGY – 9pts

??UGA – 7pts

?? GHA – 5pts

??CGO – 1

Nigeria, Tunisia, Egypt eye World Cup places

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP |  There are five places reserved for Africa at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and Nigeria, Tunisia, and Egypt could fill three of them this weekend.

Nigeria will secure a sixth appearance at the global football showpiece by winning in Uyo against Zambia, the only other Group B contenders.

Tunisia are away to Guinea and must better the result of second-place Democratic Republic of Congo, who face Libya, to clinch qualification from Group A

Egypt can end 28 years in the World Cup wilderness with a home victory over Congo Brazzaville if Uganda fail to collect maximum points against visiting Ghana.

Egypt have nine points in Group E, two ahead of Uganda and four in front of Ghana as they hope to end a long-running World Cup nightmare.

The last of two appearances at the tournament was in 1990 with the record seven-time African champions suffering several heart-breaking failures since.

Despite three withdrawals through injury, Argentina-born coach Hector Cuper can call on a formidable mix of local and Europe-based talent.

Centre-back Ahmed Hegazy, midfielders Mohamed Elneny and Ramadan Sobhy and striker Mohamed Salah are with English Premier League outfits.

Saudi Arabia-based goalkeeper Essam El Hadary is 44 and set to become the oldest footballer to play at a World Cup if the “Pharaohs” qualify.

Uganda warmed up for the game with a less than impressive performance against Madagascar, who won 2-1 at Lugogo.

Interim coach Moses Basena will however welcome back ace midfielder Tony Mawejje for a their make or break tie against Ghana’s Black Stars at Mandela Stadium.

Key in Saturday’s game again will be star goalkeeper Denis Onyango, who watched the Wednesday friendly on the bench.

Elsewhere on the continent, the other mini-leagues, topped by the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, cannot be decided after the penultimate series of matches, whatever the results.

Having won 2-1 in Zambia last year, Nigeria are understandably optimistic, especially after impressive home and away performances against African champions Cameroon last month.

Inspired by current and former Chelsea midfielders Victor Moses and John Mikel Obi, the “Super Eagles” triumphed 4-0 in Uyo and drew 1-1 in Yaounde to end the Cameroon challenge.