Algeria, Nigeria and Cameroon have represented the continent at the last two finals and going into the draw for the third round all three of them would have fancied their chances of making it three in a row. Fate, however, dealt them a heavy blow as the three powerhouses of African football – who between them can look back at 16 appearances at the World Cup finals – were drawn together in Group B.

This time around it is Nigeria and Algeria who do battle as the North Africans face the Super Eagles on Saturday in Uyo.Nigeria go into the game on the back of a run of four victories Algeria drew their first match at home against Cameroon, and will be worried about a defeat leaving them five points off the pace of the Super Eagles with just four matches to play.

If Nigeria against Algeria is the standout match of the round, Senegal's trip to South Africa in Group D must rank as a close second. The west Africans won their opening match 2-0 against Cape Verde, while Bafana played to a 1-1 draw in Burkina Faso. Having missed out on qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations, Shakes Mashaba is under pressure to take the team to Russia, even though Senegal are considered the group favourites.

Another stand-out match is taking place in Marrakech, where Herve Renard's Moroccan team comes up against Côte d'Ivoire, with whom the French coach won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015. The Elephants won their opening Group C game against Mali, while Morocco played to a goalless draw in Gabon.

North African rivals Libya and Tunisia kick off proceedings in a match moved to Algiers on Friday night in Group A, with Guinea hosting Congo DR two days later.

In Yaounde, Cameroon will take on Zambia hoping to build on their point from Yaounde, Guinea take on Congo DR, Cape Verde play Burkina Faso and there will be a tasty West African clash in Bamako when Mali take on Gabon

Nigeria and Algeria will do battle as the North Africans face the Super Eagles on Saturday in Uyo. Elsewhere Senegal's trip to South Africa in Group D must rank as the close second mouth watering clash as The west Africans won their opening match 2-0 against Cape Verde, while Bafana played to a 1-1 draw in Burkina Faso.

In Marrakech,  Herve Renard's Moroccan team comes up against Côte d'Ivoire, with whom the French coach won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015.

The Elephants won their opening Group C game against Mali, while Morocco played to a goalless draw in Gabon. North African rivals Libya and Tunisia kick off proceedings in a match moved to Algiers on Friday night in Group A, with Guinea hosting Congo DR two days later. 

In Yaounde, Cameroon will take on Zambia hoping to build on their point from Yaounde, Guinea take on Congo DR, Cape Verde play Burkina Faso and there will be a tasty West African clash in Bamako when Mali take on Gabon.