Algeria, Ghana face daunting task in qualifiers

JOHANNESBURG: African football giants Algeria and Ghana could have hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia irreparably damaged if they lose difficult away matches this weekend.

Algeria, ranked third in the continent behind the Ivory Coast and Senegal, face resurgent Group B pacesetters Nigeria in Uyo Saturday. Fifth-ranked Ghana tackle Group E leaders Egypt a day later in Alexandria with the hosts lifting a securityinduced ban on spectators to permit a 50,000 crowd.

Should 2014 World Cup qualifiers Algeria and Ghana lose, they will trail Nigeria and Egypt by five points in their groups with a third of the six-matchday schedule completed.

Ghana are seeking a fourth consecutive World Cup appearance, which would equal the African record held by Cameroon, and Algeria a third in a row. While Algeria could not hold an early lead in a surprise 1-1 home draw with Cameroon last month, Nigeria made a perfect start by winning 2-1 in Zambia.

KHEDIRA SAYS BUSY SCHEDULE A STRAIN BERLIN: Germany and Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira said on Thursday that football’s busy playing schedule was challenging its top professionals both physically and mentally.

Khedira spoke with journalists at training in Rimini, Italy who asked about comments by Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge that the frequent league breaks to accommodate international matches were “catastrophic”.

Players regularly complain about the competing pressures on their time created by the scheduling of national and club matches.

“It’s an issue that there are many matches and that they need to be somehow scheduled - luckily I’m not an administrator,” Khedira said.

“I enjoy the games (with the national team) but I know the schedule is extremely full. Mentally and physically it’s hard to have to deliver every three days. It is an issue that we can discuss,” said the midfielder.

NETHERLANDS HOLD BELGIUM IN FRIENDLY AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands and Belgium played out a 1-1 friendly draw Wednesday where Premier League stars Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard struggled and the Dutch suffered injury setbacks ahead of a key World Cup qualifier.

A penalty from Davy Klaassen gave the Dutch a 38thminute lead from the penalty spot before Yannick Carrasco levelled eight minutes from the final whistle.

It was the 126th meeting between the two neighbours whose fortunes are seemingly headed in different directions.