The road to Morocco 2015 continues this weekend across Africa as 23 nations search for a slot in the next stage. Uganda hosts Madagascar seeking to overturn a 2-1 deficit, Kenya and Tanzania carry a slim advantage into their second legs while Rwanda looks to upset 2014 CHAN winners in Kigali.
Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga previews all the weekend fixtures in a detailed report;
Uganda Vs Madagascar [Agg: 1-2]
Coach Micho welcomes back striker Geoffrey Massa, midfielders Tony Mawejje and Moses Oloya plus first choice goalie Denis Onyango for the must win clash. Cranes lost 2-1 in Mahajanga a couple of weeks ago and need to beat the Barea of Madagascar 1-0 to progress to the next stage.
Comoros Vs Kenya [Agg: 0-1]
Kenya take on Comoros seeking to hold on to their 1-0 first leg win but must battle without AC Ajaccio striker Denis Oliech. The ex-Harambee stars skipper was left out of the squad by coach Adel Amrouche for alleged misconduct and thus will rely on the quality of Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama, Inter Milan’s McDonald Mariga and Belgium based Ayub Timbe for a needed result. Sweden based goalie Arnold Origi returns after missing the first leg. Kenya need to avoid defeat to dump Comoros.
Zimbabwe Vs Tanzania [Agg: 0-1]
Tanzania’s Taifa Stars pay a courtesy visit to Harare in a mission to eliminate home team Zimbabwe. Tanzania go into the game with a slim 1-0 lead thanks to John Bocco’s winner in Dar es Salaam a fortnight ago and need to avoid defeat to reach next stage.
The visitors will hope TP Mazembe duo of Mbwana Samatta and Thomas Ulimwengu transfer club form to country if they are to keep their hopes alive.
Lesotho Vs Liberia [Agg: 0-1]
The Lone Stars of Liberia will be wary of a threat posed by Lesotho when the two clash in the second leg in Maputo. Liberia won the first match 1-0 but know what is at stake. The visitors will put all hope in South Africa based striker Anthony Laffor who netted the only goal in the first leg.
Equatorial Guinea Vs Mauritania [Agg: 0-1]
Equatorial Guinea hosts on form Mauritania seeking to overturn a 1-0 defeat suffered in the first leg a couple of weeks ago. The hosts are favourites to go past the stage but must be cautious against a side that swept Mauritius home and away in the preliminary round. Guinea must beat the visitors 2-0 to out rightly reach next stage.
Congo Vs Namibia [Agg: 0-1]
Following a shock 1-0 loss in the first leg, Congo Brazzaville will need to up their game at home in order to beat Namibia at least 2-0 to keep their hopes of reaching Morocco alive.
Rwanda Vs Libya [Agg: 0-0]
New Amavubi coach Stephen Constantine takes charge of his first game when the side hosts Libya in Kigali. Constantine watched the first leg in the stands and will hope his charges beat the CHAN 2014 winners to offer him a memorable start to his two year term. Rwanda need an outright victory whilst Libya need a score draw.
South Sudan Vs Mozambique [Agg: 0-5]
In what appears as a dead rubber, The Bright Stars of South Sudan host the Mambas of Mozambique seeking a miracle to overturn a 5-0 first leg defeat. The hosts must beat the visitors at least 6-0 to advance as even a 4-0 loss for Mozambique still takes them to the next stage.
Botswana Vs Burundi [Agg: 0-0]
In Gaborone, Botswana take on CECAFA side Burundi in a must win tie. Following a barren draw in Bujumbura last week, a score draw for the visitors will see them book a slot in the next stage.
In other games, Guinea Bissau takes on Central African Republic after a 0-0 draw in the first leg, Benin 2-0 away winners hosts Sao Tome Principe, Chad hosts Malawi seeking to avenge a 2-0 defeat whilst Swaziland hosts Sierra Leone.
Full second leg 2015 AFCON first qualifying round weekend fixtures
Friday May 30, 2014: Comoros Vs Kenya [Agg: 0-1] & South Sudan Vs Mozambique [Agg: 0-5]
Saturday May 31, 2014: Uganda Vs Madagascar [Agg: 1-2],Rwanda Vs Libya [Agg: 0-0],Guinea Bissau Vs CAR (Agg: 0-0],Sierra Leone Vs Swaziland [Agg: 1-1] & Guinea Bissau Vs CAR (Agg: 0-0]
Sunday June 1, 2014: Zimbabwe Vs Tanzania [Agg: 0-1], Lesotho Vs Liberia [Agg: 0-1], Equatorial Guinea Vs Mauritania [Agg: 0-1], Congo Vs Namibia [Agg: 0-1], Botswana Vs Burundi [Agg: 0-0], Benin Vs Sao Tome Principe [Agg: 2-0] & Chad Vs Malawi [Agg: 0-2]