Heavyweights in danger of missing African Cup

JOHANNESBURG:

Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia are all in danger of missing out on the 2012 African Cup of Nations heading into this weekend's final round of qualifiers.

The three former African champions face tense deciding matches, desperate to avoid the humiliating eliminations experienced by holders and seven-time winners Egypt and four-time champions Cameroon.

Even Ghana, the 2010 World Cup quarter-finalists and another four-time Cup of Nations winner, are not yet certain of making the trip to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea next year.

In the climax to a 13-month qualifying tournament, lowly football nations like Guinea, Niger, Malawi, Central African Republic and Cape Verde might squeeze out more of Africa's heavyweights in the battle for the 10 remaining places at the African championship.

Niger, who lead South Africa in Group G, Central African Republic and Cape Verde could all qualify for their first major tournament after an unpredictable run of results where top teams - with the exception of Ivory Coast - have failed to dominate.

Botswana, who will make their Cup of Nations debut, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Burkina Faso have already sealed their places at the 16-team event alongside co-hosts Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Seven more group winners, a second automatic qualifier in the five-team Group K and the two best second-placed teams will be decided in the last round of matches.

Disastrous record

Three-time defending champions Egypt missed out after a disastrous record of five games without a win, while Cameroon's hopes of clinching one of the spots for second-placed teams were ended by the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) ruling that results against a group's bottom team will not count for second-place qualifiers. CAF's decision was because Group F was reduced to three teams after the withdrawal of Mauritania.

Tomorrow, Nigeria's Super Eagles host Group B leaders Guinea in Abuja, needing to win 1-0 or by two clear goals to close the three-point gap and edge out the Guineans as group winners on goal difference.

South Africa have to beat Sierra Leone at home and hope surprise leaders Niger do not win in Egypt, with Bafana Bafana relying on leading striker Katlego Mphela, at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, in the absence of injured captain and playmaker Steven Pienaar.