Africa Cup of Nations 2012

[joew2005]

Based on the current table standings,the following situations would occur aft 2nite's group phase qualification matches:

Group A : Liberia vs Cape Verde / Zimbabwe vs Mali
Zimbabwe will be eliminated if they lose 2 Mali, & Cape Verde defeat Liberia.
Liberia will be eliminated if they do not defeat Cape Verde, & Mali defeat Zimbabwe.

Group B : Ethiopia vs Nigeria / Guinea vs Madagascar
Madagascar will be eliminated if they lose 2 Guinea, & Nigeria defeat Ethiopia.
If Madagascar draw 0–0 with Guinea & Nigeria defeat Ethiopia, Madagascar would also be eliminated.
Ethiopia will be eliminated if they lose 2 Nigeria, & Guinea defeat Madagascar.

Group C : Comoros vs Libya
Comoros will be eliminated if they do not defeat Libya.

Group E : Mauritius vs Congo DR
Mauritius will be eliminated if they lose 2 Congo DR.

Group G : Egypt vs South Africa
Egypt will be eliminated if they lose 2 South Africa.

Group H : Benin vs Côte d'Ivoire / Burundi vs Rwanda
Côte d'Ivoire will qualify 4 the finals if they defeat Benin, & Rwanda do not defeat Burundi.
Burundi will be eliminated if they lose 2 Rwanda, & Côte d'Ivoire do not defeat Benin.

Group I : Swaziland vs Sudan
Congo will be eliminated if Sudan defeat Swaziland, & Swaziland will be eliminated if they do not defeat Sudan.

Group K :
Togo & Chad has already been eliminated fr the Finals.
The Group K runner-up auto qualification spot shall be either Malawi or Tunisia.

[joew2005]

Results of qualifiction games played tis morning:
Group A : Liberia 1-0 Cape Verde / Zimbabwe 2-1 Mali
Group B : Ethiopia 2-2 Nigeria / Guinea 4-1 Madagascar
Group C : Comoros 1-1 Libya
Group D : Central African Republic 2-1 Tanzania
Group E : Mauritius 1-2 Congo DR
Group G : Egypt 0-0 South Africa
Group H : Benin 2-6 Côte d'Ivoire / Burundi 3-1 Rwanda
Group I : Swaziland 1-2 Sudan
Group J : Angola 1-0 Kenya
Group K : Botswana 0-0 Malawi / Tunisia 5-0 Chad

Current Table Standing:
Group A:
1 Cape Verde P4 W2 D1 L1 GS5 GA3 GD+2 Pts 7
2 Mali P4 W2 D0 L2 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts 6
3 Zimbabwe P4 W1 D2 L1 GS3 GA3 GD0 Pts 5
4 Liberia P4 W1 D1 L2 GS5 GA7 GD-2 Pts 4

Group B:
1 Guinea P4 W3 D1 L0 GS10 GA3 GD+7 Pts 10
2 Nigeria P4 W2 D1 L1 GS8 GA3 GD+5 Pts 7
3 Ethiopia P4 W1 D1 L2 GS4 GA10 GD-6 Pts 4
4 Madagascar P4 W0 D1 L3 GS2 GA8 GD-6 Pts 1

Group C:
1 Zambia P4 W3 D0 L1 GS9 GA1 GD+8 Pts 9
2 Libya P4 W3 D1 L0 GS5 GA1 GD+4 Pts 8
3 Mozambique P4 W1 D1 L2 GS1 GA5 GD-4 Pts 4
4 Comoros P4 W0 D1 L3 GS1 GA9 GD-8 Pts 1

Group D:
1 Morocco P4 W2 D1 L1 GS5 GA1 GD+4 Pts 7
2 Central African Republic P4 W2 D1 L1 GS5 GA3 GD+2 Pts 7
3 Tanzania P4 W1 D1 L2 GS4 GA5 GS-1 Pts 4
4 Algeria P4 W1 D1 L2 GS2 GA7 GS-5 Pts 4

Group E:
1 Senegal P4 W3 D1 L0 GS12 GA2 GD+10 Pts 10
2 Congo DR P4 W2 D1 L1 GS8 GA6 GD+2 Pts 7
3 Cameroon P4 W1 D2 L1 GS4 GA3 GD+1 Pts 5
4 Mauritius P4 W0 D0 L4 GS2 GA15 GD–13 Pts 0

Group F:
1 Burkina Faso P3 W3 D0 L0 GS11 GA2 GD+9 Pts 9
2 Gambia P2 W1 D0 L1 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts 3
3 Namibia P3 W0 D0 L3 GS2 GA11 GD–9 Pts 0

Group G:
1 South Africa P4 W2 D2 L0 GS3 GA0 GD+3 Pts 8
2 Niger P4 W2 D0 L2 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts 6
3 Sierra Leone P4 W1 D2 L1 GS3 GA4 GD-1 Pts 5
4 Egypt P4 W0 D2 L2 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts 2

Group H:
1 Côte d'Ivoire P4 W4 D0 L0 GS12 GA3 GD+9 Pts 12
2 Burundi P4 W1 D1 L2 GS5 GA6 GD-1 Pts 4
3 Benin P4 W1 D1 L2 GS7 GA9 GD-2 Pts 4
4 Rwanda P4 W1 D0 L3 GS4 GA10 GD–6 Pts 3

Group I:
1 Ghana P4 W3 D1 L0 GS9 GA1 GD+8 Pts 10
2 Sudan P4 W3 D1 L0 GS7 GA1 GD+6 Pts 10
3 Congo P4 W1 D0 L3 GS4 GA9 GD-5 Pts 3
4 Swaziland P4 W0 D0 L4 GS2 GA11 GD-9 Pts 0

Group J:
1 Uganda P4 W3 D1 L0 GS6 GA0 GD+6 Pts 10
2 Angola P4 W2 D0 L2 GS3 GA5 GD–2 Pts 6
3 Kenya P4 W1 D1 L2 GS2 GA3 GD-1 Pts 4
4 Guinea-Bissau P4 W1 D0 L3 GS1 GA4 GD-3 Pts 3

Group K:
1 Botswana P7 W5 D2 L0 GS7 GA2 GD+5 Pts 17
2 Tunisia P6 W3 D1 L2 GS12 GA6 GD+6 Pts 10
3 Malawi P6 W2 D4 L0 GS11 GA6 GD+5 Pts 10
4 Togo P6 W0 D3 L3 GS5 GA8 GD−3 Pts 3
5 Chad P7 W0 D2 L5 GS5 GA18 GD−12 Pts 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Af..._qualification

[joew2005]

Qualification For The Finals:

1) Co-host - Equatorial Guinea
2) Co-host - Gabon
3) Group A Winner -
4) Group B Winner -
5) Group C Winner -
6) Group D Winner -
7) Group E Winner -
8) Group F Winner - Burkina Faso
9) Group G Winner -
10) Group H Winner - Côte d'Ivoire
11) Group I Winner -
12) Group J Winner -
13) Group K Winner - Botswana
14) Group K Runner -
15) Group A~Group J Best Runner Up 1 -
16) Group A~Group J Best Runner Up 2 -

[joew2005]

Remaining Qualification Group Phase Matches:

Group A
2–4 September 2011 : Mali vs Cape Verde / Zimbabwe vs Liberia
7–9 October 2011 : Liberia vs Mali / Cape Verde vs Zimbabwe

Group B
2–4 September 2011: Madagascar vs Nigeria / Guinea vs Ethiopia
7–9 October 2011: Ethiopia vs Madagascar / Nigeria vs Guinea

