23 March 2011
We will bring you live coverage of all the goals as they go in around the continent on both Saturday and Sunday!
– Tanzania v Central African Republic, 27 March, Dar Es Salaam
– Algeria v Morocco, 27 March, Annaba
The North African derby between Algeria and Morocco in Annaba on Sunday is the highlight of Group Ds action in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying this weekend.
The match is the first competitive outing for the Atlas Lions under new coach Eric Gerets, with the Belgian hoping that his policy of selecting exciting young talent pays dividends in this grudge match.
Arguably the most promising of the new coachs protgs is Montpellier playmaker Younes Belhanda, a 21-year-old who picked Morocco over France last year and made his international debut against Northern Ireland in November.
“Youd have thought hed been playing international football for years”, said Gerets after Belhandas debut.
The Belgian is also hoping that this derby is not marred by its usual tensions: “This is just a football game It should not come out of its sports frame.”
Algeria find themselves bottom of the group and in desperate need of a win to kick-start their campaign. Coach Abdelhak Benchikha is not panicking at the Desert Foxes present predicament, and is confident of picking up the three points.
“I (have) a good idea on the Moroccan selection and I know each of its players,” said Benchikha at a recent press conference in Algiers.
“I recognise this is a strong team but we will fight. Victory is crucial for us,” he added.
While the North African derby will undoubtedly grab the headlines, Group D leaders Central African Republic are away to Tanzania in an equally significant match.
Les Fauves had been hit by the resignation of coach Jules Accorsi, but the Frenchman made a U-turn on his decision and will take his place on the visitors bench in Dar Es Salaam on Sunday.
CAR have claimed four points from their skirmishes with the North African pair in the group, so they will be confident of another positive result against the Taifa Stars.
Tanzania coach Jan Poulsen has gone for a somewhat surprising mix in his squad, recalling previously out-of-favour players such as Mwinyi Kazimoto and Shabaan Dihile while leaving out the likes of Gaudence Mwaikimba and Musa Hassan, who have been regular scorers in the countrys top flight.
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