30 July 2011
MTNFootball.com takes a closer look at the groups in African qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil … and picks some likely winners!
Group A
South Africa
Botswana
Central African Republic
Somalia or Ethiopia
Our say: South Africa have not fared well with draws for major competitions in recent past, having been handed some tough assignments. But they will be pleased with this one. Botswana are no pushovers, but Bafana would expect to collect four points at least from them, while CAR’s recent success looks to be on the wane. Either Somalia or Ethiopia should be a walkover.
Group Winner: South Africa
Group B
Tunisia
Cape Verde Islands
Sierra Leone
Equatorial Guinea or Madagascar
Our say: Tunisia look the favourites for this pool but face potentially three tough away days that will test their mettle. Cape Verde are a much improved side, while Sierra Leone in Freetown is daunting (they also got a draw in Cairo last year), while Equatorial Guinea are importing players en masse to boost their ranks.
Group Winner: Tunisia
Group C
Cote d’Ivoire
Morocco
Gambia
Chad or Tanzania
Our say: Cote d’Ivoire go into the qualifiers as Africa’s top-ranked team, but will not have been too pleased to see Morocco come out the pot to join them. The Moroccans are a tough nut and will run the Ivorians close in the pool. The others should be also-rans.
Group Winner: Cote d’Ivoire
Group D
Ghana
Zambia
Sudan
Lesotho or Burundi
Our say: This could potentially be a three-horse race between Ghana, Sudan and Zambia. The Sudanese are already running Ghana close in their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification group, while on their day, Zambia are a match for anyone on the continent. This could be this year’s ‘Group of Death’.
Group Winner: Too tight to call
Group E
Burkina Faso
Gabon
Niger
Sao Tome e Principe or Congo
Our say: Another fascinating pool between three seemingly well-matches sides. Burkina Faso have looked fantastic over the last four months, while Gabon have not really been gauged given their automatic qualification for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations as host. Niger could throw a spanner in the works given their remarkable home form in Niamey, though they are a shadow of their usual selves away from home.
Group Winner: Burkina Faso
Group F
Nigeria
Malawi
Seychelles or Kenya
Djibouti or Namibia
Our say: Nigeria could not have asked for a better draw and will be supremely confident of advancing from this pool. It is difficult to see where a challenge to them will come from, such has been the form of the other teams over the last 12 months. Only Malawi have looked anywhere near a competitive side.
Group Winner: Nigeria
Group G
Egypt
Guinea
Zimbabwe
Comoros or Mozambique
Our say: Could Egypt be on course for a first World Cup finals since Italia 90? You would think so, though they are a shadow of the side that won three Nations Cup titles in succession, while Guinea and Zimbabwe are in the ‘useful’ bracket. Even Mozambique can be a challenge in Maputo. Perhaps The Pharaohs will just shade it.
Group Winner: Egypt
Group H
Algeria
Mali
Benin
Eritrea or Rwanda
Our say: Algeria have been in free-fall since the 2010 FIFA World Cup and one wonders if they can pick themselves up for what is a difficult pool. Mali have terrific players at top clubs in Europe, while Guinea are no slouches either. Perhaps the Maliens will have the experience to shade this hard-fought pool.
Group Winner: Mali
Group I
Cameroon
Libya
Guinea-Bissau or Togo
Swaziland or DR Congo
Our say: Cameroon have been fairly dismal in their 2012 Nations Cup qualification campaign but will be pleased with this pool against a dis-heartened Libya and then two sides from the first round of qualifiers. Togo are still reeling from the horror of their bus attack at the 2010 Nations Cup and have struggled to compete since, while DR Congo can be useful on their day. But surely the Indomitable Lions must come through.
Group Winner: Cameroon
Group J
Senegal
Uganda
Angola
Mauritius or Liberia
Our say: Senegal have been one of the form teams in Africa over the past 12 months and there is no reason to suggest that will change. Uganda and Angola are useful (they are meeting in the 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers too), while Liberia away could be a tough road trip, but a short one for the Senegalese.
Group Winner: Senegal