Group C
2–4 September 2011: Libya vs Mozambique / Comoros vs Zambia
7–9 October 2011: Zambia vs Libya / Mozambique vs Comoros

Group D
2–4 September 2011: Tanzania vs Algeria / Central African Republic vs Morocco
7–9 October 2011: Morocco vs Tanzania / Algeria vs Central African Republic

Group E
2–4 September 2011: Senegal vs Congo DR / Cameroon vs Mauritius
7–9 October 2011: Mauritius vs Senegal / Congo DR vs Cameroon

Group F
2–4 September 2011: Namibia vs Gambia
7–9 October 2011: Gambia vs Burkina Faso

Group G
2 September 2011: Sierra Leone vs Egypt
2–4 September 2011: Niger vs South Africa
7-9 October 2011: Egypt vs Niger / South Africa vs Sierra Leone

Group H
2–4 September 2011: Rwanda vs Côte d'Ivoire / Burundi vs Benin
7–9 October 2011: Benin vs Rwanda / Côte d'Ivoire vs Burundi

Group I
2–4 September 2011: Congo vs Sudan / Ghana vs Swaziland
7–9 October 2011: Swaziland vs Congo / Sudan vs Ghana

Group J
2–4 September 2011: Kenya vs Guinea-Bissau / Angola vs Uganda
7–9 October 2011: Uganda vs Kenya / Guinea-Bissau vs Angola

Group K
2–4 September 2011: Malawi vs Tunisia / Togo vs Botswana
7–9 October 2011: Chad vs Malawi / Tunisia vs Togo

Comoros(Group C), Mauritius(Group E), Congo(Group I), Swaziland(Group I), Chad(Group K) & Togo(Group K) are already eliminated fr the Finals in 2012.

[joew2005]

Current CAF/Fifa ranking: Updated on 29 June 2011.
Next update on 27 July 2011.

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ra...23913&rank=205

1. Côte d'Ivoire (Fifa 14)
2. Ghana (Fifa 33)
3. Egypt (Fifa 34)
4. Burkina Faso(Fifa 37)
5. Nigeria (Fifa 41)
6. Senegal (Fifa 43)
7. South Africa (Fifa 47)
8. Cameroon (Fifa 48)
9. Algeria (Fifa 51)
10. Tunisia (Fifa 57)
11. Gabon (Fifa 60)
12. Morocco (Fifa 63)
13. Libya (Fifa 63)
14. Guinea (Fifa 66)
15. Malawi (Fifa 71)
16. Zambia (Fifa 72)
17. Botswana (Fifa 74)
18. Uganda (Fifa 77)
19. Mali (Fifa 78)
20. Cape Verde (Fifa 81)
21. Benin (Fifa 87)
22. Zimbabwe (Fifa 87)
23. Central African Republic (Fifa 91)
24. Sierra Leone (Fifa 95)
25. Sudan (Fifa 99)
26. Niger (Fifa 100)
27. Angola (Fifa 102)
28. Gambia (Fifa 102)
29. Mozambique (Fifa 106)
30. Togo (Fifa 113)
31. Congo DR (Fifa 124)
32. Liberia (Fifa 125)
33. Tanzania (Fifa 127)
34. Congo (Fifa 129)
35. Kenya (Fifa 130)
36. Rwanda (Fifa 134)
37. Ethiopia (Fifa 136)
38. Madagascar (Fifa 138)
39. Burundi (Fifa 139)
40. Guinea-Bissau (Fifa 145)
41. Equatorial Guinea (Fifa 149)
42. Chad (Fifa 152)
43. Namibia (Fifa 153)
44. Swaziland (Fifa 157)
45. Comoros (Fifa 164)
46. Lesotho (Fifa 178) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification
47. Mauritania (Fifa 183) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification
48. Eritrea (Fifa 186) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification
49. Somalia (Fifa 188) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification
50. Mauritius (Fifa 189)
51. Seychelles (Fifa 190) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification
52. Djibouti (Fifa 193) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...-coach?cc=4716

Algeria appoint Halilhodzic new coach

Algeria hv appointed former Ivory Coast boss Vahid Halilhodzic as their new coach, with the Bosnian's 1st task 2 guide the Desert Foxes 2 the 2012 African Nations Cup.

Halilhodzic, 59, will hv an uphill battle 2 get them there, though, with Algeria currently sitting bottom of their qualifying group D having won just 1 game & recently been embarrassingly thrashed 4-0 by neighbours Morocco.

Tat result saw former coach Abdelhak Benchikha resign but Halilhodzic believes he can resurrect Algeria's bid 2 reach the tournament, due 2 be hosted in Equatorial Guinea &
Gabon.

"I've signed a 3-year contract," Halilhodzic told reporters @ a press conference on Saturday. "My mission is 2 qualify Algeria 4 the (2012) Africa Cup of Nations & the WC.

"I'll do everything 2 improve the technical performances of tis team, which has great potential. It's true tat it won't be easy, given the time factor, but if I've accepted tis challenge, it's 2 succeed.

"If the team doesn't qualify 4 the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, we'll go our separate ways."

Halilhodzic took Ivory Coast 2 the quarter-finals of the last African Nations Cup, where the Elephants were beaten by Algeria, b4 leading them 2 a group stage exit @ the WC in South Africa.


Currently Morocco leads Group D after 4 games played, with 7 points.
Central African Republic is @ 2nd placed with also 7 points, but an inferior goal differences than Morocco.
Tanzania is 3rd with 4 points & a GD of -1.
Algeria is 4th with 4 points & a GD of -5.

All 4 teams hv 2 games remaining.
In early September 2011,Tanzania plays Algeria @ home while Central African Republic plays Morocco @ home.
In early October 2011,Morocco plays Tanzania @ home while Algeria plays Central African Republic @ home.


When Algeria played Tanzania @ home on 3 September 2010, the match finished 1-all.
When Algeria played Central African Republic away on 11 Oct 2010, Algeria lost the game 2-nil.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...-rough?cc=4716

Africa's diamonds in the rough
July 10, 2011

When a friend recently asked me wat I associated with Sierra Leone, football was certainly not the 1st thing tat sprung 2 mind. The sport may be the West African nation's most popular by some distance, but I had already replied with "civil war", "blood diamonds" & even "Kanye West" b4 he interjected 2 discuss Sierra Leone's football credentials.

The national team has undergone a resurgence of late &, currently standing ahead of reigning African Nations Cup (AFCON) champions Egypt in the race 2 reach next January's tournament in Gabon & Equatorial Guinea, a 1st appearance @ the finals in 16 years beckons 4 a country whose recent history, in both a footballing & political sense, has been tumultuous.

The friend who posed the aforementioned question works in the capital, Freetown, in an engineering sector tat has continued 2 expand since the 10-year Civil War ended in 2002. Indeed, my initial responses when asked abt Sierra Leone were entirely justifiable: the internal conflict there was widely broadcast as 1 of the bloodiest ever witnessed on the continent & the unusual abundance of amputees provides a tangible, distressing reminder of the atrocities.

However, the UN finally lifted its last remaining post-war sanctions against Sierra Leone in September 2010 & despite reservations remaining abt corruption & its position @ No. 161 of 172 nations on the UN's Human Development Index - measuring a variety of factors including levels of education, income & life expectancy - the economy has experienced substantial growth & the country appears 2 be on an upward trajectory.

