Egypt look to maintain World Cup qualifying pace

JOHANNESBURG,(Reuters) - African champions Egypt look to secure a third
consecutive victory in World Cup qualifying but will have to make do
with a patched up strike force to beat Malawi away on Saturday.


Egypt lead a list of heavyweight contenders who can take a
step closer to advancing from the first phase of African qualifiers for
the 2010 finals. Angola, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali and Nigeria are all away
this weekend as they seek to maintain their 100 percent starts to the
first round group phase.


Egypt''s Group 12 hopes have been hit by the withdrawal of
striker Emad Moteab with a neck injury and lingering concerns over the
fitness of Amr Zaki (knee).


Hamburg striker Mohamed Zidan has already been suspended by
the Egyptians, who believe he faked injury to pull out of the
month-long series of World Cup qualifiers.


A total of 23 World Cup qualifying matches are scheduled
across the continent as 47 teams chase 20 places in the final group
phase later this year. The 12 group winners and eight best
second-placed finishers advance.


Angola go into their Group Three qualifier against Uganda with
concerns over the fitness of striker Flavio and winger Gilberto, while
Mali meet Sudan without injured Juventus midfielder Momo Sissoko and
defender Souleymane Diamoutene.