The Race Is On For South Africa 2010

Money, business, takeovers, Arabs, Dubai, wages, resignations, meetings blah blah blah, I think I just died of boredom. What have any of them got to do with football? I am sure most of us here love the game itself, not the circus that surrounds it.

With that in mind, lets take a look at this weekend's upcoming World Cup 2010 Qualifiers from a truly global perspective, and get back to talking about football. The European qualifiers will be reviewed in a separate article.

CONMEBOL

The South American qualification series is already well under way, with 6 of 18 rounds already completed. Paraguay have leaped out of the blocks and lead the way with 13 points from their six matches, and this record will be sorely put to the test as they line up against second placed Argentina on Saturday in Buenos Aires.

Argentina have failed to win in their last three qualification matches, so will be keen to get their campaign back on track, while the Paraguayans were heavily beaten in Bolivia last time out. Expect a tight affair, with a draw a distinct possibility.

Brazil meanwhile are down in fifth place in the standings, Dunga's all-star team failing to get any momentum going. They face a tricky trip to Chile on Sunday. The Chileans are one place above them in fourth spot. Brazil always find a way to qualify, and surely will do again given the talent at their disposal, but I could see Chile springing a surprise here to pile the pressure on.

Elsewhere Ecuador, who have qualified for the last two tournaments (reaching the last 16 in 2006), face a must win match at home to Bolivia. The duo sit in eigth and ninth respectively in the standings, and whoever loses here can probably book their 2010 summer holidays, as they won't be going to South Africa. Ecuador should have enough on their own patch.

In the other games, Colombia face Uruguay, and last placed Peru are at home to improving Venezuela. Colombia have already downed Argentina in Bogota, so should take the honours there, while Venezuela are outside bets for the fifth placed play-off spot and can do their prospects no harm with a win in Lima.

Round Eight kicks off on Tuesday, with Paraguay expected to down Venezuela. On Wednesday, Brazil will surely steel themselves to beat Bolivia at home, and Argentina should win in Peru. Uruguay v Ecuador and Chile v Colombia are tougher calls, and they could well produce some draws to complete this crucial double header of matches.

CAF

If you think the South American campaign is a drawn out affair, then wait until you see the African qualifying system. Already well into its second of three rounds, the campaign has seen footballing minnows Comoros, Somalia, and Guinea-Bissau eliminated in Round 1.

Round 2 sees 48 teams split into 12 groups and playing 6 matches each, with 12 group winners and 8 next best teams making it to the final qualifying round. The next week sees the 5th collection of matches played, and it's all or nothing for some competitors.

In Group 1, Cameroon will ensure qualification to Stage 3 with a win away at Cape Verde. Group 2 sees leaders Guinea facing a tough trip to inflation busting Zimbabwe, with the losers likely to be under serious pressure from Kenya in the final match.

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