Parallels can be drawn with the national football team, which has also begun 2 show marked improvement aft suffering thru a period of stagnation 4 a number of years. Paradoxically, Sierra Leone's greatest successes on the international stage came when the country was deep in political turmoil: helped by a hefty injection of cash fr the ruling military junta, the Leone Stars qualified 4 successive African Nations Cup (ANC) in 1994 & 1996, their only 2 appearances in the competition 2 date.

Football provided many Sierra Leoneans with an escape fr the harsh realities of life in the country during the Civil War but former national team boss John Sherington, who coached the side in 1996, believes tat despite some notable accomplishments, the conflict was detrimental 2 the sport in the country.

"Football went on, we never stopped playing, only during fighting," Sherington told ESPNsoccernet. "It was hard 2 train & play as a team but we played when we could with whoever was around. Yes, the conflict has set the whole country back, but we r getting back 2 the standard we were b4 the war & we hope 2 be better again."

AFCON 1996, in particular, captured the public's imagination in a manner now only reserved 4 the fanatically-followed English Premier League. An 89th-min winner fr 16-year-old striker Mohamed Kallon - who went on 2 play 4 Inter Milan & remains Sierra Leone's undisputed footballing hero - gave the Leone Stars a 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso & their only 3 points, thus far, @ the continental finals.

There was a genuine, though significantly rose-tinted, belief among Sierra Leonean supporters @ the time tat Kallon could emulate the likes of Abedi Pele & George Weah & become Africa's next global superstar. The 4ward never lived up 2 those lofty expectations, though, & his career declined dramatically following his departure fr Inter in 2004. Even his 9 years @ the San Siro never yielded regular 1st-team football & he was farmed out 2 6 other Italian clubs b4 exiting.

Kallon was expected 2 be the 1st in a long line of exciting Sierra Leonean players as interest in the national team reached its zenith in the mid-90s, but aft climbing 2 a record-high FIFA ranking of 51, it appeared Sierra Leone could go no further. There was 2 be no production-line of new Kallons &, by the end of the Civil War, financial support had been stripped back considerably, with reductions in national team funding continuing as priorities understandably turned 2 reviving a ravaged infrastructure.

Subsequent African Nations Cup qualifiers brought heartbreak aft heartbreak: a withdrawal in 1998 & disqualification in 2000 becos of the internal struggles were followed by 1st-round exits 2 Togo in 2002, Congo in 2006 & a haul of just 1 point fr 6 qualifying games in 2008 - a campaign in which they crumbled 2 a lowest ever FIFA ranking of 172.

However, a positive showing in 2004, when Sierra Leone needed a win against Gabon in their final group match 2 advance 2 the finals but fell @ the final hurdle, provided a glimmer of optimism. Tat glimmer burned even brighter 5 years later as the Leone Stars achieved their biggest result since tat memorable night against Burkina Faso in 1996. Kallon was the man 2 again provide the fairytale touch as South Africa were beaten 1-0 in Freetown.

It was the highlight of a qualifying campaign tat again ended in failure but served 2 provoke a greater interest fr fans who had started 2 become disillusioned with both the national team & domestic league, preferring 2 watch ManU & Chelsea on television than Mighty Blackpool & East End Lions in person.

Sierra Leone's new young, hungry squad then showed more than just potential with an encouraging start to 2012 AFCON qualifying, drawing their opening games with traditional continental powers Egypt & South Africa. The Leone Stars now hv a number of foreign-based players in their ranks, with the likes of Partizan midfielder Mohamed Kamara, AC Milan's Rodney Strasser & AIK pair Mohamed/Teteh Bangura among those plying their trade in Europe.

The connection with Milan has obviously placed huge pressure on the shoulders of 21-year-old Strasser 2 replicate the success of Kallon, but it is the Banguras who has been hitting the headlines recently, with Teteh's Swedish goalscoring exploits in particular reportedly attracting the attention of Newcastle United. For former Sierra Leone coach Sherington, the increasing numbers of players honing their trade abroad has been key 2 the development of the national team.

"It will be difficult 2 qualify, but can we do it? Yes, I believe it is possible," Sherington said. "We hv players like Rodney Strasser, who is very talented but he needs time. He needs 2 become stronger & learn more. Playing with people like Seedorf @ Milan will be good 4 him.

"Many of our players r having experience in Europe now & they r able 2 train & play in the right way. We hv talented players in Sierra Leone but we need the facilities 2 improve. Tat is how we will move 4ward."

But just as enthusiasm 4 the national team was growing 1s again, a disappointing 3-1 defeat away 2 Niger in March appeared 2 signal tat the wheels were in danger of falling off. Politics hv unsurprisingly permeated Sierra Leonean football 4 some time & the battle betw the country's Sports Ministry & Football Association (SLFA) has often been a case of the irresistible force meeting the immovable object, with both sides tending 2 hv very different ideas abt how the game should be run.

The latest chapter in tis discord contributed 2 the Niger loss, as sports minister Paul Kamara replaced popular head coach Christian Cole with Swede Lars Olof Mattson just 4 days b4 the crunch fixture, without consulting the SLFA. The Leone Stars' preparations were thrown in2 disarray, with the SFLA refusing 2 recognise Mattson as the new boss & arguments continued in the build-up 2 the return fixture with Niger in Freetown in June, culminating in a bizarre face-off when both coaches announced squads 4 the qualifier.

Ibrahim Sesay, the team affairs manager of domestic giants Mighty Blackpool & the national team, is 1 of those who opposed the Swede's appointment. "We r not happy," Sesay told ESPNsoccernet. "We had our plan, we went 2 Egypt & got a draw & again against South Africa @ home & then we lost against Niger when he came in. Our plan now is broken. We hv our own man already & we will be back in charge soon."

Sesay's final assertion looks a little optimistic, though, as Mattson has been offered a contract 2 take him thru 2 the end of AFCON qualifying. Just b4 the Niger game in Freetown, Cole attempted 2 heal the growing schism in Sierra Leonean football by standing aside 2 allow the Swede 2 take charge. A 1-0 victory followed, courtesy of a goal 4 the highly-rated Teteh Bangura, & Cole's compromise in accepting a demotion 2 assistant helped preserve the Leone Stars' chances of reaching the 2012 finals.

"Working under him (Mattson) is no problem, he is a good coach," Cole told ESPNsoccernet aft the Niger win. "We r working 2gether & we r confident 4 the future. We can qualify, we r playing well & we hv already had good results away in Egypt & against South Africa. It will be difficult 4 us aft our loss in Niger but we will try. We hv a young side & we will be strong 4 the future."

A turbulent past both on & off the pitch suggests it is impossible 2 predict just wat tat future holds. Final qualifying matches @ home 2 Egypt & away 2 South Africa await in September & October, & a less chaotic build-up is necessary if Sierra Leone's football diamonds r 2 get their chance 2 shine next January.

[joew2005]

Current CAF/Fifa ranking: Updated on 27 July 2011.
Next update on 24 Aug 2011.

