Who stands a better chance to qualify for Gabon 2017?

With over 25 games to be played in the continental Africa Cup of Nations Championship this weekend, some teams have a better chance to qualify for the finals in Gabon than others. The Afcon 2017 will also double as qualifier for the FIFA Confederation Cup Russia 2017. African giants Nigeria were knocked out of the competition when Chad withdrew, leaving the Super Eagles too far behind Egypt in a three-team Group G along with East Africans Tanzania. Indeed, the Pharaohs have a better chance to qualify in this pool if they can earn a point from their match against Tanzania today. On the other hand, South Africa have their backs to the wall ahead of their away clash against Gambia in Group M. They are third in their group with just three points from four matches which means that the 1996 champions need a win in Bakau to keep their hopes alive of catching Cameroon and Mauritania. Sudan, meanwhile, are no longer the masters of their own destiny in Group I after losing the tiebreaker to Cote d’Ivoire, and the 1970 champions need to win away to Sierra Leone and then hope that the Elephants fail to beat the Leone Stars come in September. In Group A, Tunisia, Liberia and Togo are all involved in a tight battle for the one automatic qualifying spot. A resurgent Liberia, who top the group with nine points, are at home to Togo on Sunday. It will be the history making for head coach James Debbah who is away that they have a better chance of qualifying for the first time since 2002. The other game sees North Africans Tunisia traveling to Djibouti. The other three nations will take aim to ensure a place at the finals without needing other results to go their way. In Group H, the Black Stars of Ghana can book their ticket for Gabon with a win in Mauritius. Head coach Avram Grant has summed a whole array of European based players including the Ayew brothers, Jordan and Andre, as well as newly crowned English Premier League champions star Jeffrey Schlupp. The West Africans have a four point cushion ahead of second-placed Rwanda and Mauritius. Rwanda Head coach Jonathan McKinstry acknowledged today tie against bottom side Mozambique is a must win for his side and had called on supporters to rally behind the team at Amahoro National Stadium. The Desert Foxes of Algeria, who remain top of the continent according to the latest rankings released by FIFA on Thursday, are five points clear, ahead of the their game in the Seychelles, and a win would give them clearance to Gabon. A draw will also be enough if Ethiopia fail to beat Lesotho. The Lions of Teranga of Senegal who beat Rwanda 2-0 last Saturday in an international friendly in Kiigali, are facing the Swallows of Burundi. Former Senegal international and current head coach Aliou Cisse, who has been tasked to take Les Lions de la Teranga back to the top of African football, has his team just a point away from qualification. “Our preparations in Kigali have been good, looking at the result from the warm-up match,” said Cisse. “I am happy with the way the team is developing. Our main goal is to win in Burundi, and I have told the players not to take the game lightly because Burundi are a strong side,” added Cisse, who will be handling his first competitive game as head coach. Senegal lead Group K with 12 points while Burundi have six, with Namibia and Niger in third and fourth, respectively. In their Group L, Zimbabwe can close in on a third finals appearance with a win at home against Malawi. The Warriors are three points better than Guinea and Swaziland, and three points in Harare will set them up nicely for a final round trip to Guinea. The Warriors go into this game with buoyancy and poise after defeating Uganda 2-0 in a friendly warm-up last Tuesday with both goals coming off the head of towering Chicken Inn defender Teenage Hadebe. Burkina Faso and Uganda are both on seven points in Group D, one point ahead of Botswana. Uganda travel to Botswana while the Burkinabe are away to Comoros. Uganda Cranes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has admitted Zimbabwe performed better than his side during their friendly and hinted on possible qualification for the Warriors. In Group E, Guinea-Bissau face Zambia’s Chipolopolo. The African wild dogs have a point lead from the Chipolopolo and Congo, who face Harambee Stars of Kenya in Nairobi. A win by Guinea-Bissau will move them to ten points. Group B leaders DR Congo are away in Madagascar and the Central African Republic at home to Angola in the same group. Victory for the CHAN 2016 champions will see DR Congo book an automatic ticket to Gabon 2017. Mali defend their lead in Group C in South Sudan, while Benin are hosting Equatorial Guinea. Mali needs one win to qualify. Besides hosts Gabon, only Morocco and Algeria have qualified for the finals. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Who stands a better chance to qualify for Gabon 2017?