There are 40 teams in Africa that can potentially qualify for the World Cup in 2014. The second round of qualifying consists of 10 groups of four teams with the winners advancing to the third round. Over the next few days all 10 of these groups will be previewed here, so let's start with group A.
Botswana
FIFA Rank: 106th
CAF Rank: 27th
2010 Qualifying Result: Eliminated in round two, finishing last in group with five points from six games
Botswana is coming off qualifying for its first major international tournament after reaching the 2012 African Cup of Nations. They accomplished this feat by finishing atop of a qualifying group that included Tunisia, Malawi, Togo and Chad.
However, they could not duplicate this success in the tournament and went out quietly during the group stage, losing all three matches to Ghana, Mali and Guinea. The side only managed two goals in the competition, from Dipsy Selolwane and Mogakolodi Ngele
Most players called into the national team ply their trade in the local domestic league which is not one of the stronger leagues in the continent. A few though, such as Selolwane play in neighboring South Africa's domestic league, which is one of the strongest.
Recently the national side has struggled with only one win in its previous nine games. Despite that, this is one of the weaker groups in this round and Botswana has a slight, although highly unlikely, chance of topping the group.
Central African Republic
FIFA Rank: 123rd
CAF Rank: 37th
2010 Qualifying Result: Withdrew prior to the beginning of qualifying
The Central African Republic has never qualified for a FIFA tournament and is perhaps more known for withdrawing from qualifying than its performances. The nation has also been disqualified three times during qualifying for either the World Cup or the African Cup of Nations for such reasons as not paying an entry fee and government interference.
As recently as early 2010, the side was ranked in the 200s in the FIFA World Rankings. They have risen up to 123rd now thanks to their performance in qualifying for the 2012 African Cup of Nations where despite not reaching the tournament, the side placed second in its qualifying group, even finishing ahead of typical African powerhouse Algeria.
The players for the national squad play for club teams all over Africa and Europe. The star player for the side appears to be 22-year-old striker Momi Hilaire who plays for Le Mans in Ligue 2.
There is almost no hope of the Central African Republic winning this group and its best hope may be fighting it out to avoid placing bottom in the group.
Ethiopia
FIFA Rank: 138th
CAF Rank: 41st
2010 Qualifying Result: Thrown out by FIFA during the second round
Ethiopia was one of the 24 teams that had to compete in the first round of CAF qualifying. They advanced by defeating Somalia 5-0 on aggregate in a home and away series.
The country is trying to claw its way back toward competitiveness after being suspended by FIFA twice in recent years due to government interference with the football federation. This prevented the side from partaking in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and that year's African Cup of Nations.
While Ethiopia has never reached the World Cup, the national team has found some success in the African Cup of Nations, although that came a long time ago. They won the 1962 tournament and finished second in the first edition way back in 1957. Ethiopia has not made the competition since 1982.
Almost every player for the national side plays in the domestic league which is typically dominated by Defence FC, Saint George FC and current champion Ethiopian Coffee FC.
Ethiopia has little likelihood of progressing to the next round and will be scratching for any point they can get.
South Africa
FIFA Rank: 67th
CAF Rank: 14th
2010 Qualifying Result: Qualified has host
The hosts of the 2010 World Cup must attempt to qualify for this edition and are the clear favorite in this group.
Recently the national squad suffered the disappointment of not reaching the African Cup Of Nations after finishing tied with Niger for the top spot, but missing out on a tiebreaker. Since then, South Africa has drawn with Equatorial Guinea and Senegal in friendly matches.
Although they became the first host nation to fail to make the knockout stages of the World Cup in 2010, the team did impress with its performance against France and Mexico in group play. Most of that squad, including Siphiwe Tshabalala and Steven Pienaar in the midfield, will be called on to help win this group.
South Africa should be able to win this group without too much difficulty, however its failure to make the 2012 African Cup of Nations is a cause of concern.
Prediction
South Africa's strength will be too much for the other squads to overcome.
1. South Africa
2. Botswana
3. Central African Republic
4. Ethiopia
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