1. Côte d'Ivoire (Fifa 14)
2. Egypt (Fifa 34)
3. Ghana (Fifa 36)
4. Burkina Faso(Fifa 39)
5. Nigeria (Fifa 43)
6. Senegal (Fifa 46)
7. South Africa (Fifa 49)
8. Cameroon (Fifa 50)
9. Algeria (Fifa 52)
10. Tunisia (Fifa 55)
11. Gabon (Fifa 60)
12. Morocco (Fifa 63)
12. Libya (Fifa 63)
14. Guinea (Fifa 68)
15. Botswana (Fifa 71)
16. Malawi (Fifa 72)
17. Zambia (Fifa 74)
18. Uganda (Fifa 76)
19. Mali (Fifa 77)
20. Cape Verde (Fifa 82)
21. Benin (Fifa 86)
21. Zimbabwe (Fifa 86)
23. Central African Republic (Fifa 89)
24. Sierra Leone (Fifa 93)
25. Sudan (Fifa 97)
26. Niger (Fifa 98)
27. Angola (Fifa 100)
27. Gambia (Fifa 100)
29. Mozambique (Fifa 103)
30. Congo DR (Fifa 123)
30. Togo (Fifa 123)
32. Liberia (Fifa 125)
33. Tanzania (Fifa 127)
34. Congo (Fifa 129)
35. Kenya (Fifa 130)
36. Rwanda (Fifa 134)
37. Ethiopia (Fifa 139)
38. Namibia (Fifa 140)
39. Burundi (Fifa 143)
40. Madagascar (Fifa 149)
41. Guinea-Bissau (Fifa 151)
42. Equatorial Guinea (Fifa 155)
43. Chad (Fifa 158)
44. Swaziland (Fifa 169)
45. Comoros (Fifa 175)
46. Lesotho (Fifa 184) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification
47. Mauritania (Fifa 187) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification
48. Eritrea (Fifa 188) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification
49. Somalia (Fifa 191) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification
50. Djibouti (Fifa 194) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification
51. Mauritius (Fifa 195)
52. Seychelles (Fifa 199) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification


http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ra...23913&rank=206

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...africa?cc=4716

How Botswana stunned Africa
July 28, 2011

A year ago, when Stanley Tshosane, the Botswana coach, announced @ a media conference in Gaborone tat his team aimed 2 emerge unbeaten fr their African Nations Cup (ANC) qualifiers, people laughed @ him. The Zebras had never even reached the continental showpiece, never mind come thru its preliminary stages unscathed. "They thought 2 themselves, 'Tis coach is drunk'," Tshosane told ESPNsoccernet. "1 man actually even said tat if we managed 2 qualify 4 the tournament, he would walk naked thru Gabarone Mall."

Tshosane let them jeer. He & his squad of hopefuls had made a promise 2 each other &, even if no-1 else believed in them, they were going 2 see it 2 completion. "I remember it well. We made the agreement on June 13, 2010, tat we would not be beaten," he said.

It seems an unrealistic pact 2 make, especially when you hv never been ranked inside the top 100 football teams in the world, never come close 2 qualifying 4 the WC & nvr been seen as anything other than continental whipping boys. But it wasn't a fanciful notion, either. Botswana had been planning their coup of Africa for 2 years b4 tat, under Tshosane's watchful eye. He had been involved with the sport 4 most of his life & taken the Botswana Defence Force XI to 4 league titles; in his 2nd stint as national coach, he was tired of watching them underperform. After a 4-0 drubbing by Ivory Coast in a WC qualifier in June 2008 in Abidjan, Tshosane decided 2 work out his own plan 2 present 2 the Botswana Football Association (BFA) 2 carve out the road 2 success.

Tshosane started by spelling out the problems. "Our preparation was poor @ tat stage. We did not spend enough time working out plans," he said. "Also, our approach was not good enough 2 compete with big countries. We didn't offer our players appropriate incentives either." Then, he proposed a few, simple changes tat could be made, claiming: "I suggested tat we play more friendlies & tat we use the time tat the WC was on in South Africa as a period 2 train back home."

Botswana played 15 friendly matches betw June 2008 & their 1st AFCON qualifier in July 2010, against countries geographically close 2 them such as Zimbabwe & Lesotho but also against the likes of New Zealand, Iran & China. Since Tshosane's resolution 2 get more game time, 3 years ago, Botswana hv played 30 matches, of which 21 hv been friendlies. 2 put tat volume in context, it is more friendly games than either Brazil or Ghana played over the same period.

While the continent was watching with awe the build-up 2, & goings-on in, South Africa during the WC last year, Botswana's football team were in training. It was an ideal opportunity 2 hv the full squad available 4 an uninterrupted period. 10 days b4 Spain become World champions, Botswana travelled 2 their 1st AFCON qualifier, against Tunisia in their own backyard, with a sly plan in place.

"We would hv made a blunder if we tried 2 match them becos we cannot compete with a side like tat either technically or tactically," Tsoshane said. "Pound 4 pound, we would lose 2 them." It sounded very much like the Zebras went in anticipating defeat when, in fact, they simply approached the game realistically.

"We tried 2 close spaces in own half & defend correctly. When we got tat right & made sure it was not easy 4 them 2 score against us, we could play the counter-attacks & move up fast," he added The defensive style of play worked & Botswana came up 1-0 winners over the Carthage Eagles.

A year later, they hv used the same method 2 record wins against Chad, Togo & Tunisia again, tis time @ home, as well as 2 draws against Malawi 2 qualify 4 their 1st ANC, with a match 2 spare. Botswana also went unbeaten in 2010. Theirs is not the most eye-catching way 2 go abt playing football, but Tshosane sees it as a successful approach 2 working within limitations. "I know there is nothing very entertaining in the way we score goals becos we focus on getting the defence right," he said.

Nonetheless, he still has a vision of 1 day producing a Latin-like flair on the pitch, maintaining: "I like the flow of South American football & I hope we can emulate Brazil." Tshoshane has attended 2 coaching courses in Brazil & was planning on taking the Botswana team 4 a training camp there next month. Logistics hv become 2 complicated & instead the team hv settled 4 a visit 2 the High Performance Centre (HPC) in South Africa & r planning a trip 2 somewhere "up more north than where we r in Africa" such as Kenya in order 2 acclimatise 2 conditions tat will be similar 2 those in Equatorial Guinea & Gabon, where next year's ANC will take place.

7 of Botswana's international squad play in South Africa, including star defender Mogogi Gabonamong & top striker Jerome Ramathlhakwane, & were unable 2 join the camp becos of club commitments. Tshosane did not see the players' absence as a club vs. country clash & instead said tat South African football had done alot 4 the increased professionalism among Botswana players. "The players who play in the South African league come back with confidence. They r exposed 2 a high level of competition & facilities tat we don't hv @ home," he said.

At the HPC, the Botswana team currently has access 2 specialist coaches, physical trainers & nutritionists & r combining training sessions with theoretical study, which Tshosane thinks will make them even stronger come the continental showpiece. "I hv never seen my players so motivated," he said. "I also 1 2 meet some of the South African coaches 2 learn fr them. I think if we get as much as information as possible & prepare well, we will be able 2 compete well."

It's important tat he used the word compete, becos there r still some in Botswana who think tat Tsoshane will be satisfied with simply participating in ANC. 1 such disgruntled person has formed a Facebook group called Get Tshosane Out of Zebras. The creator of the page, Kenneth Sykes Ramakaloi, calls Tshosane the "most fortunate coach in the world" becos "2 coach a team with no talent is a huge feat". He has also dismissed the national coach as a "non-tactician" & "incompetent." The group has 64 members out of a country of just over 2 million.

Tshosane is aware of such doubters & dismisses the group as nothing major. "In life you will always hv opposition," he said. "Football is all abt results. As long as I get that right, people will start 2 respect me." People like the man who threatened 2 streak if Tshosane & his men made history by qualifying 4 African Nations Cup. "He didn't do it in the end, but he did apologise publicly 2 all of us," Tshosane revealed.

