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Nigeria, Tunisia, Egypt eye World Cup places
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.
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.
#WCQ: Make or break for Uganda Cranes vs Ghana https://t.co/guZntBovZE pic.twitter.com/1vglHc5Wxw
— The Independent (@UGIndependent) October 5, 2017
#WCQ: Depleted Ghana squad prepares to face Uganda https://t.co/LgksxATfzy pic.twitter.com/xTpMAyfBm4
— The Independent (@UGIndependent) October 5, 2017
Germany-born Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr does not expect another multi-goal romp against Zambia, who would draw level with Nigeria on 10 points by winning.
“I do not believe another four-goal victory is a realistic expectation — winning by one or two goals will do fine,” Rohr told reporters.
“Zambia are now a much better team than when we beat them last year. Watching videos of their wins over Algeria, I was struck by the speed of the strikers.
“I believe Algeria underestimated them and we dare not make the same mistake. Zambia have introduced some of the African youth championship-winning team with good effect.
“It is nice that we have control of our destiny — a win takes us to Russia. The players, my technical staff and I are totally focused on that objective.”
