In Pursuit of World Cup Places: Super Eagles, 15 Others, Will Know Their Fate on Weekend

The reigning African champions, the Super Eagles, South Africa, Ghana are among 16 nations who will battle for seven play-off places this weekend at the show down of the African World Cup qualifying in groups.

The other countries include Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Congo-Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Gabon, Libya, Malawi, Senegal, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia.

The top two teams in the table square off in five groups, and in two others there are three sides battling to join already-qualified Algeria, Egypt and Ivory Coast.

The draw is scheduled for September 16, in Cairo. In accordance with its results, five home-and-away ties will be created with the five winners representing Africa at the 2014 Mundial.

The Nigerian team has its destiny in own hands: a home draw against Malawi in Calabar will be enough to move to the final round, where just 180 minutes and the necessity to win will separate the Eagles from fifth World Cup appearance.

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However, Coach Stephen Keshi has branded Malawi

“It is great to have some stars for the first time since winning the Africa Cup last February and we must hit the ground running,” stressed 1994 World Cup captain Keshi.