By: Mark Gleeson for Reuters | Photography courtesy of: Peter Cziborra Livepic
(Above) Senegal’s Moussa Sow scores their first goal.
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – Senegal and Tunisia are on the brink of qualification for next year’s World Cup finals but the tussle between the Ivory Coast and Morocco is set for a dramatic finale in Abidjan at the weekend.
Egypt and Nigeria have already claimed two of the five African slots for the tournament in Russia and the final set of qualifiers being played over the next week will determine the other three.
Senegal could be the first through on Friday if they win away against South Africa to guarantee top spot in Group D.
The match in Polokwane is a replay of last year’s 2-1 win for South Africa at the same venue, which FIFA later found had its outcome manipulated by the Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey, who has since been handed a life ban.
Bottom placed South Africa could yet come from behind and snatch top place if they win both matches.
It means Senegal and South Africa play each other twice in the space of four days with a return encounter next Tuesday in Dakar.
Senegal, who need two points to secure a World Cup berth, have been boosted by Sadio Mane’s recovery from a hamstring injury suffered in their last qualifier in October.
“I‘m happy to be back, because it was not easy to recover. I was hurt, but I worked hard to return. I‘m ready,” the Liverpool player told reporters.
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