[joew2005]

Upcoming qualification fxitures in Sept 2011:

Group A
2–4 September 2011 : Mali vs Cape Verde / Zimbabwe vs Liberia

Group B
2–4 September 2011: Madagascar vs Nigeria / Guinea vs Ethiopia

Group C
2–4 September 2011: Libya vs Mozambique / Comoros vs Zambia

Group D
2–4 September 2011: Tanzania vs Algeria / Central African Republic vs Morocco

Group E
2–4 September 2011: Senegal vs Congo DR / Cameroon vs Mauritius

Group F
2–4 September 2011: Namibia vs Gambia

Group G
2 September 2011: Sierra Leone vs Egypt
2–4 September 2011: Niger vs South Africa

Group H
2–4 September 2011: Rwanda vs Côte d'Ivoire / Burundi vs Benin

Group I
2–4 September 2011: Congo vs Sudan / Ghana vs Swaziland

Group J
2–4 September 2011: Kenya vs Guinea-Bissau / Angola vs Uganda

Group K
2–4 September 2011: Malawi vs Tunisia / Togo vs Botswana

[joew2005]

Current CAF/Fifa ranking: Updated on 24 Aug 2011.
Next update on 21 Sept 2011.

1. Côte d'Ivoire (Fifa 15)
2. Egypt (Fifa 34)
3. Ghana (Fifa 36)
4. Nigeria (Fifa 38)
5. Burkina Faso(Fifa 39)
6. Algeria (Fifa 46)
7. South Africa (Fifa 47)
8. Senegal (Fifa 49)
9. Cameroon (Fifa 52)
10. Tunisia (Fifa 57)
11. Morocco (Fifa 61)
12. Libya (Fifa 64)
13. Gabon (Fifa 67)
14. Guinea (Fifa 69)
15. Cape Verde (Fifa 72)
16. Malawi (Fifa 73)
17. Zimbabwe (Fifa 74)
18. Zambia (Fifa 76)
19. Botswana (Fifa 78)
20. Uganda (Fifa 80)
21. Mali (Fifa 81)
22. Benin (Fifa 83)
23. Sierra Leone (Fifa 92)
24. Angola (Fifa 96)
25. Sudan (Fifa 98)
26. Mozambique (Fifa 99)
27. Central African Republic (Fifa 104)
27. Niger (Fifa 104)
29. Gambia (Fifa 107)
30. Togo (Fifa 121)
31. Liberia (Fifa 123)
32. Tanzania (Fifa 125)
33. Congo DR (Fifa 127)
34. Congo (Fifa 132)
35. Kenya (Fifa 133)
36. Rwanda (Fifa 138)
37. Ethiopia (Fifa 140)
38. Namibia (Fifa 143)
39. Burundi (Fifa 145)
40. Guinea-Bissau (Fifa 150)
41. Madagascar (Fifa 152)
42. Chad (Fifa 154)
42. Equatorial Guinea (Fifa 154)
44. Swaziland (Fifa 172)
45. Seychelles (Fifa 175) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification
46. Comoros (Fifa 182)
47. Lesotho (Fifa 185) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification
48. Mauritius (Fifa 188)
49. Eritrea (Fifa 189) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification
50. Mauritania (Fifa 190) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification
51. Somalia (Fifa 193) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification
52. Djibouti (Fifa 196) - Not in CAF 2012 Qualification


http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ra...23913&rank=207

[joew2005]

Qualification

Group A:
Cape Verde P4 W2 D1 L1 GS5 GA3 GD+2 Pts=7
Mali P4 W2 D0 L2 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts=6
Zimbabwe P4 W1 D2 L1 GS3 GA3 GD0 Pts=5
Liberia P4 W1 D1 L2 GS5 GA7 GD-2 Pts=4

3 Sept 2011 : Mali vs Cape Verde
4 Sept 2011 : Zimbabwe vs Liberia
7–9 Oct 2011 : Liberia vs Mali / Cape Verde vs Zimbabwe


Group B:
Guinea P4 W3 D1 L0 GS10 GA3 GD+7 Pts=10
Nigeria P4 W2 D1 L1 GS8 GA3 GD+5 Pts=7
Ethiopia P4 W1 D1 L2 GS4 GA10 GD-6 Pts=4
Madagascar P4 W0 D1 L3 GS2 GA8 GD-6 Pts=1

4 Sept 2011 : Madagascar vs Nigeria
2–4 Sept 2011 : Guinea vs Ethiopia
7–9 Oct 2011 : Ethiopia vs Madagascar / Nigeria vs Guinea


Group C:
Zambia P4 W3 D0 L1 GS9 GA1 GD+8 Pts=9
Libya P4 W3 D1 L0 GS5 GA1 GD+4 Pts=8
Mozambique P4 W1 D1 L2 GS1 GA5 GD-4 Pts=4
Comoros P4 W0 D1 L3 GS1 GA9 GD-8 Pts=1

3 Sept 2011 : Libya vs Mozambique
4 Sept 2011 : Comoros vs Zambia
7–9 Oct 2011 : Zambia vs Libya / Mozambique vs Comoros


Group D:
Morocco P4 W2 D1 L1 GS5 GA1 GD+4 Pts=7
Central African Republic P4 W2 D1 L1 GS5 GA3 GD+2 Pts=7
Tanzania P4 W1 D1 L2 GS4 GA5 GS-1 Pts=4
Algeria P4 W1 D1 L2 GS2 GA7 GS-5 Pts=4

3 Sept 2011 : Tanzania vs Algeria
4 Sept 2011 : Central African Republic vs Morocco
7–9 Oct 2011 : Morocco vs Tanzania / Algeria vs Central African Republic


Group E:
Senegal P4 W3 D1 L0 GS12 GA2 GD+10 Pts=10
Congo DR P4 W2 D1 L1 GS8 GA6 GD+2 Pts=7
Cameroon P4 W1 D2 L1 GS4 GA3 GD+1 Pts=5
Mauritius P4 W0 D0 L4 GS2 GA15 GD–13 Pts=0

3 Sept 2011 : Senegal vs Congo DR / Cameroon vs Mauritius
7–9 Oct 2011 : Mauritius vs Senegal / Congo DR vs Cameroon


Group F:
Burkina Faso P3 W3 D0 L0 GS11 GA2 GD+9 Pts=9
Gambia P2 W1 D0 L1 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts=3
Namibia P3 W0 D0 L3 GS2 GA11 GD–9 Pts=0

3 Sept 2011 : Namibia vs Gambia
7–9 Oct 2011 : Gambia vs Burkina Faso


Group G:
South Africa P4 W2 D2 L0 GS3 GA0 GD+3 Pts=8
Niger P4 W2 D0 L2 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts=6
Sierra Leone P4 W1 D2 L1 GS3 GA4 GD-1 Pts=5
Egypt P4 W0 D2 L2 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts=2

2-4 Sept 2011 : Sierra Leone vs Egypt
4 Sept 2011 : Niger vs South Africa
7 Oct 2011 : Egypt vs Niger
7–9 Oct 2011 : South Africa vs Sierra Leone


Group H:
Côte d'Ivoire P4 W4 D0 L0 GS12 GA3 GD+9 Pts=12
Burundi P4 W1 D1 L2 GS5 GA6 GD-1 Pts=4
Benin P4 W1 D1 L2 GS7 GA9 GD-2 Pts=4
Rwanda P4 W1 D0 L3 GS4 GA10 GD–6 Pts=3

3 Sept 2011 : Rwanda vs Côte d'Ivoire
4 Sept 2011 : Burundi vs Benin
7–9 Oct 2011 : Benin vs Rwanda / Côte d'Ivoire vs Burundi


