Mzalendo_Mkweli
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- Jan 30, 2012
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A group-by-group analysis of the 2014 World Cup qualifying competition in
Africa after the mini-league second round reached the halfway mark this
week.
GROUP A
South Africa were expected to dominate one of the weakest four-team sections,
but a team with an unimpressive away record are two points behind Ethiopia and
must visit Addis Ababa during June.
Ethiopia are on the rise, competing in the Cup of Nations two months ago
after a 31-year absence, with Salahdin Said a proven scorer and Shemeles Bekele
a dazzling dribbler.
GROUP B
Tunisia are looking good for a final-phase slot with victories over
Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde Islands and Sierra Leone giving them a five-point
advantage.
It is difficult to imagine the experienced Carthage Eagles slipping under new
coach Nabil Maaloul as they seek to atone for a disappointing first round exit
from the recent Cup of Nations.
GROUP C
Tanzania have emerged as unexpected main challengers to hot favourites Ivory
Coast, who are desperate to make Brazil having failed this year for the fifth
consecutive Cup of Nations to justify favouritism.
Ivory Coast are one point ahead of Tanzania, whose shock home win over four
time qualifiers Morocco catapulted them into contention, and the Elephants must
visit Dar es Salaam during June.
GROUP D
Zambia surrendered the advantage gained from a 'boardroom' victory over Sudan
when they conceded a late goal with 10 men to drop two points in an away draw
with minnows Lesotho.
This result opens the door for 2006 and 2010 qualifiers Ghana, whose loss in
Zambia will be irrelevant if they can win away to Sudan and Lesotho and at home
to the Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets).
GROUP E
Congo Brazzaville are well placed with maximum points from three outings and
a potentially crucial home fixture to come against surprise 2013 Cup of Nations
runners-up Burkina Faso.
Gabon and Niger appear out of contention, leaving Burkina Faso to try and
overcome a six-point deficit after a terrible start in which they forfeited the
point from a home draw with the Congolese and lost to the Gabonese.
GROUP F
It is proving tougher than expected for new African champions Nigeria with
Malawi and Kenya holding the Super Eagles and Namibia defending bravely before
conceding a match-winning late goal.
Success-starved Kenya were denied victory in Calabar by a stoppage-time goal
but new Algeria-born coach Adel Amrouche must be encouraged ahead of the return
match in Nairobi during June.
GROUP G
Egypt may have been African champions a record seven times but American coach
Bob Bradley knows what really matters is the World Cup with the Pharaohs' last
appearance 23 years ago.
After a routine victory over Mozambique, they exceeded expectations with a
win in Guinea and a late victory against Zimbabwe leaves them five points clear
and favoured to head the final standings.
GROUP H
Algeria shrugged off a disastrous 2013 Cup of Nations, in which they took one
point from a possible nine after being touted as possible champions, by beating
Benin to lead Mali on goal difference.
Although Benin cannot be dismissed, the struggle for supremacy is likely to
come down to the Desert Foxes and the Eagles with the outcome of their September
showdown in Algeria probably crucial.
GROUP I
Fallen giants Cameroon are one point ahead of Libya and two above Democratic
Republic of Congo in a tight contest that could go down to the wire between the
Indomitable Lions and the Mediterranean Knights.
Libya have two home fixtures to come compared with the one of Cameroon and
the north Africans received a boost with African body CAF clearing them to play
before their supporters after a long security-related ban.
GROUP J
Another intriguing mini-league with one-point gaps separating Senegal,
Liberia, Angola and Uganda and the situation could become even tighter after the
next round.
A Senegal side coached by former France star Alain Giresse look strongest on
paper with a Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse strike force, but 2006 qualifiers Angola
could emerge surprise winners. Source : African battle to reach Brazil hots up - SuperSport - Football
Africa after the mini-league second round reached the halfway mark this
week.
GROUP A
South Africa were expected to dominate one of the weakest four-team sections,
but a team with an unimpressive away record are two points behind Ethiopia and
must visit Addis Ababa during June.
Ethiopia are on the rise, competing in the Cup of Nations two months ago
after a 31-year absence, with Salahdin Said a proven scorer and Shemeles Bekele
a dazzling dribbler.
GROUP B
Tunisia are looking good for a final-phase slot with victories over
Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde Islands and Sierra Leone giving them a five-point
advantage.
It is difficult to imagine the experienced Carthage Eagles slipping under new
coach Nabil Maaloul as they seek to atone for a disappointing first round exit
from the recent Cup of Nations.
GROUP C
Tanzania have emerged as unexpected main challengers to hot favourites Ivory
Coast, who are desperate to make Brazil having failed this year for the fifth
consecutive Cup of Nations to justify favouritism.
Ivory Coast are one point ahead of Tanzania, whose shock home win over four
time qualifiers Morocco catapulted them into contention, and the Elephants must
visit Dar es Salaam during June.
GROUP D
Zambia surrendered the advantage gained from a 'boardroom' victory over Sudan
when they conceded a late goal with 10 men to drop two points in an away draw
with minnows Lesotho.
This result opens the door for 2006 and 2010 qualifiers Ghana, whose loss in
Zambia will be irrelevant if they can win away to Sudan and Lesotho and at home
to the Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets).
GROUP E
Congo Brazzaville are well placed with maximum points from three outings and
a potentially crucial home fixture to come against surprise 2013 Cup of Nations
runners-up Burkina Faso.
Gabon and Niger appear out of contention, leaving Burkina Faso to try and
overcome a six-point deficit after a terrible start in which they forfeited the
point from a home draw with the Congolese and lost to the Gabonese.
GROUP F
It is proving tougher than expected for new African champions Nigeria with
Malawi and Kenya holding the Super Eagles and Namibia defending bravely before
conceding a match-winning late goal.
Success-starved Kenya were denied victory in Calabar by a stoppage-time goal
but new Algeria-born coach Adel Amrouche must be encouraged ahead of the return
match in Nairobi during June.
GROUP G
Egypt may have been African champions a record seven times but American coach
Bob Bradley knows what really matters is the World Cup with the Pharaohs' last
appearance 23 years ago.
After a routine victory over Mozambique, they exceeded expectations with a
win in Guinea and a late victory against Zimbabwe leaves them five points clear
and favoured to head the final standings.
GROUP H
Algeria shrugged off a disastrous 2013 Cup of Nations, in which they took one
point from a possible nine after being touted as possible champions, by beating
Benin to lead Mali on goal difference.
Although Benin cannot be dismissed, the struggle for supremacy is likely to
come down to the Desert Foxes and the Eagles with the outcome of their September
showdown in Algeria probably crucial.
GROUP I
Fallen giants Cameroon are one point ahead of Libya and two above Democratic
Republic of Congo in a tight contest that could go down to the wire between the
Indomitable Lions and the Mediterranean Knights.
Libya have two home fixtures to come compared with the one of Cameroon and
the north Africans received a boost with African body CAF clearing them to play
before their supporters after a long security-related ban.
GROUP J
Another intriguing mini-league with one-point gaps separating Senegal,
Liberia, Angola and Uganda and the situation could become even tighter after the
next round.
A Senegal side coached by former France star Alain Giresse look strongest on
paper with a Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse strike force, but 2006 qualifiers Angola
could emerge surprise winners. Source : African battle to reach Brazil hots up - SuperSport - Football
