July 2001 Sport News Headlines

Thursday, July 19, 2001 - Web posted at 13:08:38 GMT

Egypt, Senegal look to snatch World Cup spot from Morocco

JOHANNESBURG - The identity of another World Cup finalist will be known on Saturday evening at the conclusion of a potentially thrilling three-way race between Egypt, Morocco and Senegal.

The final two qualifiers in African group C will see both Egypt and Senegal attempt to win convincingly away from home and steal away the top place in the group from Morocco, who have been to the last two World Cup finals.

Morocco have already finished their campaign with 15 points, missing out on the opportunity to seal qualification last Saturday by failing to get the point they needed away in Senegal.

The 1-0 win for the home side in Dakar has opened up the opportunity for Egypt and Senegal, who are both three points behind but play their final qualifying games this Saturday.

Egypt are away at bitter rivals Algeria in Annaba, kicking off four hours after the start of Senegal's match at winless Namibia.

Both contenders must win, otherwise Morocco will clinch an African record-equalling fifth World Cup finals appearance.

Senegal trail Egypt on goal difference and need a convincing victory against Namibia in Windhoek.

Their hopes will be buoyed by the return from suspension of Khalilou Fadiga, the Auxerre striker, and the fact that Namibia have conceded 14 goals in their last three matches, six of them at home."

"We will double our efforts and I'm sure we'll win in Namibia," said striker El Hadji Ousseynou Diouf, whose seven goals in the qualifiers have been the backbone of Senegal's charge at a first-ever World Cup finals appearance.

"But we know we have to win by a large margin."

Egypt, however, have the advantage as they will kick off their match in Annaba knowing the target they must achieve to qualify but will be mindful of the fact that they have never won in Algeria in nine previous visits.

Egypt did get five goals past Algeria in Cairo earlier this year but can expect few favours on Saturday given the history of animosity between the two Arabic-speaking nations.

Egypt won a controversial World Cup qualifier against Algeria to qualify for the 1990 finals in Italy - a match that saw fighting between the two teams and criminal charges brought against Algerian star Lakhdar Belloumi for an alleged attack on an Egyptian after the game.

Egypt attempted a snub by withdrawing from the 1990 African Nations Cup finals, hosted by Algeria five months after the World Cup qualifier in Cairo, but after much persuasion sent a B team to play in the tournament.

The Egyptians, who were drawn in the same opening round group as Algeria and lost to their hosts, were attacked by home fans in retaliation.

Relations between the two countries have remained antagonistic ever since, adding further spice to Saturday's encounter.

The group winner on Saturday will join Cameroon, South Africa and Tunisia in the 2002 World Cup finals.

The last of the five African representatives for Japan and South Korea will be determined on July 28 when Nigeria play Ghana in Lagos.

Nigeria need to win that match to finish ahead of Liberia in group B.

- Nampa-Reuters

•  Boxing titles at stake
•   Pirates host Arrows
•  Boks overcoming poor displays
•  Kangaroos favourites
•  Sports Notices Cheetahs hold race
•  India takes one-dayer
•  Suzuki Night of Jumps postponed
•  Omusati, AN up in arms
•  White to work with Saracens
•  Boks keen to start Lion-taming
•  Kangueehi confident of retaining post
•  Player management
•  SA in solid start
•  Gibbs for Glamorgan