Group I:
Ghana P5 W4 D1 L0 GS11 GA1 GD+10 Pts=13
Sudan P4 W3 D1 L0 GS7 GA1 GD+6 Pts=10
Congo P4 W1 D0 L3 GS4 GA9 GD-5 Pts=3
Swaziland P5 W0 D0 L5 GS2 GA13 GD-11 Pts=0

4 Sept 2011 : Congo vs Sudan
7–9 Oct 2011 : Swaziland vs Congo / Sudan vs Ghana


Group J:
Uganda P4 W3 D1 L0 GS6 GA0 GD+6 Pts=10
Angola P4 W2 D0 L2 GS3 GA5 GD–2 Pts=6
Kenya P4 W1 D1 L2 GS2 GA3 GD-1 Pts=4
Guinea-Bissau P4 W1 D0 L3 GS1 GA4 GD-3 Pts=3

3 Sept 2011 : Kenya vs Guinea-Bissau
4 Sept 2011 : Angola vs Uganda
7–9 Oct 2011 : Uganda vs Kenya / Guinea-Bissau vs Angola


Group K:
Botswana P7 W5 D2 L0 GS7 GA2 GD+5 Pts=17
Tunisia P6 W3 D1 L2 GS12 GA6 GD+6 Pts=10
Malawi P6 W2 D4 L0 GS11 GA6 GD+5 Pts=10
Togo P6 W0 D3 L3 GS5 GA8 GD−3 Pts=3
Chad P7 W0 D2 L5 GS5 GA18 GD−12 Pts=2

3 Sept 2011 : Malawi vs Tunisia
4 Sept 2011 : Togo vs Botswana
7–9 Oct 2011 : Chad vs Malawi / Tunisia vs Togo


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Af..._qualification


Team that have qualified for the Finals:
1) Co-host - Equatorial Guinea
2) Co-host - Gabon
3) Group A Winner -
4) Group B Winner -
5) Group C Winner -
6) Group D Winner -
7) Group E Winner -
8) Group F Winner - Burkina Faso
9) Group G Winner -
10) Group H Winner - Côte d'Ivoire
11) Group I Winner -
12) Group J Winner -
13) Group K Winner - Botswana
14) Group K Runner -
15) Group A~Group J Best RunnerUp 1 -
16) Group A~Group J Best RunnerUp 2 -

[joew2005]

Qualification

Group A
Mali P5 W3 D0 L2 GS7 GA4 GD+3 Pts=9
Cape Verde P5 W2 D1 L2 GS5 GA6 GD-1 Pts=7
Zimbabwe P4 W1 D2 L1 GS3 GA3 GD0 Pts=5
Liberia P4 W1 D1 L2 GS5 GA7 GD-2 Pts=4

3 Sept 2011 : Mali 3-0 Cape Verde
4 Sept 2011 : Zimbabwe vs Liberia
7–9 Oct 2011 : Liberia vs Mali / Cape Verde vs Zimbabwe


Group B
Guinea P4 W3 D1 L0 GS10 GA3 GD+7 Pts=10
Nigeria P4 W2 D1 L1 GS8 GA3 GD+5 Pts=7
Ethiopia P4 W1 D1 L2 GS4 GA10 GD-6 Pts=4
Madagascar P4 W0 D1 L3 GS2 GA8 GD-6 Pts=1

4 Sept 2011 : Madagascar vs Nigeria / Guinea vs Ethiopia
7–9 Oct 2011 : Ethiopia vs Madagascar / Nigeria vs Guinea


Group C
Libya P5 W4 D1 L0 GS6 GA1 GD+5 Pts=11
Zambia P4 W3 D0 L1 GS9 GA1 GD+8 Pts=9
Mozambique P5 W1 D1 L3 GS1 GA6 GD-5 Pts=4
Comoros P4 W0 D1 L3 GS1 GA9 GD-8 Pts=1

3 Sept 2011 : Libya 1-0 Mozambique
4 Sept 2011 : Comoros vs Zambia
7–9 Oct 2011 : Zambia vs Libya / Mozambique vs Comoros


Group D
Morocco P4 W2 D1 L1 GS5 GA1 GD+4 Pts=7
Central African Republic P4 W2 D1 L1 GS5 GA3 GD+2 Pts=7
Tanzania P5 W1 D2 L2 GS5 GA6 GS-1 Pts=5
Algeria P5 W1 D2 L2 GS3 GA8 GS-5 Pts=5

3 Sept 2011 : Tanzania 1-1 Algeria
4 Sept 2011 : Central African Republic vs Morocco
7–9 Oct 2011 : Morocco vs Tanzania / Algeria vs Central African Republic


Group E
Senegal P5 W4 D1 L0 GS14 GA2 GD+12 Pts=13
Cameroon P5 W2 D2 L1 GS9 GA3 GD+6 Pts=8
Congo DR P5 W2 D1 L2 GS8 GA8 GD0 Pts=7
Mauritius P5 W0 D0 L5 GS2 GA20 GD–18 Pts=0

3 Sept 2011 : Senegal 2-0 Congo DR / Cameroon 5-0 Mauritius
7–9 Oct 2011 : Mauritius vs Senegal / Congo DR vs Cameroon


Group F
Burkina Faso P3 W3 D0 L0 GS11 GA2 GD+9 Pts=9
Gambia P3 W1 D0 L2 GS4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=3
Namibia P4 W1 D0 L3 GS3 GA11 GD–8 Pts=3

3 Sept 2011 : Namibia 1-0 Gambia
7–9 Oct 2011 : Gambia vs Burkina Faso


Group G
South Africa P4 W2 D2 L0 GS3 GA0 GD+3 Pts=8
Sierra Leone P5 W2 D2 L1 GS5 GA5 GD0 Pts=8
Niger P4 W2 D0 L2 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts=6
Egypt P5 W0 D2 L3 GS2 GA5 GD-3 Pts=2

3 Sept 2011 : Sierra Leone 2-1 Egypt
4 Sept 2011 : Niger vs South Africa
7 Oct 2011 : Egypt vs Niger
7–9 Oct 2011 : South Africa vs Sierra Leone


Group H
Côte d'Ivoire P5 W5 D0 L0 GS17 GA3 GD+14 Pts=15
Burundi P4 W1 D1 L2 GS5 GA6 GD-1 Pts=4
Benin P4 W1 D1 L2 GS7 GA9 GD-2 Pts=4
Rwanda P5 W1 D0 L4 GS4 GA15 GD–11 Pts=3

3 Sept 2011 : Rwanda 0-5 Côte d'Ivoire
4 Sept 2011 : Burundi vs Benin
7–9 Oct 2011 : Benin vs Rwanda / Côte d'Ivoire vs Burundi


Group I
Ghana P5 W4 D1 L0 GS11 GA1 GD+10 Pts=13
Sudan P4 W3 D1 L0 GS7 GA1 GD+6 Pts=10
Congo P4 W1 D0 L3 GS4 GA9 GD-5 Pts=3
Swaziland P5 W0 D0 L5 GS2 GA13 GD-11 Pts=0

4 Sept 2011 : Congo vs Sudan
7–9 Oct 2011 : Swaziland vs Congo / Sudan vs Ghana


Group J
Uganda P4 W3 D1 L0 GS6 GA0 GD+6 Pts=10
Kenya P5 W2 D1 L2 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts=7
Angola P4 W2 D0 L2 GS3 GA5 GD–2 Pts=6
Guinea-Bissau P5 W1 D0 L4 GS2 GA6 GD-4 Pts=3

