Ziese's eyes on Rwanda-Uganda

Newly-assigned Black Stars coach, Burkhard Ziese is in Kigali to watch this weekend's Group 13, 2004 Nations Cup qualifying match between Rwanda and Uganda.

The trip is to enable the German learn at first hand the opposition he and his charges face when they take on the two countries in separate matches in the return legs of the qualifiers.

The Kigali match which is one of the several qualifiers being played around the continent this weekend is of particular interest to the Stars' coach because Ghana's qualification for the Tunisian game hangs on a thin line.

The Stars lost the first leg against Uganda 0-1 and beat Rwanda 4-2 in Accra. The Stars would need to win the remaining matches if they are to pick the single slot from the group. Only the winners of the 13 grouped-teams would qualify for the competition, a break from the past where the winners and runners represented.

While the continent gets busy with the qualifiers, attention will also be focused to Tunisia where the Stars are participating in a special four-nation tournament which includes African champions, Cameroun, Madagascar and hosts, Tunisia.

In a surprise twist of events, Nigeria's Super Eagles are trailing Malawi in the group after the Malawans won their opening match against Angola while the Eagles managed a draw against Angola. The Nigerians now need to win this weekend's match against Malawi if their dream is to get back on course.

Madagascar are also the surprise leaders in Group 10 which has Egypt and Mauritius. The Egyptian Pharaohs will play Mauritius in a do-and-die affair as a slip could end their Nations Cup dreams. Both teams are yet to win a match in the group. Madagascar, which defeated visiting Egypt 1-0 and Mauritius 1-0 at home, would play their next matches away to Egypt in June.

Liberia, after announcing their withdrawal from all international events due to financial reasons, are back to compete by a Presidential intervention and travel to Adis Ababa unsure of what to expect.

It is an open group with Guinea, Niger, other members of the group three points apiece but seperated by goal difference. Who ever win in this weekend's duels, could move to the top. Niger are hosts of Guinea.

Zimbabwe may be looking forward to their first Nations Cup appearance if they maintain their unbeaten record against Seychelles in Harare. The South Africans have not lost a match in the two matches played so far and a win against Seychelles would increase their point build-up to nine.