By Matthew Kenyon BBC Fast Track

Places at Africa's first ever World Cup are at stake

Two games in to the final round of qualifying, the dream of South Africa is still just alive for all 20 African teams in contention for the World Cup.

But after this weekend's round of matches, even dreaming may not be enough for the likes of Kenya, Malawi or Guinea.

Here is the BBC's guide to the action in the third round of games.

You can hear all the details in our African sport programme Fast Track, at 1600 GMT on Friday and Monday.

Group A

2006 World Cup finalists Togo have the chance to make up ground on group leaders Gabon, if they can win in Morocco.

Gabon's game against Cameroon has been postponed whilst the country mourns its late President Omar Bongo, so if Togo beat the Atlas Lions they will join Gabon on 6 points.

Togo will be looking to Emmanuel Adebayor for goals

For Morocco, who have just a solitary point from their two matches so far, the game in Rabat is of vital importance too.

A win will put them back in the mix, but defeat will leave them battling even for a place at the Nations Cup in Angola next year - which would be a stunning set-back for one of the continent's big guns.

Group B

Nigeria's Super Eagles can move into pole position in this group, but only by securing an away win in Tunisia.

Coach Shaibu Amodu has had a good run recently, with a friendly win over France and a solid qualifying victory over Kenya, which has eased the pressure on him somewhat.

Nigeria see Tunisia as their greatest rivals for a place at the global showpiece next year but striker John Utaka knows it will be tough.

"Tunisia are a very good side so we have to give more than 100 percent in the game because it will be fierce," he told BBC Fast Track.

Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu has relieved some of the pressure on him

"They will have a massive crowd and they know how to frustrate opponents.

"I think it's the key game because if we win this one then we'll be in front [in the group]."

A win for Tunisia would give them a full nine points from three matches and put them well on their way to South Africa.

The other match in this group features Kenya at home to Mozambique, with the Harambee Stars hoping to register their first points of the campaign.

Group C

There is a top-of-the-table clash in this group, as Zambia host Algeria in Chililabombwe in the country's Copperbelt.

Both teams have four points from their two games so far and a win for either will take them a long way to the finals.

The other teams in Group C, Egypt and Rwanda will be hoping for a draw, as they sit out the weekend's action because of the Pharaohs' participation in the Confederations Cup.

Both teams have just one point - Egypt's position as favourites to go through to South Africa is long since gone.

Group D

Ghana were one of Africa's representatives at Germany 2006 and the Black Stars have a perfect start to their campaign behind them this time round.

But they have to make arguably the most difficult trip of this phase of qualifying when they travel to Sudan on Saturday.

With the likes of Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan in the squad, Ghana coach Milan Rajevac is confident of getting a win.

The team have been preparing in Kenya to help them acclimatise to the heat of Sudan.

But Sudan coach Steven Constantine has told the BBC that his side can get the win.

"We believe we can cause an upset," he said.

Mali are bottom of this group, with a draw and a loss so far, and they host Benin who also have just a point from their two games so far.

Group E

Two teams with maximum points so far meet in a potentially decisive clash in Ouagadougou.

Burkina Faso have genuine hopes of making it to their first ever World Cup finals after wins over Guinea and Malawi.

But their greatest test so far comes this weekend, when they host an Ivory Coast side complete with Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure and colleagues.

The Stallions are unbeaten at home in two rounds of qualifying so far and coach Paulo Duarte says they can do it.

"It is certainly going to be a difficult match with a strong team, but it is a match for which I have seriously prepared my players," he told the BBC.

"I [have] instructed them how to handle the game. Ivory Coast is a good team, but we too have a good team and since we are playing at home I think we have a better chance."

Neither Guinea nor Malawi have yet registered a point in this phase of the campaign.

They meet in Conakry.

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