3 Sept 2011 : Kenya 2-1 Guinea-Bissau
4 Sept 2011 : Angola vs Uganda
7–9 Oct 2011 : Uganda vs Kenya / Guinea-Bissau vs Angola


Group K
Botswana P7 W5 D2 L0 GS7 GA2 GD+5 Pts=17
Tunisia P7 W3 D2 L2 GS12 GA6 GD+6 Pts=11
Malawi P7 W2 D5 L0 GS11 GA6 GD+5 Pts=11
Togo P6 W0 D3 L3 GS5 GA8 GD−3 Pts=3
Chad P7 W0 D2 L5 GS5 GA18 GD−12 Pts=2

3 Sept 2011 : Malawi 0-0 Tunisia
4 Sept 2011 : Togo vs Botswana
7–9 Oct 2011 : Chad vs Malawi / Tunisia vs Togo


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Af..._qualification


Team that have qualified for the Finals:
1) Co-host - Equatorial Guinea
2) Co-host - Gabon
3) Group A Winner -
4) Group B Winner -
5) Group C Winner -
6) Group D Winner -
7) Group E Winner - Senegal
8) Group F Winner - Burkina Faso
9) Group G Winner -
10) Group H Winner - Côte d'Ivoire
11) Group I Winner -
12) Group J Winner -
13) Group K Winner - Botswana
14) Group K Runner -
15) Group A~Group J Best RunnerUp 1 -
16) Group A~Group J Best RunnerUp 2 -

[joew2005]

Qualification

Group A
Mali P5 W3 D0 L2 GS7 GA4 GD+3 Pts=9
Zimbabwe P5 W2 D2 L1 GS6 GA3 GD+3 Pts=8
Cape Verde P5 W2 D1 L2 GS5 GA6 GD-1 Pts=7
Liberia P5 W1 D1 L3 GS5 GA10 GD-5 Pts=4

4 Sept 2011 : Zimbabwe 3-0 Liberia
7–9 Oct 2011 : Liberia vs Mali / Cape Verde vs Zimbabwe


Group B
Guinea P5 W4 D1 L0 GS11 GA3 GD+8 Pts=13
Nigeria P5 W3 D1 L1 GS10 GA3 GD+7 Pts=10
Ethiopia P5 W1 D1 L3 GS4 GA11 GD-7 Pts=4
Madagascar P5 W0 D1 L4 GS2 GA10 GD-8 Pts=1

4 Sept 2011 : Madagascar 0-2 Nigeria / Guinea 1-0 Ethiopia
7–9 Oct 2011 : Ethiopia vs Madagascar / Nigeria vs Guinea


Group C
Zambia P5 W4 D0 L1 GS11 GA2 GD+9 Pts=12
Libya P5 W4 D1 L0 GS6 GA1 GD+5 Pts=11
Mozambique P5 W1 D1 L3 GS1 GA6 GD-5 Pts=4
Comoros P5 W0 D1 L4 GS2 GA11 GD-9 Pts=1

4 Sept 2011 : Comoros 1-2 Zambia
7–9 Oct 2011 : Zambia vs Libya / Mozambique vs Comoros


Group D
Morocco P5 W2 D2 L1 GS5 GA1 GD+4 Pts=8
Central African Republic P5 W2 D2 L1 GS5 GA3 GD+2 Pts=8
Tanzania P5 W1 D2 L2 GS5 GA6 GS-1 Pts=5
Algeria P5 W1 D2 L2 GS3 GA8 GS-5 Pts=5

4 Sept 2011 : Central African Republic 0-0 Morocco
7–9 Oct 2011 : Morocco vs Tanzania / Algeria vs Central African Republic


Group E
Senegal P5 W4 D1 L0 GS14 GA2 GD+12 Pts=13
Cameroon P5 W2 D2 L1 GS9 GA3 GD+6 Pts=8
Congo DR P5 W2 D1 L2 GS8 GA8 GD0 Pts=7
Mauritius P5 W0 D0 L5 GS2 GA20 GD–18 Pts=0

7–9 Oct 2011 : Mauritius vs Senegal / Congo DR vs Cameroon


Group F
Burkina Faso P3 W3 D0 L0 GS11 GA2 GD+9 Pts=9
Gambia P3 W1 D0 L2 GS4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=3
Namibia P4 W1 D0 L3 GS3 GA11 GD–8 Pts=3

7–9 Oct 2011 : Gambia vs Burkina Faso


Group G
Niger P5 W3 D0 L2 GS6 GA5 GD+1 Pts=9
South Africa P5 W2 D2 L1 GS4 GA2 GD+2 Pts=8
Sierra Leone P5 W2 D2 L1 GS5 GA5 GD0 Pts=8
Egypt P5 W0 D2 L3 GS2 GA5 GD-3 Pts=2

4 Sept 2011 : Niger 2-1 South Africa
7 Oct 2011 : Egypt vs Niger
7–9 Oct 2011 : South Africa vs Sierra Leone


Group H
Côte d'Ivoire P5 W5 D0 L0 GS17 GA3 GD+14 Pts=15
Burundi P5 W1 D2 L2 GS6 GA7 GD-1 Pts=5
Benin P5 W1 D2 L2 GS8 GA10 GD-2 Pts=5
Rwanda P5 W1 D0 L4 GS4 GA15 GD–11 Pts=3

4 Sept 2011 : Burundi 1-1 Benin
7–9 Oct 2011 : Benin vs Rwanda / Côte d'Ivoire vs Burundi


Group I
Ghana P5 W4 D1 L0 GS11 GA1 GD+10 Pts=13
Sudan P5 W4 D1 L0 GS8 GA1 GD+7 Pts=13
Congo P5 W1 D0 L4 GS4 GA10 GD-6 Pts=3
Swaziland P5 W0 D0 L5 GS2 GA13 GD-11 Pts=0

4 Sept 2011 : Congo 0-1 Sudan
7–9 Oct 2011 : Swaziland vs Congo / Sudan vs Ghana


Group J
Uganda P5 W3 D1 L1 GS6 GA2 GD+4 Pts=10
Angola P5 W3 D0 L2 GS5 GA5 GD0 Pts=9
Kenya P5 W2 D1 L2 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts=7
Guinea-Bissau P5 W1 D0 L4 GS2 GA6 GD-4 Pts=3

4 Sept 2011 : Angola 2-0 Uganda
7–9 Oct 2011 : Uganda vs Kenya / Guinea-Bissau vs Angola


Group K
Botswana P8 W5 D2 L1 GS7 GA3 GD+4 Pts=17
Tunisia P7 W3 D2 L2 GS12 GA6 GD+6 Pts=11
Malawi P7 W2 D5 L0 GS11 GA6 GD+5 Pts=11
Togo P7 W1 D3 L3 GS6 GA8 GD−2 Pts=5
Chad P7 W0 D2 L5 GS5 GA18 GD−12 Pts=2

4 Sept 2011 : Togo 1-0 Botswana
7–9 Oct 2011 : Chad vs Malawi / Tunisia vs Togo


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Af..._qualification


Team that have qualified for the Finals:
1) Co-host - Equatorial Guinea
2) Co-host - Gabon
3) Group A Winner -
4) Group B Winner -
5) Group C Winner -
6) Group D Winner -
7) Group E Winner - Senegal
8) Group F Winner - Burkina Faso
9) Group G Winner -
10) Group H Winner - Côte d'Ivoire
11) Group I Winner -
12) Group J Winner -
13) Group K Winner - Botswana
14) Group K Runner -
15) Group A~Group J Best RunnerUp 1 -
16) Group A~Group J Best RunnerUp 2 -

[joew2005]

Qualification

Group A
Mali P5 W3 D0 L2 GS7 GA4 GD+3 Pts=9
Zimbabwe P5 W2 D2 L1 GS6 GA3 GD+3 Pts=8
Cape Verde P5 W2 D1 L2 GS5 GA6 GD-1 Pts=7
Liberia P5 W1 D1 L3 GS5 GA10 GD-5 Pts=4

7–9 Oct 2011 : Liberia vs Mali / Cape Verde vs Zimbabwe

Winner - Mali,Zimbabwe & Liberia all still k win tis group.
The last time Mali vs Liberia, Mali won 2-1 only.
The last time Zimbabwe vs Cape Verde, it ended nil-nil.


