Former Wigan striker Zaki, right, is optimistic about Egypt's chances [EPA]

Egypt are three points behind Algeria in Group C with two games remaining.

If the Group is not decided this weekend, Egypt then meet Algeria in Cairo next month.

Egypt striker Amr Zaki was hopeful: "Egypt has not had a generation of players like this for a very long time," he said.

"This generation has been together for six years now and has gained great confidence from winning the African Cup in 2006 and 2008.''

Egypt last qualified for the World Cup in 1990, while Algeria's last appearance was four years earlier in 1986.

Poor start

Egypt's qualifying bid got off to a bad start after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Rwanda and then lost 3-1 in Algeria – who host Rwanda on Sunday and will qualify if they better Egypt's result.

"There are six points to play for. That is all we are thinking about,'' said Zaki, who scored his 27th goal for Egypt in a recent friendly against Mauritius.

"We're not looking at goal difference, our aim is just to win the remaining matches in our group.''

Ghana are already through and there are four places still technically up for grabs.

Although Ivory Coast need a point from their remaining two games, they have a hugely better goal difference than Burkina Faso.

Didier Drogba's free-scoring Ivory Coast team are averaging nearly four goals per game and have won their four matches so far in Group E. The Ivorians travel to Blantyre on Saturday to face last-place Malawi.

Cameroon, meanwhile, have enjoyed a stunning change in fortune under coach
Paul Le Guen, who revived the Indomitable Lions with back-to-back wins against Gabon last month.

Confident Cameroon

Cameroon lead Group A, a point ahead of Gabon, and the team will be confident of taking a step closer to South Africa by beating Togo in Yaounde on Saturday.

"Le Guen is a very professional coach and very knowledgeable when it comes to modern football,'' Cameroon striker Pierre Webo said.

"The important thing isn't just that we won against Gabon, but that we played great football, too.''

Cameroon is even more determined to qualify after missing out on the last World Cup in Germany.

"That failure was felt throughout the country, and now the entire nation is excited about going to South Africa next year,'' Webo said.

"We're very conscious of what we're playing for.''

In Group B, Tunisia will qualify by beating Kenya in Rades on Sunday if Nigeria fail to beat Mozambique in Abuja the same day.

Ghana can relax at Group D rival Benin in Cotonou on Sunday, while Mali host Sudan in Bamako. In Sunday's other game, Guinea plays Burkina Faso in Group E.

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