Mtawali was Malawi's top player

13 March: Malawi
Former international midfielder Ernest Mtawali has been dropped from the squad to play Zimbabwe in a warm-up game before the crucial qualifier against Nigeria.

The country's longest-serving player last week announced he had come out of retirement to play for the national side once more.

But Mtawali has not played for the last two years and coach Allan Gillet said he was dropping Mtawali due to his lack of fitness.

Gillet however said Mtawali would be given another chance when the team returned from Zimbabwe.

13 March: Tanzania/Uganda
The two sides played an uninspiring match in Arusha on Wednesday which ended 0-0.

The drab game, which saw few chances and little exciting play, will raise few worries for their Nations Cup opponents. Tanzania host Zambia, while Uganda take on Rwanda in Kigali.