Group B
Guinea P5 W4 D1 L0 GS11 GA3 GD+8 Pts=13
Nigeria P5 W3 D1 L1 GS10 GA3 GD+7 Pts=10
Ethiopia P5 W1 D1 L3 GS4 GA11 GD-7 Pts=4
Madagascar P5 W0 D1 L4 GS2 GA10 GD-8 Pts=1

7–9 Oct 2011 : Ethiopia vs Madagascar / Nigeria vs Guinea

Winner - Either Guinea or Nigeria.
The last time Guinea vs Nigeria, Guinea won it 1-nil.


Group C
Zambia P5 W4 D0 L1 GS11 GA2 GD+9 Pts=12
Libya P5 W4 D1 L0 GS6 GA1 GD+5 Pts=11
Mozambique P5 W1 D1 L3 GS1 GA6 GD-5 Pts=4
Comoros P5 W0 D1 L4 GS2 GA11 GD-9 Pts=1

7–9 Oct 2011 : Zambia vs Libya / Mozambique vs Comoros

Winner - Either Zambia or Libya.
The last time Libya vs Zambia, Libya won it 1-nil.


Group D
Morocco P5 W2 D2 L1 GS5 GA1 GD+4 Pts=8
Central African Republic P5 W2 D2 L1 GS5 GA3 GD+2 Pts=8
Tanzania P5 W1 D2 L2 GS5 GA6 GS-1 Pts=5
Algeria P5 W1 D2 L2 GS3 GA8 GS-5 Pts=5

7–9 Oct 2011 : Morocco vs Tanzania / Algeria vs Central African Republic

Winner - Either Morocco or CAR.
The last time Tanzania vs Morocco, Morocco won it 1-nil.
The last time CAR vs Algeria, CAR won it 2-nil.


Group E
Senegal P5 W4 D1 L0 GS14 GA2 GD+12 Pts=13
Cameroon P5 W2 D2 L1 GS9 GA3 GD+6 Pts=8
Congo DR P5 W2 D1 L2 GS8 GA8 GD0 Pts=7
Mauritius P5 W0 D0 L5 GS2 GA20 GD–18 Pts=0

7–9 Oct 2011 : Mauritius vs Senegal / Congo DR vs Cameroon

Winner - Senegal.
Both Congo DR & Cameroon r alrdy Eliminated from qualifiers.
The last time they meet, it ended 1-all.


Group F
Burkina Faso P3 W3 D0 L0 GS11 GA2 GD+9 Pts=9
Gambia P3 W1 D0 L2 GS4 GA5 GD-1 Pts=3
Namibia P4 W1 D0 L3 GS3 GA11 GD–8 Pts=3

7–9 Oct 2011 : Gambia vs Burkina Faso

Winner - Burkina Faso.
Gambia k still qualify, depending on the result of their last game against Burkina Faso.
The last time they meet, Burkina Faso won 3-1.


Group G
Niger P5 W3 D0 L2 GS6 GA5 GD+1 Pts=9
South Africa P5 W2 D2 L1 GS4 GA2 GD+2 Pts=8
Sierra Leone P5 W2 D2 L1 GS5 GA5 GD0 Pts=8
Egypt P5 W0 D2 L3 GS2 GA5 GD-3 Pts=2

7 Oct 2011 : Egypt vs Niger
7–9 Oct 2011 : South Africa vs Sierra Leone

Winner - Either Niger, South Africa or Sierra Leone.
The last time Niger vs Egypt, Niger won 1-nil.
The last time Sierra Leone vs South Africa, it ended nil-nil.


Group H
Côte d'Ivoire P5 W5 D0 L0 GS17 GA3 GD+14 Pts=15
Burundi P5 W1 D2 L2 GS6 GA7 GD-1 Pts=5
Benin P5 W1 D2 L2 GS8 GA10 GD-2 Pts=5
Rwanda P5 W1 D0 L4 GS4 GA15 GD–11 Pts=3

7–9 Oct 2011 : Benin vs Rwanda / Côte d'Ivoire vs Burundi

Winner - Ivory Coast.
Burundi still k qualify 4 the finals,depending on their last game against Ivory Coast.
The last time Burundi vs Ivory Coast, Ivory Coast won 1-nil.


Group I
Ghana P5 W4 D1 L0 GS11 GA1 GD+10 Pts=13
Sudan P5 W4 D1 L0 GS8 GA1 GD+7 Pts=13
Congo P5 W1 D0 L4 GS4 GA10 GD-6 Pts=3
Swaziland P5 W0 D0 L5 GS2 GA13 GD-11 Pts=0

7–9 Oct 2011 : Swaziland vs Congo / Sudan vs Ghana

Winner - Either Ghana or Sudan.
The last time Ghana vs Sudan, it ended nil-nil.


Group J
Uganda P5 W3 D1 L1 GS6 GA2 GD+4 Pts=10
Angola P5 W3 D0 L2 GS5 GA5 GD0 Pts=9
Kenya P5 W2 D1 L2 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts=7
Guinea-Bissau P5 W1 D0 L4 GS2 GA6 GD-4 Pts=3

7–9 Oct 2011 : Uganda vs Kenya / Guinea-Bissau vs Angola

Winner - Either Uganda, Angola or Kenya.
The last time Kenya vs Uganda, it ended nil-nil.
The last time Angola vs Guinea-Bissau, Angola won it 1-nil.


Group K
Botswana P8 W5 D2 L1 GS7 GA3 GD+4 Pts=17
Tunisia P7 W3 D2 L2 GS12 GA6 GD+6 Pts=11
Malawi P7 W2 D5 L0 GS11 GA6 GD+5 Pts=11
Togo P7 W1 D3 L3 GS6 GA8 GD−2 Pts=5
Chad P7 W0 D2 L5 GS5 GA18 GD−12 Pts=2

7–9 Oct 2011 : Chad vs Malawi / Tunisia vs Togo

Winner - Botswana.
The runner-up spot is a fight betw Tunisia & Malawi.
The last time Malawi vs Chad, Malawi won it 6-2.
The last time Togo vs Tunisia, Tunisia won it 2-1.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Af..._qualification


Team that have qualified for the Finals:
1) Co-host - Equatorial Guinea
2) Co-host - Gabon
3) Group A Winner -
4) Group B Winner -
5) Group C Winner -
6) Group D Winner -
7) Group E Winner - Senegal
8) Group F Winner - Burkina Faso
9) Group G Winner -
10) Group H Winner - Côte d'Ivoire
11) Group I Winner -
12) Group J Winner -
13) Group K Winner - Botswana
14) Group K Runner -
15) Group A~Group J Best RunnerUp 1 -
16) Group A~Group J Best RunnerUp 2 -