The mathematical permutation for Taifa Stars to win the African Nations/World Cup qualifier 2010 berth, came to a tricky pattern on Sunday when Cape Verde registered vital away victory to bag six-points in group one match.

The victory by the Atlantic Ocean islands has completely transformed the complexion of the qualifiers in the group where Stars now need to run in a distance they were supposed to walk.

Stars now have a tight path to sail through should they need to secure the berth after three qualifier appearances without a win, losing once and managing priceless draws against Mauritius and Cameroon.

The Indomitable Lions of Africa host Stars on Saturday in Yaounde as Cape Verde are at home to battle Mauritius.

A win for Cape Verde in Praia would complicate the qualifiers for Stars should they fumble in Yaounde.

The only way for Stars to survive is to win the away battle in Yaounde that looks to be a tall order, needing a combination of luck and exemplary performance.

The only remedy for Stars to make a qualifier breakthrough is to win in Yaounde, while praying for Cape Verde to lose at the hands of visiting Mauritius in Praia.

Should that happen, pressure for Stars to qualify would be relatively diffused and open up the group for grabs.

Certainly, hitting a nine-point mark is Cape Verde's top priority in the qualifiers as Cameroon focus on ten-point spot this weekend.

With only two points in their kitty, Stars have a hurdle to cross and even the second best finish in the group looks far from reach.

Stars at present have eleven-point ceiling which can be chopped further to eight should they fumble in Yaounde to stay out of the qualifier track.

Stars would rue their last week's loss to Cape Verde and a stalemate with Mauritius in the qualifier opener last month.

Impressive as Stars can be, there is no margin of errors left in the three remaining qualifier fixtures.