African teams head into final straight 

The final phase of qualifiers for African countries vying for spots at the World Cup in Russia next year comes off this weekend. 

The Black Stars play Egypt on Sunday with nothing at stake. 

Coach Kwesi Appiah is expected to make a number of changes with Egypt having secured qualification from the group.  

In the pool’s other match, Uganda, who take on Congo in Brazzaville, will be aiming to end their eye-opening campaign on a high note.

Elsewhere, Tunisia and Senegal are on the brink of qualification as Cote d'ivoire and Morocco play each other. A draw at home to Libya, who have already been eliminated, will be sufficient for Les Aigles de Carthage, and if the spoils are shared in the other match between Congo DR and Guinea, even a defeat would see them reach the promised land.

In the other game in the group, Gabon will host Mali in Franceville, where the two teams will be playing for nothing but pride.

Senegal could qualify tomorrow if they win away against South Africa to guarantee the top spot in Group D. 

The match is a replay of last year's 2-1 win for South Africa at the same venue, which FIFA ordered a repeat after it found out that the result was manipulated by Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey, who has since been banned for life. 

The decision to replay the match between South Africa and Senegal reignited the battle for qualification in Group D; the door to Russia 2018 consequently remains open for Burkina Faso and Cape Verde. 

However, should the Lions of Teranga emerge victorious from Friday’s match in Polokwane, the suspense will fade away ahead of the final set of fixtures, as no other team will be able to equal their points total. 

A draw may be enough for Senegal, in the event that Burkina Faso and Cape Verde also draw on Tuesday. And even if South Africa pick up three points in the replayed encounter, Senegal, who welcome back star winger Sadio Mane from injury, will have a second chance to defeat the same opponents in Dakar four days later.

Nigeria play Algeria today with qualification already secured for the Super Eagles. 

The Super Eagles head for Algeria with all of their usual starters, as well as a new goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, who has recently broken into the first team at Deportivo La Coruna. 

As for Les Fennecs, who recently appointed national icon Rabah Madjer as coach, their eyes will now turn to the 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. 

Cameroon and Zambia, who lock horns in Ndola, are also in the same boat.

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