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JOHANNESBURG. — There are five places reserved for Africa at the 2018 World Cup soccer finals in Russia and Nigeria, Tunisia, and Egypt could fill three of them this weekend. Nigeria will secure a sixth appearance at the global football showpiece by winning in Uyo against Zambia, the only other Group B contenders. Tunisia are away to Guinea and must better the result of second-place Democratic Republic of Congo, who face Libya, to clinch qualification from Group A

Egypt can end 28 years in the World Cup wilderness with a home victory over Congo Brazzaville if Uganda fail to collect maximum points against visiting Ghana. The other mini-leagues, topped by the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, cannot be decided after the penultimate series of matches, whatever the results. Having won 2-1 in Zambia last year, Nigeria are understandably optimistic, especially after impressive home and away performances against African champions Cameroon last month.

Inspired by current and former Chelsea midfielders Victor Moses and John Mikel Obi, the “Super Eagles” triumphed 4-0 in Uyo and drew 1-1 in Yaounde to end the Cameroon challenge. Germany-born Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr does not expect another multi-goal romp against Zambia, who would draw level with Nigeria on 10 points by winning.

“I do not believe another four-goal victory is a realistic expectation – winning by one or two goals will do fine,” Rohr told reporters.

“Zambia are now a much better team than when we beat them last year. Watching videos of their wins over Algeria, I was struck by the speed of the strikers. — AFP.