Ibrahim Sannie BBC Sport

Group Five leaders Morocco take on Kenya in Nairobi

Group Five leaders Morocco go into their away game against fourth-placed Kenya in Nairobi on Saturday looking for a victory to maintain their advantage.

The Atlas Lions, who are the only unbeaten team in the 30-team qualifiers, know that a win will take them four points clear of second-placed Tunisia, the reigning African champions.

To prepare for this tricky World Cup qualifier, Morocco coach Badou Zaki took his team to the United Arab Emirates to acclimatize because the weather there is similar to that of the East African country.

But the Atlas Lions will have to do without young striker Marouane Chamakh who is suspended.

GROUP FIVE FIXTURES Kenya v Morocco (Sat 1300 GMT) Malawi v Botswana (Sat 1300 GMT) Tunisia 2-0 Guinea (Sat, last week)

While the Atlas Lions are ruing the absence of Chamakh, their opponents have been buoyed by the return of star player Dennis Oliech, the second highest scorer in this qualifying campaign with six goals.

The Qatar-based striker boycotted the Harambee Stars' 1-0 defeat against Guinea earlier this month over an alleged non-payment of his travel expenses.

"Oliech came to the federation today to offer his apology for the misunderstanding," the Kenya Football Federation's acting secretary Titus Kasuve told BBC Sport.

Dennis Oliech is back in action for Kenya

At the other end of the spectrum, only honour is at stake as bottom-placed Malawi host fifth-placed Botswana, with the result having no bearing on qualification places for either the World Cup or the African Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile, Tunisia are not in action this weekend because last year's Nations Cup victors are representing Africa at the Confederations Cup in Germany.

The Carthage Eagles beat Guinea 2-0 in their rescheduled World Cup encounter last weekend.