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World Cup preview (09.10.2004)
A catalogue of injuries will sideline some the continent`s top players in Saturday`s 2006 World Cup qualifying games.
Nigeria will play Gabon in a Group Four game in Libreville without captain Jay-Jay Okocha and Inter Milan striker Obafemi Martins.
Okocha, who also captains English Premiership side Bolton, aggravated a groin injury in a game against West Bromwich Albion last weekend.
Martins, who made his debut for Nigeria in May, damaged the membrane between the tibia and fibula of his right foot whilst playing for Inter against AS Roma.
Injury has also kept strikers Julius Aghahowa and John Utaka out of the trip to Gabon.
Nigeria lead the group with nine points while Gabon, who have been reinforced by Portugal-based striker Henri Antchouet, are third with five.
Antchouet, who plays for Belenenses, missed the last game in Algeria due to poor travel arrangements.
Algeria, who face Rwanda in another Group Four game in Kigali, is without banned striker Abdelmalek Cherrad and three other players.
Already out of contention for a World Cup place, a win over Rwanda would restore their qualification hopes for the 2006 Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The top three teams in the five World Cup qualifying groups go to the Cup of Nations.
Tunisia also have to cope with a long list of injured players, as they take on Malawi in a Group Five game in Blantyre.
/> Roger Lemerre, the French coach of the African Champions, will have to do without Seif Ghezal, Mohamed Jedidi, Hatem Trabelsi and Karim Hagui.
Suspended for the game is Jose Clayton, who was sent off in the last game against Morocco in Rabat.
But defender Karim Saidi, who was initially declared unfit with a shoulder injury, has recovered.
Tunisia is in third place, with four points after three games, while Malawi are at the bottom of the table.
Botswana will host Kenya in the other Group Five game being played on Saturday.
Cameroon face Sudan in Group Three without striker Samuel Eto`o.
The 2003 African Footballer of the Year Samuel has returned to Spain, after taking ill.
He had been hospitalised in France and is expected to have a few days off before he is fit to return to club duty.
Sudan, at the bottom of the table, aim to frustrate the Indomitable Lions plans of reclaiming the lead in the group by getting a home win.
Cape Verde also face the task of improving their Group Two fortunes when they take on Burkina Faso in Praia.
Saturday`s match schedule (all times are in GMT)
Group Two
Cape Verde Islands v Burkina Faso - 1700
Group Three
Sudan v Cameroon - 1730
Group Four
Rwanda v Algeria - 1400
Gabon v Nigeria - 1500
Group Five
Malawi v Tunisia - 1300 Botswana v Kenya - 1400
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