WHAT DOES AFRICA UTD NEED?

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DOHA. After two rounds of games, Africa’s five World Cup representatives now know what they need to qualify for the last 16 in Qatar.

Three sides from the continent have their destiny in their own hands going into the final round of group games, but two others need to win and then hope other results go their way.

If two sides finish level on points, final group standings will be decided by goal difference, then goals scored before head-to-head results and fair play records come in.

Tunisia - Three points may not be enough Tunisia are up against it as the Carthage Eagles sit bottom of Group D after a goalless draw with Denmark preceded a 1-0 defeat by Australia.

The North Africans have to beat defending champions France, who are already assured of a last-16 place, and must score their first goal in Qatar today to have any chance of doing so.

Even then, that will not be enough if Australia beat Denmark. Tunisia will progress on goal difference if they win and Australia-Denmark ends in a draw, but a win for Denmark would see it come down to goal difference, goals scored or even, possibly, the fair play record.

Morocco - One point will do

Sunday’s stunning 2-0 victory over Belgium leaves Morocco in a strong position in Group F, with four points from two games.

A draw in their final match against Canada on Thursday will be enough to reach the knockout stages for just the second time, and first since topping their group in 1986.

Morocco could win the group if they win and Belgium beat Croatia in the other match — or if the Atlas Lions and Croatia are both victorious and the North Africans better Croatia’s margin of victory by two goals.

“We’ve matched two of the best teams in the world,” coach Walid Regragui said. “Of course it will be tougher if we get to the knockout stage but that’s the level I want to get to.”

Cameroon - Win and ... hope for the best

The Indomitable Lions seemed to be crashing out early when trailing Serbia 3-1 with half an hour left in their second group game, but a Vincent Aboubakar-inspired comeback saw the Central Africans draw 3-3 and live to fight another day.

Similar to Tunisia, Cameroon need a victory against one of the heavyweights of world football — in this instance, five-time World Cup winners Brazil themselves — in their final game on Friday.

The Brazilians are already through to the last 16 but for Cameroon, like the North Africans, a win may not be enough depending on the result of the Serbia-Switzerland game.

“It is possible to beat Brazil,” coach Rigobert Song said.

Ghana - Uruguay revenge can seal progress

Ghana held their nerve to beat South Korea 3-2 on Monday and secure a vital three points after a defeat by the same scoreline to Portugal in their opener.

Monday’s win keeps the Black Stars’ fate in their own hands, and while a draw could be enough if Portugal beat South Korea, the West Africans know that victory over Uruguay in their final match on Friday (15:00 GMT) will see them through.

The prospect of knocking out Uruguay at the same time adds further spice to a tie already smothered in it, since the game is a rematch of the 2010 quarter-final, which saw Ghana narrowly miss out on becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals.