Make or break for Uganda Cranes

Germany-born Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr does not expect another multi-goal romp against Zambia, who would draw level with Nigeria on 10 points by winning.

“I do not believe another four-goal victory is a realistic expectation — winning by one or two goals will do fine,” Rohr told reporters.

“Zambia are now a much better team than when we beat them last year. Watching videos of their wins over Algeria, I was struck by the speed of the strikers.

“I believe Algeria underestimated them and we dare not make the same mistake. Zambia have introduced some of the African youth championship-winning team with good effect.

“It is nice that we have control of our destiny — a win takes us to Russia. The players, my technical staff and I are totally focused on that objective.”

Tunisia travel to Guinea with a three-point advantage over DR Congo having taken four points in back-to-back matches between the countries last month.

But the “Carthage Eagles” have a woeful record in Conakry, losing four previous World Cup qualifiers in the west African coastal city.

Libya host DR Congo in Tunisia for security reasons and the Congolese hope Cedric Bakambu can transfer his Spanish club form to north Africa.

The striker scored a hat-trick for Villarreal last weekend — his first in La Liga — and is overdue some World Cup goals.

Group D is tight with only one point separating Burkina Faso from third-place Senegal with Cape Verde in between.

South Africa are five points behind the frontrunners having had a victory over Senegal annulled due to manipulation by a Ghanaian referee, who has been banned for life.

Ivory Coast, seeking a fourth consecutive World Cup qualification, are one point ahead of Morocco and two above Gabon in Group C.

The Ivorians are away to Mali Friday in the first of 10 fixtures scheduled for the weekend while Morocco host Gabon in Rabat.a