The usual suspects are beginning to peel away as the World Cup qualifiers reached the oil and water separation point over the latest FIFA week.
The back-to-back fixtures have given the clearest hint of which nations could be on the plane destined for the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada next year June.
Of the 14 COSAFA members, only South Africa’s Bafana Bafana has raised a firm hand and are now favourites to emerge as Group C winners, in what was regarded as a tough group when the draw was made.
South Africa are in the same group as perennial rivals, Nigeria and Zimbabwe but find themselves at the apex enjoying an imposing five-point lead with four games before curtains on the campaign. Zimbabwe are the cellar dwellers in a group that has Lesotho and Benin, with their hopes of even a play-off spot almost up in smoke.
In Group A, Egypt look destined to punch their ticket to next year’s edition as they also have a five-point buffer ahead of Burkina Faso.
Democratic Republic of Congo are the surprise Group B leaders, with a point advantage over Senegal as the East Africans have put aside concerns of fighting in the eastern parts of the country. DRC were the first sub-Saharan team to qualify for the World Cup in 1974, but will be wary of the threat posed by constant qualifiers in the Lions of Teranga.
Cape Verde lead Group D in another twist as the Islanders attempt to qualify for the global showpiece for the first time. Zebras beat Cape Verde home and away in the recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Morocco, who became the first African country at the last World Cup to reach the semi-finals, are all but assured of another appearance as they lead Group E with 14 points, whilst the nearest pursuers, Niger are only at six.
In Group F, Ivory Coast and Gabon are neck-to-neck with the Elephants just ahead by one point. Botswana is in Group G where Algeria are the runaway leaders and have all but settled the first place contest as they enjoy a three-point cushion over Mozambique. The Zebras climbed to nine points with victory over Somalia on Tuesday, which will keep their hopes for a play-off spot alive. Group winners will automatically qualify for the World Cup whilst four best-placed runners-up will be involved in a round robin contest.
The winner will then proceed to an inter-continental play-off to determine the single ticket to the World Cup.
Tunisia is running away with the lead in Group H, ahead of Botswana’s neighbours, Namibia, who are in contention for a play-off spot.
Ghana, after missing out on qualification for this year’s AFCON finals, are well placed to make it to the World Cup as they lead Group I ahead of surprise package Comoros.
In the runners-up table, Gabon, Cameroon, Senegal, and Namibia are in pole position at the moment to proceed to the round robin play-off.
Match day seven and eight of the qualifiers return in September, when some teams are expected to confirm their spaces at next year’s tournament.
