Johannesburg: Inspired by current and former Chelsea midfielders Victor Moses and John Mikel Obi, Nigeria triumphed 4-0 in Uyo and drew 1-1 in Yaounde to end the Cameroon challenge to make the World Cup finals in Russia next summer.
Germany-born Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr does not expect another multi-goal romp against Zambia on Saturday, who would draw level at the top of Group B 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 said, fully aware that victory would book their place in Russia.
“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.
“I believe Algeria underestimated them and we dare not make the same mistake. Zambia have introduced some of the African youth championship-winning team with good effect.
“It is nice that we have control of our destiny — a win takes us to Russia. The players, my technical staff and I are totally focused on that objective.”
Tunisia travel to Guinea with a three-point advantage over DR Congo having taken four points in back-to-back matches between the countries last month.
But the “Carthage Eagles” have a woeful record in Conakry, losing four previous World Cup qualifiers in the West African coastal city.
Libya host DR Congo in Tunisia for security reasons and the Congolese hope Cedric Bakambu can transfer his Spanish club form to North Africa.
The striker scored a hat-trick for Villarreal last weekend — his first in La Liga — and is overdue some World Cup goals.
Egypt have nine points in Group E, two ahead of Uganda and four in front of Ghana as they hope to end a long-running World Cup nightmare.
The last of two appearances at the tournament was in 1990 with the record seven-time African champions suffering several heartbreaking failures since.
Despite three withdrawals through injury, Argentina-born coach Hector Cuper can call on a formidable mix of local and Europe-based talent.
Centre-back Ahmad Hegazy, midfielders Mohammad Elneny and Ramadan Sobhy and striker Mohammad Salah are with English Premier League outfits.
Saudi Arabia-based goalkeeper Essam Al Hadary is 44 and set to become the oldest footballer to play at a World Cup if the “Pharaohs” qualify.
Group D is tight with only one point separating Burkina Faso from third-place Senegal with Cape Verde in between.
South Africa are five points behind the front-runners having had a victory over Senegal annulled due to manipulation by a Ghanaian referee, who has been banned for life.
Ivory Coast, seeking a fourth consecutive World Cup qualification, are one point ahead of Morocco and two above Gabon in Group C.
The Ivorians are away to Mali Friday in the first of 10 fixtures scheduled for the weekend while Morocco host Gabon in Rabat.
