The long road to Brazil commences in Africa on Friday as the first round of qualifying kicks off featuring 22 teams, each seeking to keep their 2014 FIFA World Cup™ dreams alive.
Elected President of the Mauritanian FA this July, Ahmed Merhba Ould Abderrahmane paid a visit to the Home of FIFA and spoke to FIFA.com about the challenges he faces in his new post.
Senegal and Burkina Faso were the big winners over the weekend as the pair booked passage to the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, but seven groups remain up for grabs with one qualifying round to go.
Niger edged closer to qualifying for next year's CAF Africa Cup of Nations with a win over South Africa, while Uganda lost to Angola and Nigeria beat Madagascar.
Burkina Faso booked their place at the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, while defending champions Egypt crashed out to Sierra Leone.
Algerian giants JS Kabylie will carry just a one-goal cushion into the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup tie away to Mauritanian minnows Tevragh Zeina, while Moroccan heavyweights Maghreb Fes travel to Sahel following a goalless draw.
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
