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Thursday, July 12, 2001 - Web posted at 11:06:36 GMT Morocco out to match Cameroon's World Cup record JOHANNESBURG - Morocco complete their World Cup qualifying campaign on Saturday, needing one point from their game against Senegal to become the third African side to book their place in next year's finals. The north Africans are seeking to match Cameroon's African record fifth qualification for the World Cup finals, which they achieved earlier this month. Cameroon and South Africa became the first two countries to qualify for next year's tournament when they finished top of their respective groups on July 1. They joined co-hosts Japan and South Korea, and world champions France, who qualified automatically for the finals. Morocco face a difficult task to get the draw they need against Senegal in Dakar. Senegal have credible World Cup dreams of their own and need a win to keep alive their chances of topping African qualifying group C. There is also a chance for Nigeria, who are top of group B, and Tunisia, top of group D, to secure qualification this weekend but they would have to rely on their closest rivals stumbling in their respective matches. Hopes alive Morocco take an experienced squad to Dakar, including captain Noureddine Naybet, full-back Abdelkrim El Hadrioui and former African Footballer of the Year Mustapha Hadji, who all played at the last two World Cup finals. Senegal believe they can win the match and keep alive their hopes of going to Japan and South Korea next year. "Morocco are a great team with winning potential but we are ready for them and prepared to triumph," said Senegal's France-born coach Bruno Metsu." "We have prepared technically and also mentally and are ready for our destiny." "Morocco have a six point lead over Senegal and Egypt, who are tied in second place. But Senegal and Egypt have both played one match less. Egypt, who still have hopes of their own, host Namibia in Alexandria tomorrow, setting out to improve their goal difference in case of a three-way tie at the top of the standings at the end of the weekend. Egypt scored seven goals against Namibia in a 1998 World Cup qualifier played in Cairo. Bitter rivalsShould both Egypt and Senegal win tomorrow and Saturday respectively, then the group will be decided on the final day of the qualifiers at the end of the month when Senegal travel to Namibia and Egypt conclude their campaign away at bitter regional rivals Algeria. A list of variables can also determine the outcome in groups B and D on Sunday. Group B leaders Nigeria do not play this weekend but if both Liberia and Ghana fail to win their respective games, then the Super Eagles will have qualified for a third successive World Cup finals appearance. Former World Footballer of the George Weah has been persuaded to return to Liberia's team for their away trip to Sierra Leone on Saturday after angrily announcing his retirement from international soccer less than a fortnight ago when Liberia lost at home to Ghana and an angry crowd attempted to attack his Monrovia home. Ghana play against Sudan in Accra on Sunday, seeking to keep themselves in contention for a miraculous comeback in the qualifiers. Tunisia will finish top of group D if they beat the Democratic Republic of Congo away in Kinshasa on Sunday and the second placed Ivory Coast fail to win in neighbouring Congo-Brazzaville the same day. Tunisia have a three point lead but Sunday's game is their final match in the group. The Ivorians still have to play DR Congo at home on July 29. Both Tunisia and the Ivory Coast are missing key strikers this weekend with Adel Sellimi out of the Tunisian side and Bonaventure Kalou unavailable for the Ivorians. - Nampa-Reuters |
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