By David Gold
April 14 – Giant killers Tanzania will have to repeat their stunning heroics against Cameroon in the last round of African qualifiers for the 2012 Olympic Football tournament if they are to keep their hopes alive of playing in London next year, after being drawn against Nigeria.
The Tanzanians saw off the challenge of Cameroon on penalties after the pair traded 2-1 victories in their two legged encounter.
They will relish the prospect of taking on 1996 Olympic champions Nigeria, who were in ruthless form to demolish Equatorial Guinea 9-1 on aggregate in the last round.
Sudan, who also produced a shock in the last round to knock out Ghana, will have a similarly tough opponent in the form of African Nations’ Cup holders Egypt.
But the Egyptians will be wary of Sudan, after having required a late, late goal to knock out Botswana in the last round.
Ivory Coast, who are yet to play their second leg against Liberia but hold a 4-0 lead from the first leg, will take on Congo if they progress.
World Cup 2010 qualifier Algeria will face Zambia in another intriguing tussle, whilst South Africa will be favourites to knock out Benin.
Tunisia will play Senegal in what promises to be one of the closest ties of the round; the only game the two countries have played in competitive football was in the 2008 African Nations Cup, when they played out a draw.
In the other ties, another difficult to predict encounter sees Mali face Gabon, and Morocco will be favourites to progress against DR Congo.
The first legs will be played between June 3 and 5, with the returns taking place from June 17-19.
The eight winners will progress to a group stage, where two groups of four teams will compete for a place at London 2012.
The two group winners will progress, with the two runners up playing off for a place at the Olympics.
But the losing team will have another chance to compete at the Games, if they can overcome a represenative from the Asian confederation in a second play off.
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