The look at the second round of African qualifying continues with group B.
Cape Verde
FIFA Rank: 76th
CAF Rank: 16th
2010 Qualifying Result: Eliminated in the second round with nine points from six group games
This small island nation has the potential to be one of the surprises of qualifying. Although they do not have any household names, most players ply their trade in the Portuguese league. They are also a relatively young squad, with many members in their early 20s.
Having never qualified for a FIFA tournament, winning this group would be a massive achievement for such a small nation. The nation has set its sights on having a productive campaign, but its main target is qualifying for the 2013 African Cup of Nations.
They got off to a roaring start in qualifying for that tournament, thanks to a 4-0 rout of Madagascar back in February. The side is in excellent form at the moment and has all the makings of a sleeper team in this group.
Equatorial Guinea
FIFA Rank: 103rd
CAF Rank: 23rd
2010 Qualifying Result: Eliminated in the second round with three points from six group games
One of the co-hosts of the 2012 African Cup of Nations, Equatorial Guinea will be looking to build on its success in that tournament. The side progressed out of a tough group, placing second with triumphs over Libya and Senegal. In the quarterfinals, Equatorial Guinea was roughed up by powerhouse Ivory Coast and fell 3-0.
Prior to that tournament, the team had to partake in the first round of World Cup qualifying, due to its low ranking at the time. They were able to sneak by Madagascar on a 3-2 aggregate victory thanks to the strength of a 2-0 home leg victory.
A highly unknown squad, most players play their club football in the lower leagues of Spain. This includes main danger man Iban Iyanga, or Randy as he is called, who is a member of Las Palmas in the Segunda Division. This squad of no-names will hope to maintain the form they found in the Cup of Nations in January to top this group.
Sierra Leone
FIFA Rank: 61st
CAF Rank: 11th
2010 Qualifying Result: Eliminated in the second round with seven points from six group games
The Leone Stars for the first time have legitimate hope of making the World Cup and will be happy not to have been paired with one of the elite teams in Africa such as Cameroon or Nigeria.
Despite never making the World Cup, Sierra Leone has reached two African Cup of Nations in the 1990s, being knocked out in the group stages. After civil war ravaged the country around the turn of the century, the country's football went into to turmoil. However, the last five years have resulted in the national side coming close to reaching the glory days of the 1990s for the federation.
Sierra Leone's squad is comprised of players from club teams all throughout the world. Perhaps its best player, Kei Kamara, is a striker for the best team in Major League Soccer, Sporting Kansas City. Young midfielder Rodney Strasser is an important part of the squad and plays for Lecce in Serie A.
Tunisia
FIFA Rank: 56th
CAF Rank: 8th
2010 Qualifying Result: Eliminated in round three with 11 points from six group games
Tunisia was in prime position to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. The side needed to win its final group game, away to lowly Mozambique in order to reach the tournament. However, Tunisia had its hearts broken and fell 1-0 after conceding a late goal and instead had to watch as Nigeria took its spot in South Africa.
One of the most successful African nations, Tunisia has reached four World Cups and had qualified for the previous three editions before failing to reach South Africa. The side only has one victory in 12 World Cup games, a 3-1 success in 1978 against Mexico.
On its own continent, Tunisia has reached 14 African Cup of Nations tournaments, and took him the trophy in 2004 when it hosted the tournament. In the 2012 edition, the side went out in the quarterfinals after a 2-1 defeat to Ghana.
Tunisia's domestic league is one of the strongest in Africa and most members called in to the squad do play their football within the country. The two stars up front however, play abroad. Sami Allagui is a member of Mainz in Germany and Issam Jemaa plays for Brest in France.
Prediction
This is really anyone's group and should be the most exciting race throughout this round of African qualifying. Sierra Leone in the end will continue its resurgence and move onward.
1. Sierra Leone
2. Tunisia
3. Cape Verde
4. Equatorial Guinea
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