Dakar — Many of Africa’s leading soccer teams are playing away games this weekend as the fifth and penultimate round of qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup and 2010 Cup of Nations soccer tournaments takes place.
For the last round of playoffs, Nigeria, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Tunisia, Senegal, Guinea, Mali and Angola will enjoy the advantage of playing at home.
Match of the day: Algeria v. Senegal
Algeria will host Senegal in Blida, where the high stakes will generate an electric atmosphere.
The Algerians have not been able to qualify for the Cup of Nations since 2004, so there is enormous pressure on them to succeed this time. Should they win, they will take the lead in their group.
Their coach, Rabah Saadane, has decided to put behind him all the difficulties he has encountered since taking over the team. He expects no less than a win, despite Senegal’s thirst for victory.
All Algeria’s best players have been called up, including Karim Ziani, who has been performing optimally with Marseille in France. Rafikh Saïfi, who has now fully recovered from an injury, will also be there, as well as Djebbour, who now plays for AEK Athens.
Victory for the Senegalese would keep them ahead in the group. Their last game will be against Gambia in Dakar. Coach Lamine Ndiaye, who has retained the same players since the start of the playoffs, has called up Salif Diao to bring his experience to boost the midfield.
So it seems the future of this group will be determined by the outcome of Senegal versus Algeria, even though the result of the clash between Gambia and Liberia will also be of interest.
The Boys Try to Redeem Themselves
Nigeria, already assured of a place in the next round, will try to defeat 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa in Port Elizabeth.
The Super Eagles, despite the quality of their players, will find it difficult to overpower Bafana Bafana, who are trying to redeem themselves with their fans. South Africa has not been heard of since winning the 1996 Cup of Nations final.
The return of Bafana striker Benny McCarthy means that an offensive strategy is in the works.
Portuguese duel on African soil
In Rades, Tunisia, revenge will be in the air as the Carthage Eagles try to turn the tables on Burkina Faso’s Stallions, who defeated them 2-1 last time around.
With their new Portuguese coach, Humberto Coelho, the Tunisians will try to forget once and for all the departure of Roger Lemerre, who now coaches Morocco.
Burkina Faso – unbeaten since the start of the elimination rounds, and even better with a record of four wins in four games – will aim to retain their position as leader of this group.
The fact their coach, Paulo Duarte, is also Portuguese creates the prospect of a separate, off-pitch duel.
Trap ahead for Cameroon, Guinea
Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions will find it difficult to overpower Cape Verde, a team that has been increasingly gathering steam, galvanized by a dynamic yet fair-play fan base.
Determined finally to reach a Cup of Nations tournament, Cape Verdeans know that realizing their ambition requires a victory over Cameroon – one of the continent’s most dreaded teams.
For their part, Guinea will put themselves back on track if they win in Harare. Held in check by Zimbabwe during their last confrontation in the midst of social and political unrest in Conakry, the Syli National must raise their level of play and show character to prevail against the Mighty Warriors.
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In this weekend’s other matches, a number of away victories are expected. Group leaders such as Angola, who will take on Benin in Cotonou, or Côte d'Ivoire, scheduled to play Mozambique in Maputo, will at the very least take home draws.
Mali will sell their skins dearly at Mademba Debat Stadium in Brazzaville against Congo’s Red Devils.
Lastly, Rwanda, who have already notched up four wins, will make the long trip to Nouakchott, where victory will be in their sights, given that all Mauritania’s previous opponents have walked away with wins.
