There are many situations to watch in this weekend's 20 contests - two in each of the ten groups - and over the next 15 months, as ten teams earn the right to advance to the next round.
The big game
Cameroon - Congo DR, 2 June, Stade Omnisports Ahmadou-Ahidjo, Yaounde,
The Indomitable Lions are Africa's most successful team in qualifying, reaching the FIFA World Cup finals six times in the last 30 years. However, supporters are worried by the tough draw into Group I with Congo DR, Libya and Togo, the long-term suspension of captain Samuel Eto'o and the failure to reach this year's CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals. New coach, Denis Lavagne has suffered one defeat in six games using a young side and has been pleading for patience from what is sure to be a demanding crowd on Saturday. These two teams have an even record in three previous qualifying campaigns against each other, and in the corresponding fixture less than two years ago in the AFCON, the visitors now led by veteran Claude Le Roy - claimed a fairly comfortable 1-1 draw.
Elsewhere
