Preview of African Confederation World Cup Qualifying

(Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Propelled by Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and captain Stephen Appiah, the Black Stars were the only African side to make the second round at Germany 2006. Yet to presuppose that the four-time African champions will breeze through qualifying is to underestimate the challenge presented by Mali, Benin and Sudan.

In fact, Mali's Eagles present a fearsome obstacle, not simply because they are guided by the pragmatic Keshi but because Real Madrid's Mahamadou Diarra, Sevilla's Frederic Kanoute and Barcelona's Seydou Keita fill their ranks.

With African World Cup qualifying often throwing up a surprise first-time finalist, could Group D provide the shocker in this pack? Either way, the last-day clash between Ghana and Mali looks to be decisive.

Finally to Group E where one of the form teams should top the pile. African Cup of Nations runners-up in 2006 and semifinalists last year, the Ivory Coast's glittering array of talent—including the likes of Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure and Abdulkader Keita—is marshalled by Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic.

Maiden World Cup performers in Germany, the Ivorians suffered narrow defeats to both Argentina and Holland, glorious failures they would love to put right next year. Unbeaten in qualifying, the Elephants' quality should see off Malawi, as well as Burkina Faso and Guinea.   

Malawi's Flames, who only made the final round thanks to a dramatic late victory over DR Congo, will focus on Angola 2010 while the Burkinabe and Guineans will both believe they can cause an upset—the Stallions after being unbeaten so far, while Guinea must hope highly-talented winger Pascal Feindouno is at his best.

While the six rounds of matches are played out, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will be an acutely-interested observer. Africa's 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign was marred by violence.

Unfortunately, only an incurable optimist would expect a trouble-free campaign as tensions rise and the prospect of appearing at South Africa 2010 looms tantalizingly close for some fans.

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