By Zainab Joaque

Now, that the World Cup 2014 qualifiers have taken a break till March next year when Sierra Leone will play away to the Les Aigles de Carthage (The Eagles of Carthage) of Tunisia, who secured a hundred percent record in their first two matches, Leone Stars are currently lying second in Group B with four points.

According to records the North Africans came within ten minutes of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa and have been building a new team since. Tunisia lead Group B in the third round qualifications, gaining two draws against Nigeria and two wins over Kenya, but lost their final game in the group 1-0 to Mozambique, while Nigeria beat Kenya 3-2 to top the group by a single point.

Tunisia’s ambitions of reaching the World Cup finals for the fifth time were handed a boost at the preliminary draw in Rio de Janeiro as they were paired against Sierra Leone, Cape Verde Islands and Equatorial Guinea who beat Madagascar in the first round.

But the June 9 encounters were not all trouble. Tunisia made clear statements of intent by winning 2-1 away to Cape Verde; this defeat left the Blue Sharks tattered after a shock 2-1 loss away to Sierra Leone and a repeat of that result at home.

Sierra Leone made an impressive start away by taking a point from fumbling Equatorial Guinea in Malabo, leaving the Nzalang Nacioanal perching with one points from two matches.

The Group B tie in March next year between Sierra Leone and Tunisia has the potential to deliver an early verdict. With six points from two games, it is difficult not to see the Eagles of Carthage blessed with such a wealth of football treasures at their disposal- extend their lead in Tunis.

But it is not all signed, sealed and delivered, not when Leone Stars are such a slippery side, after proving their disposition away in Malabo, the Stars seem to have grown even more in status by holding star-studded Equatorial Guinea to a draw.

Tunisia might have struggled over the last year in the latest AFCON qualifying campaign and had their domestic league interrupted by the country’s political revolution, but they have a strong pedigree in FIFA World Cup qualifiers stretching as far back as 1962. A generation is being molded by Samir Trabelsi, the fourth coach in charge of the side since the disappointment of missing out on South Africa 2010.

Should the Tunisians blunder, however, they may find themselves struggling against ambitious Sierra Leone, who are dogged and determined to book a space in the third rounds.

Cape Verde’s World Cup hopes are on a knife-edge after two successive defeats, making qualification in Group B look like a two horse race between Tunisia and Sierra Leone. Though Equatorial Guinea are trying to consolidate their position when they fight it out with the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde, Tunisia, with six points from two games and who face Sierra Leone, pose a bigger threat to the West African’s World Cup Campaigns.

Since the France 98 qualifiers, Sierra Leone has proven that they are capable of qualifying for the continents prestigious tournament. In that event, they finished in a group above Ghana, while four years later; they famously beat Nigeria by a 1-0 score. There was a dip in 2006 that saw them fall to Congo across two legs.

In qualifiers for South Africa 2010, the Leone Stars overcame a nervous opening round in which they struggled past Guinea Bissau to hold their own in the second group stage against Nigeria, South Africa and Equatorial Guinea. They won four points off Bafana Bafana, including another famous 1-0 win at home.

A rugged qualifying campaign for the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, in which they faced Egypt, South Africa and Niger, should have the young Leone Stars primed and ready for Brazil 2014 qualifying.
Midfielders Rodney Strasser – AC Milan, Samuel Barlay-Ravan Baku and Mohamed Kamara- Partizan Belgrade keep things tidy for Sierra Leone, whilst Ibrahim Tetteh Bangura and Mohamed Poborsky Bangura drive things forward. With defenders like Umaru Zangalay Bangura- Haugesund, Gibrilla Fofanah-FC Kallon and the sensational Sheriff Suma whose spectacular goal beat Cape Verde, will help keep the team in focus.

Coach Olof Mattson, whose brief was to lead the Stars’ to their first ever World Cup finals attempt, was all smiles when they drew against the Nzalang Nacioanal.

The picture is expected to clear further in late March and June 2013, when the ten group winners from Round 2 will contest in Round 3. The teams will be paired into five home-and-away ties. The matches will likely be played between 11-15 October and 15-19 November 2013, when the contenders for Africa’s five World Cup tickets return to the trenches.

FINAL FIXTURES FOR GROUP B

WORLD CUP STANDINGS