Uganda, Tanzania among teams out to seal Afcon berths

JOHANNESBURG

Uganda and Guinea are among 15 countries who could secure places at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament this weekend provided they do not lose at home.

Uganda share with South Africa the record of not having conceded a goal in 2019 qualifying and goalkeeper Denis Onyango rates among the best in Africa.

The ‘Cranes’ will be confident of securing at least a point against Cape Verde in Kampala having beaten the tiny island state 1-0 away with Geoffrey Sserunkuma snatching a late goal.

TANZANIA ON THE VERGE

If Uganda triumph, Tanzania, whose only previous Cup of Nations appearance was 38 years ago, can accompany them from Group K by collecting maximum points in Lesotho.

Mauritania, a largely desert state that have never qualified for the tournament, is among teams that could also join the 24 finalists in Cameroon.

A team guided by French coach Corentin Martins will be assured of a top-two finish in Group I and qualification if they defeat bottom side Botswana in Nouakchott.

Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Gabon or Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau or Namibia, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe could also qualify.

Cameroon are automatic participants as hosts of the June 15-July 13 finals and Madagascar, for the first time, Egypt, Senegal and Tunisia secured slots during match day four.

South Africa need a win and Nigeria a draw from a Group E clash of former champions in Soweto to be certain of qualification after both missed the 2017 tournament.

Both countries will secure finals places irrespective of the result if Libya lose in the Seychelles.

Egypt against Tunisia in Alexandria is another high-profile fixture, even though they have already booked finals places from Group J.

Some of the stars from Caf Champions League winners Esperance of Tunisia and runners-up Al Ahly of Egypt have been selected as the Pharaohs seek revenge for a 1-0 loss in Rades.

All kick-off times Kenyan time:

Group E - Saturday

South Africa v Nigeria, 4pm

Group F - Sunday

Ethiopia v Ghana, 4pm

Kenya v Sierra Leone - cancelled because Sierra Leone are suspended by Fifa for government interference

Group H - Sunday

Guinea v Ivory Coast, 8pm

Rwanda v Central African Republic, 4:30pm

Group J - Friday

Egypt v Tunisia, 7pm

Group L - Saturday

Uganda v Cape Verde, 4pm

Sunday

Lesotho v Tanzania, 5pm

*Note: group winners and runners-up qualify for the 2019 Cup of Nations except for Group B, where hosts Cameroon and the highest placed of the other three teams go to the finals*