South Africa's chances of qualifying for the 2008 African Cup of Nations finals will suffer a severe setback if they lose in Zambia on Sunday. The match in Lusaka is one of 22 taking place this weekend in the second round of qualifiers, with only the 12 group winners advancing to the finals in Ghana, plus the three best second-place teams. Former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who takes charge of South Africa early next year, will accompany the side to Zambia.
The visitors go into Sunday's game without striker Benni McCarthy, who rejected a plea to play from caretaker coach McCarthy, who has scored five goals for English Premier League Blackburn Rovers since his pre-season move from Portugal, is refusing to play for his country after media criticism of his display at the Nations Cup finals in Egypt earlier this year. Zuma ended a six-month injury absence when he played for the German team at the weekend, and scored on his return. "It will be important to ensure we win for the sake of the crowd," said midfielder Andre.
Tunisia, who were held to a 0-0 draw by Mauritius in their opening game, will be without injured Brazilian-born striker Francileudo dos Santos for Saturday's Group Four meeting with Sudan in Tunis. The other Group Four game is an all island affair as the Seychelles host Mauritius, who have included three France-based teenagers in their squad. Coach Sarjoo Gowreesungkur has called up Arassen Ragaven, who plays for first division Lorient, Daniel Sudanum and Johann Khodabaccus who are both with lower divsion clubs in France.
Ivory Coast, under new German coach Uli Stielike, entertain Gabon in Group One on Sunday. Stielike has already made an impact by omitting Paris St Germain striker Bonaventure Kalou, a former captain of the Cameroon, without injured striker Samuel Eto'o, host Equatorial Guinea in Group Five while Nigeria travel to Lesotho "For a country like ours to play against the big guns is really motivating," said Lesotho coach Motheo Mohapi. "We are aiming to pull off a shock.
" Lesotho's chances of causing an upset have been boosted by the withdrawal from the Super Ealges squad of the injured striker Osaze Odemwingie, John Utaka who cannot travel because of a passport problem and Jay-Jay Okocha, who was not given enough notice to join the team.
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