Another World Cup qualifying double round starts this weekend. After Wednesday, Oct. 14, only the Africa, which will have one round remaining, and the playoffs will be left to determine the field for South Africa.
    We'll take the next three days to preview what's at stake around the world.
    This morning it's Africa and the Asia/Oceania playoff.

    In Africa one spot has already been decided, Ghana qualifying out of Group D.
    By Saturday night the Cote d'Ivoire should join them, needing only a point off a visit to Malawi to wrap up the spot from Group E. If Malawi upsets the Ivoriens' plans they could still qualify on Sunday if Burkina Faso fails to win at Guinea. With a six-point gap between Didier Drogba's bunch and Burkina it's likely just a matter of time anyway.
    The other three African sections are up for grabs.
    In Group A Cameroon is home to Togo while Gabon hosts Morocco. Cameroon can qualify if they get a win and Morocco upsets Gabon. Gabon needs to get no worse than draw to remain alive into the final round on November 14. Morocco, which once ranked with Cameroon as an African "regular" in the finals needs a miracle, but even the current fourth-placed team in this section has a mathematical chance.
    Group B looks like going to Tunisia unless the North Africans spit the bit in their final two games. They came away from their trip to Nigeria with a two point lead over the Super Eagles. Both are home this weekend, Tunisia hosting bottom-placed Kenya while Nigeria has a visit from Mozambique. Tunisia can qualify with a win coupled with a draw or loss by the Super Eagles, but it's more likely that the section will remain undecided until the last day.
    Group C is full of intrigue because two-time African champion Egypt clings to their slim qualifying chances. They must win in Zambia on Saturday to keep alive the hope of a final round showdown, but anything less than a victory will open the door for Algeria to clinch a spot in South Africa against Rwanda on Sunday.

    The first leg of the first playoff that sends a team directly to the finals will be held Saturday in Manama, Bahrain where the Asian playoff winners host Oceania champ New Zealand. You'd have to think that Bahrain needs not only to win but to score a couple at home because the Kiwis, while hardly impressive in the recent Confederations Cup, do have the second leg at home.

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