 Cameroon are on the verge of qualifying for the Athens Olympics |
With only the group winners qualifying for the Athens Olympics this summer, there is all to play for in all four African qualifying groups. Defending Olympic champions Cameroon can clinch a berth at this August's games in Athens if results go their way.
A win at home over the Democratic Republic of Congo and a victory for Ivory Coast over Mali in Abidjan would give the Sydney 2000 gold medallists an unbeatable four-point lead in Group B with one round of matches left.
It is hard to see the Cameroon side losing at home, especially after their convincing 4-1 triumph in Kinshasa last October as well as the fact that DR Congo are still searching for their first point in the qualifiers.
Marcus Mokake, who is now playing in France for Sedan, and Daniel Wansi are Cameroon's top scorers with just two goals each out of the nine the squad has scored.
The Ivory Coast only have a mathematical chance of going through but will be out for some revenge after a 3-0 loss to Mali in Bamako.
In Group C, Morocco are also in pole position to secure a spot in Athens if they win in Ethiopia and Angola lose at home to Uganda.
Ethiopia have proved the surprise team in this group, albeit with some erratic results, but they have beaten Uganda and Angola by a goal to nil yet have also suffered to 4-0 drubbings at the hands of Morocco and Angola.
Uganda travel to Angola with huge financial troubles and only have a delegation of 15 people including the assistant coach Jackson Mayanja, while regular boss Charles Namakola has been left behind.
 Egypt's Olympic squad take on Nigeria without former coach Hassan Shehatta |
Tunisia are top of Group A and visit Senegal knowing a win will keep them ahead of their opponents as well as Nigeria, who are at home to bottom of the table Egypt.
However Senegal have won both their home matches in the qualifiers so far and managed to force a 0-0 draw when they travelled to Tunisia.
1996 Olympic champions Nigeria will go into their match against Egypt full of confidence, with the North Africans having failed to win a qualifying point so far.
The Egyptians have not only sacked coach Hassan Shehatta but also disbanded the side that lost the opening four matches of the qualifying campaign.
New manager Mohamed Aly says that he will only pick players who are under the age of 19.
Group D is the most intriguing with all four sides in with a chance of qualifying, and top of the group Ghana visit bottom side South Africa, who are just four points behind.
Meanwhile, second-placed Zambia play host to Algeria, with just one point separating the two sides.
All the Olympic squads are restricted to players born on or after 1 January 1981, with each of the 16 finalists permitted three 'over-age' players in an 18-man squad.
MMIX
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