Central African Rep. – Tanzania (June 4)
These two African minnows find themselves surprisingly first and second in a Group that includes Morocco and Algeria, albeit on goal difference, as all four sides have four points after three games.
While the north African derby will go a long way to determining the major contender from the second half of the group, this match will also separate the two frontrunners, and will allow the victor between Morocco and Algeria to see who they should be gunning for in the two matches that follow.
Zambia - Mozambique (June 4)
Group C is led by the unlikely Libyans after a fantastic start to the campaign that included two wins and a draw. But the situation at the top is a tight one, with Zambia following closely behind seven point Libya, on six points, while Mozambique have four.
A win for the Mambas will allow them to move above the Chipolopolo into first or second spot, depending on the result of Comoros-Libya, but if Zambia snatches all three points at home, Mozambique will have an uphill battle on their hands in the final two games to come.
Botswana – Malawi (June 4)
This top of the table clash has a great deal more meaning for Malawi than it does for Botswana. Having already qualified as the first team from the group stages, the Zebras have little to play for in terms of qualification, but in front of their home fans, they will want to continue their fine run of form and build ahead of their first ever African Nations Cup next year.
The Flames are second in the group with nine points, and while they will not catch Botswana, their aim will be to secure their current spot and stay above Tunisia, only two points adrift of them. If they finish as the second placed team with the most points out of all the groups they will qualify for the 2012 Afcon.
Sierra Leone – Niger (June 4)
Niger’s run of form has allowed for Group G to become very interesting, with Egypt rooted to the bottom of the table while South Africa head the standings. The Nigeriens are on six points, one behind Bafana, and they know that with three games left to play, it is wide open for them to make a stab at qualification.
The door is not yet closed for Sierra Leone (two points) or Egypt (one point), so Niger will need to get an away win against their opponents this weekend to ensure they keep the pressure on South Africa and the trailing teams. The Mena have been very impressive recently, and they might just find a win up their sleeve.
Burundi – Rwanda (June 4)
An east African battle ensues in Group H, with Cote D’Ivoire having cemented their spot at the summit of the standings. This leaves Burundi and Rwanda with the scraps, and on one and three points respectively, they will be fighting for pride and a second spot (Benin is on four) rather than qualification.
The Wasps will be confident that they can get a positive result away from home, but the hosts will not be pushovers, and they will consider this match the opportunity to secure at least a point, if not more.
Liberia - Cape Verde Islands (June 4)
Group A is still up in the air with regards to qualification, and Cape Verde have earned themselves top spot, to the surprise of many who thought they would be the whipping boys of the section. The islanders are on seven points, with two wins and a draw allowing them to prevail over the others in the standings, but Mali is close behind on six, and they will be itching to take top spot from Cape Verde.
An away game against bottom placed Liberia will go a long way to determining the shape of the group, and the islanders will be confident with an unbeaten run allowing them to puff their chests out with pride. Liberia will be hoping they can stop the group leaders in their tracks.
Uganda - Guinea Bissau (June 4)
Uganda finds themselves at the top of Group J, and this weekend they will come up against Guinea Bissau at home. Currently Uganda heads the standings with seven points. Kenya are second with four points while, Angola and Guinea Bissau are placed third and fourth with three points each.
A trip to Uganda is likely to prove a tough task for the visitors, and Uganda will be expecting to take the three points against their opponents, who on paper seem to be inferior. Football does not always work like that, however, and the Cranes will need to be aware that Guinea Bissau has nothing to lose, making them a dangerous outfit to face. A win for Uganda would solidify their status at the top of the group and bring them one step closer to the 2012 African Nations Cup.
Swaziland – Sudan (June 5)
Group I is a neutral supporter’s dream with regards to the battle at the top of the standings between Ghana and Sudan, both on seven points after three games. While Ghana will take on Congo, Swaziland play hosts to the north Africans in what is likely to be three points for Sudan.
The landlocked southern African nation is yet to get off the mark and earn a point in the group, and it is unlikely that they will pick this moment to get a win. Sudan could keep the pressure on the Black Stars of Ghana with a win in this match, and force things to go the distance with two matches still to come.
Mauritius - DR Congo (June 5)
DR Congo are currently second in their pool, five points behind runaway leaders Senegal, who play Cameroon. The focus will certainly be in the other match, but Congo will expect to win this encounter and can then benefit from the right result in the other game.
Mauritius will be at home, but DR Congo is a team made up of many TP Mazembe stalwarts, who have shown their quality on the continental stage many times. Their experience will prove too much for the islanders, who will probably practice damage control in the match once DR Congo begin to dominate.
Namibia - Burkina Faso (June 5)
Burkina Faso lead this three-team group, following the withdrawal of Mauritania from the qualification, but six points divide bottom placed Namibia from their more illustrious rivals at the top. Gambia is on three points, and can catch Burkina Faso on six, unless they put further distance between them with a win in Namibia.
The southern Africans are playing for pride, and will hope to at least please their home crowd with a good showing against Burkina Faso.
Guinea – Madagascar (June 5)
Guinea currently find themselves top of Group B on seven points, one ahead of Nigeria. The leaders will be looking ahead to this weekend’s clash with great anticipation, as a win against bottom of the table Madagascar would further consolidate their spot at the summit of the standings with two games to go.
At home Guinea is expected to make light work of the islanders, but Madagascar will have nothing to lose, and that is always a dangerous quality in football. This match will be one for Super Eagles fans to keep a close eye on.
Zimbabwe – Mali (June 5)
Group A is still a closed book when considering who will qualify, and Cape Verde has earned themselves top spot, to the surprise of many. The islanders are on seven points, with two wins and a draw, but Mali is close behind on six, and they can still manage a revival and overtake Cape Verde.
Mali travel away to Zimbabwe, who have been disappointing in the qualification campaign, having played three matches with only two points to show for it. Zimbabwe can still make a late fight-back for an Afcon spot, but it will have to begin with a confident win over Mali this weekend.
Comoros – Libya (June 5)
Group C is led by Libyan on seven points, after a fantastic start to the campaign that included two wins and a draw. The north Africans now travel to take on the minnows of the Comoros, and they will be expected to keep their top spot in the group with a win in this match. Zambia is close behind them on six points.
The home side is firmly rooted to the bottom of the table, and will be mathematically unable to earn top spot in this group if they lose to Libya, with only two games remaining after this weekend’s clashes.
