Amr Zaki is currently struggling with a knee injury

African champions Egypt look to secure a third consecutive victory in World Cup qualifying this weekend.

But the Pharoahs will have to make do with a patched up strike force to beat Malawi away on Saturday.

Egypt lead a list of heavyweight contenders who can take a step closer to advancing from the first phase of African qualifiers for the 2010 finals.

Angola, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali and Nigeria are all away this weekend.

And they will all be seeking to maintain their 100 percent starts to the first round group phase.

Egypt's Group 12 hopes have been hit by the withdrawal of striker Emad Moteab with a neck injury and lingering concerns over the fitness of Amr Zaki (knee).

Hamburg striker Mohamed Zidan has already been suspended by the Egyptians, who believe he faked injury to pull out of the month-long series of World Cup qualifiers.

A total of 23 World Cup qualifying matches are scheduled across the continent as 47 teams chase 20 places in the final group phase later this year.

The 12 group winners and eight best second-placed finishers advance.

Angola go into their Group Three qualifier against Uganda with concerns over the fitness of striker Flavio and winger Gilberto, while Mali meet Sudan without injured Juventus midfielder Momo Sissoko and defender Souleymane Diamoutene.