With the qualification campaign entering its final round, the field of potential teams has continuously become slim, with many giants looking uncertain of a spot at the FIFA 2018 World Cup, Russia.
None of the five spots have been confirmed yet but with the tables set to take shape in this round, Ducorsports brings you a detailed look at who still has a chance to book a place at the World Cup next year.
GROUP A
Tunisia who has been flying high throughout the campaign is favorite to stay top of Group A considering the side faces a ‘relegated’ Guinea and Libya in its final two games.
Second-placed DR Congo might have put up a good fight but will have to win both games and hope Tunisia loses points in either of the games for the side to stand a chance.
Below is the full table.
|
W |
D |
L |
Goals |
Points |
| Tunisia |
3 |
1 |
0 |
7:3 |
10 |
| DR Congo |
2 |
1 |
1 |
9:5 |
7 |
| Guinea |
1 |
0 |
3 |
4:7 |
3 |
| Libya |
1 |
0 |
3 |
3:8 |
3 |
07th/10: Libya v/s DR Congo
Guinea v/s Tunisia
11th/11: Tunisia v/s Libya
DR Congo v/s Guinea.
GROUP B
The group will be settled in the first fixture of the round when on-form Nigeria hosts Zambia in Uyo on 07th/10.
Zambia will have to beat Nigeria away from home to keep its qualification dreams alive but would have to get a reasonable goal difference to stand a chance.
Former favorites, Cameroon and Algeria have already dropped out of the race and will use their remaining two fixtures to prepare their squads for the upcoming African Cup of Nations qualification campaign.
|
W |
D |
L |
Goals |
Points |
| Nigeria |
33 |
1 |
0 |
10:3 |
10 |
| Zambia |
2 |
1 |
1 |
6:4 |
7 |
| Cameroon |
0 |
3 |
1 |
3:7 |
3 |
| Algeria |
0 |
1 |
3 |
3:8 |
1 |
7th/10: Nigeria v/s Zambia
Cameroon v/s Algeria
11th/11: Zambia vs. Cameroon
Algeria vs. Nigeria
GROUP C
Ivory Coast is the favorite in this close group but will need to win both the side’s final games to be on the safe side.
Morocco who has the highest goal difference will also need to win both games but a draw against the Elephants and a big win against Gabon will also give them an upper hand in the group.
|
W |
D |
L |
Goals |
Points |
| Ivory Coast |
2 |
1 |
1 |
7:3 |
7 |
| Morocco |
1 |
3 |
0 |
6:0 |
6 |
| Gabon |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2:4 |
5 |
| Mali |
0 |
2 |
2 |
1:9 |
2 |
6th/10: Mali v/s Ivory Coast
Morocco v/s Gabon
11th/11: Zambia vs. Cameroon
Algeria vs. Nigeria
GROUP D
This is the controversial group. It will have an extra match after FIFA canceled the results from the first round qualifier between South Africa and Senegal.
Burkina Faso who has been considering appealing against FIFA’s decision will have to win both its games to stay in contention. Cape Verde also stands a chance if it wins its final two games (one against Senegal).
Senegal who is favorite despite seating in the third position will have to win all their matches if they want to book a place at the World Cup. They will be facing Cape Verde away from home, and South Africa who beat them 2-1 in the first match over two legs.
|
W |
D |
L |
Goals |
Points |
| Burkina Faso |
1 |
3 |
0 |
5:3 |
6 |
| Cape Verde |
2 |
0 |
2 |
4:6 |
6 |
| Senegal |
1 |
2 |
0 |
4:2 |
5 |
| South Africa |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3:5 |
1 |
7th/10: South Africa v/s Burkina Faso
Cape Verde v/s Senegal
11th/11: Burkina Faso vs. Cape Verde
Senegal vs. South Africa
Later Date: South Africa vs. Senegal
GROUP E
With Congo out of contention, the battle stays between Egypt, Uganda, and Ghana. Egypt must win both its games to be safe but would cruise through if Uganda fails to beat Ghana on 7th/10 in Kampala.
Uganda who surprised many in this campaign will have to win both games and hope that Egypt loses points for the side to qualify for its maiden World Cup.
It’s a tricky venture for heavyweights Ghana who will hope leaders Egypt pick up not more than a point for it to qualify for the world cup.
|
W |
D |
L |
Goals |
Points |
| Egypt |
3 |
0 |
1 |
5:2 |
9 |
| Uganda |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2:1 |
7 |
| Ghana |
1 |
2 |
1 |
6:4 |
5 |
| Congo |
0 |
1 |
3 |
3:9 |
1 |
7th/10: Uganda v/s Ghana
8th/10: Egypt v/s Congo
November. Congo vs. Uganda
Ghana vs. Egypt
Featured Photo: FIFA
