25 March 2011
We will bring you live coverage of all the goals as they go in around the continent on both Saturday and Sunday!
– Mali v Zimbabwe, 27 March
– Cape Verde Islands v Liberia, 27 March
The tiny island of Cape Verde are sitting proudly atop Group A of the qualifying tournament for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and they could consolidate their lead with a win in Praia over Liberia at the weekend.
The unfancied islanders, who famously held Portugal to a 0-0 draw in a pre-2010 World Cup, are unbeaten after two rounds of matches in a group that also includes Zimbabwe and Mali.
The Blue Sharks shocked star-studded Mali 1-0 at home in their opening qualifier in September, before they achieved a heart-warming goalless draw away in Zimbabwe a month later.
Their most experienced player is 36-year-old forward Lito, who features for Portimonense in the Portuguese top flight after playing in the various tiers of the game in Portugal.
Several of their players are based in Spain and Portugal, colonial masters of the West African island until 1975.
They have four points, a point ahead of Mali, who host Zimbabwe in Bamako in the other match of this group.
Their opponents this weekend, the Lone Star of Liberia have replaced Hungarian coach Bertalan Bicskei with 55-year-old Italian Roberto Landi.
Landi is not worried his team are away to Cape Verde for his first game in charge.
Whether we are playing home or away I see no big difference. With my philosophy, I play every game to win. My philosophy is like this, as a player and as a coach, I want to win, he said.
There is a psychological stress when playing away for the players and that is what I dont like players to develop, but we can produce better results. Away or at home it is just 11 players on each team and one referee that is all. What is needed is just focus.
The Eagles of Mali, who were knocked out in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola, are aiming to fulfil their immense potentials under Frenchman Alain Giresse, who until recently was in charge of Gabon.
Giresse, who has openly revealed his frustration with the disorganisation in the management of Malian football, has sensationally dropped Barcelona star and former skipper Seydou Keita from the visit of the warriors from Harare.
The face of Malian football Mahamadou Diarra is back playing regular first-team football with French club AS Monaco after an unhappy time at Spanish giants Real Madrid.
However, the Eagles have been ravaged by last-minute withdrawals.
Bulgaria-based striker Garra Dembele has pulled out so as to be by the side of his sick wife, while Cedric Kante, Kalifa Cisse and Sigamary Diarra are unavailable on account of injuries.
Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga, 23, has returned to the team. He made his debut four years, but he has not been a permanent fixture of the team. However, his recent great form in front of goal for his French club has caught the attention of the national team selectors again.
Join My MTNFootball now you can make friends, join groups, have discussions and upload your own photos! Its all there! Its a great new way to interact with fellow footie fans online. Click here to register now.
