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2015 Nations Cup: Algeria closes in on Morocco finals

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Algeria will qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations if they beat Malawi on Wednesday, while wins for Cameroon and South Africa will put them within touching distance.

The Desert Foxes have shown why they are Africa's top-ranked side by winning all three of their Group B games, two of which were away from home.

They are expected to capitalise on their home advantage against Malawi to book their place at next year's finals in Morocco with two qualifiers to spare.

All Wednesday's games are the reverse fixtures from last weekend - the second of the double-header ties that pitted two group teams against each other home and away in the space of a few days.

In Blantyre on Saturday, Algeria's slick passing had Malawi chasing shadows at times and it is hard to think they will not repeat or better the 2-0 victory they achieved then.

Once again Sofiane Feghouli and Yacine Brahimi (both pictured, top)will look to run things from midfield.

Wednesday's 

"The first time I coached South Africa against Congo in 1992 we scored once, the second time we scored twice last weekend, so I am hoping for three come Wednesday," said Mashaba.

Strikers Bongani Ndulula and Tokelo Rantie struck the goals that conquered Congo in Pointe-Noire and they are likely to start in a side that has not conceded a goal in three qualifiers.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Borussia Dortmund strike Aubameyang is Gabon's big weapon up front

Like Nigeria, record seven-time title-holders Egypt and shock 2012 winners Zambia need home victories to keep alive hopes of qualifying.

However, a 2-0 victory in Gaborone suggests Egypt can defeat Botswanaagain and put pressure on Senegal and Tunisia in Group G.

Botswana will be without India-based midfielder Ofentse Nato, who has retired from international football at the age of 25 after accusations of coming to camp drunk.

For Senegal or Tunisia to secure a place, one of them must win in Monastir and hope Botswana stun Egypt.

Having being thwarted in Dakar by a packed Tunisian defence, Senegal coach Alain Giresse will hope attackers Papiss Cisse, Sadio Mane and Dame Ndoye can benefit from greater space.

Zambia should end a three-match winless run having held Niger goalless in their Group F match in Niamey.

One disruption to Chipolopolo's preparations has been the expulsion from the squad of captain Chris Katongo , who has fallen out with the coaching staff.

In Group C, Gabon visit Burkina Faso with Borussia Dortmund goal-poacher Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in top form, and a win coupled with a draw between Angola and Lesotho would qualify the Panthers.

Aubameyang was on target in his side's 2-0 win over the Burkinabe at the weekend and will fancy his chances of adding another goal to his tally.

Uganda must bounce back after Togo beat them 2-0 in Kampala to inflict on them their first home defeat in 10 years.

That result - along with Ghana's 1-1 draw away to Guinea - means Group E is very tight.

Togo could move from bottom to second with a win over the Cranes, though they will again be without first-choice goalkeeper Kossi Agassa who has returned to his French club Stade Riems for treatment for an injury that forced him to miss the Hawks' win on Saturday.

Ghana have home advantage against Guinea and will be motivated to secure all three points and take control of the group.

The Black Stars are currently being coached by Maxwell Konadu, who is in temporary charge while a new permanent boss is sought.

Ghana's football Association announced on Monday that German Bernd Schuster had replaced Dutchman Patrick Kluivert on a five-man shortlist for the job.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.