World Cup 2018: Big names seek redemption as qualifying starts

Nigeria will look to Ahmed Musa (right) to inspire them to victory

Nigeria and South Africa are among the big names aiming to put aside Africa Cup of Nations disappointment and make a strong start to 2018 World Cup qualifying.

The Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana will be notable absentees from next year’s Nations Cup finals in Gabon.

Both are former African champions and will want to seek redemption by filling two of the five African places at the next World Cup in Russia.

Five four-team mini-leagues will decide the African entrants, with the winners of each booking their place.

Five-time World Cup qualifiers Nigeria have a tough task after being placed with Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia.

They kick off their campaign against Zambia on Sunday and have already been warned by the opposition that they will not finds it easy.

This weekend’s African qualifiers for 2108 World CupGhana v Uganda – Group E (16:30, Fri)Senegal v Cape Verde – Group D (21:00, Sat)Gabon v Morocco – Group C (16:00, Sat)Zambia v Nigeria – Group B (13:30, Sun)DR Congo v Libya – Group A (18:30, Sat)Congo v Egypt – Group E (15:30, Sun)Ivory Coast v Mali – Group C (19:00, Sat)Tunisia v Guinea – Group A (18:00, Sun)Burkina Faso v South Africa – Group D (19:00, Sat)Algeria v Cameroon – Group B (20:30, Sun)

Veteran Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene has rejected media suggestions that the Chipolopolo are in Group B just to make up the numbers.

“When the media say you are no-hopers and certain to finish last, that motivates you,” he said …

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