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African World Cup Qualifying Preview: Group C [Fri Sep 2nd, 2005]
Dubbed as the group of death, the race is far from being complete in Group C with the likes of Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Egypt, even though there are only two more matches remaining. Ivory Coast top this group with nineteen points, trailed by Cameroon with seventeen points and Egypt with thirteen points.
These top three teams have all qualified for the African Nations Cup in 2006, but even if Egypt cannot qualify for the World Cup finals because their chances are slim, they could cause a great upset for Cameroon when both sides meet in the final rounds in October.
One of the toughest qualifying matches remaining in this group awaits when the Elephants of Ivory Coast host the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a crucial World Cup qualifier.
Ivory Coast are seeking a debut in the World Cup finals, while Cameroon are hoping to make a fifth consecutive appearance in the tournament. Will the Lions prove that they are indeed Kings of the jungle, or will they denounce their throne to the Elephants? The breathtaking drama is set to unfold when both sides lock horns in Abidjan on September 2.
Even though they will have home advantage, with thousands of optimistic fans expected to spur them on in their quest for qualification, Ivory Coast will also be playing under intense pressure to produce positive results or literally, a win, in order to prevent these home fans from going on a possible rampage should they lose this important match.
Ivory Coast lost an international friendly match 1-nil against France in Montpellier in August as they prepared for the World Cup qualifier against Cameroon but they are expected to have regained a high team spirit to face their opponents.
Le Mans midfielder Romaric Ndri, who played in the friendly match against France, is not included in coach Henri Michel’s squad for the qualifier. Aruna Dindane and Didier Drogba are expected to marshal the striking force.
The fact that Cameroon trail Ivory Coast by two points and at such a crucial stage, may have added a lot of pressure on the Indomitable Lions as well. They have played in the last four World Cup finals and have the experience to play in the qualifiers, which they might take advantage of and possibly overturn the points at the top of the group.
The Indomitable Lions should not be underrated at all and if ever hopes of qualifying have faded on the part of their fans, it is up to the players to remind them they are still Kings of the Jungle and restore hopes by winning in Abidjan.
If they lose this encounter, they know that they will not be booking their tickets to Germany. African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto’o, who has been in good form for his club Barcelona, would be a threat to the opposing defence while veteran defender Raymond Kalla might also be included in the squad by Portuguese coach Artur Jorge.
Egypt’s chance of qualifying for the World Cup finals has faded. They face bottom team Benin with two points on September 2. Only the top team in each group qualify for the World Cup finals, while the top three will play in the African Nations Cup finals to be hosted by Egypt in 2006.
Egypt, the first African nation to join FIFA in 1923, currently top the African Rankings and rank 26 in the world. They lost a friendly match 2-0 to Portugal in August in preparation for the qualifying match against Benin.
Libya will play host to Sudan on September 2. Libya have eleven points in fourth position in the group and lost 1-0 to Nigeria in an international friendly match on August 17 as both sides prepared for their qualifying matches.
Sudan have five points in fifth position in the group and beat Benin 1-0 in a World Cup qualifying match that was played on August 17. The final qualifying matches would be played in October.
Ibrahim Dabo
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