2014 African World Cup qualifying A-E

A total of seven places in the African play-offs for the 2014 World Cup will be decided this weekend.

The campaign that has been made all the more dramatic because a number of matches have been overturned by football's world governing body Fifa.

Only Algeria , Egypt and Ivory Coast will definitely be in the draw on 16 September for the final round of play-offs for Brazil next year.

Ghana host Zambia in the first of the weekend's final group games in Africa.

The Black Stars need just a point to advance to the final round of play-offs while Chipolopolo must win to progress.

However Kevin-Prince Boateng's return to the Ghana line-up has been put on hold because of a knee injury.

As well as the Ghana v Zambia match, here is BBC Sport's preview of all the games in Groups A to E - with only the pool winners advancing to the play-offs.

A preview of groups F to J can be found here. The first legs of the play-off ties will be played between 11-15 October and the return legs between 15-19 November.

Group A

Saturday: Central African Republic v Ethiopia (Brazzaville), South Africa v Botswana (Durban)

Ethiopia thought they had qualified for the final round of play-offs when they beat South Africa in June but they were then denied a place after it emerged they had used a player who should have been suspended.

Instead they now know only a win against Central African Republic will guarantee them a place in the next stage, a game that will be played in Brazzaville due to the continued security issues in Bangui.

The Ethiopians are still in pole position to advance and their coach Sewnet Bishaw is full of confidence.

"We may not score many goals but we'll definitely beat them and make it to the last ten," he told BBC Sport.

Getaneh Kebede, who is the joint-top scorer in the African qualifiers with five goals, has been included in the Ethiopian squad despite an injury.

Dean Furman says South Africa must simply concentrate on winning against Botswana

A draw for Ethiopia would let South Africa in - if they can beat visitors Botswana in Durban.

Meanwhile, the Zebras themselves have an outside chance of going through, if they can beat the 2010 World Cup hosts and Ethiopia lose to CAR.

Botswana have had mixed fortunes in the build-up to their game after losing 3-1 to Uganda but then beating Malawi in friendlies this week.

South Africa midfielder Dean Furman says Bafana Bafana must concentrate on their game and not worry about Ethiopia's match.

"It's not in our hands which is a bit of a disappointment but we've got to do all we can do to pick up the three points and hope that Ethiopia slip up," he told BBC Sport.

"So we've still got a lot to play for, we hope results go our way and we can qualify for the play-offs.

"The most important thing is that we do our job - if it's meant to be for us, then it's meant to be."

"I didn't get a chance to play in the last World Cup but watching the show they put on in 2010 in South Africa was brilliant."

Group B

Emilio Nsue Lopez was ruled to be ineligible to play for Equatorial Guinea

Saturday: Sierra Leone v Equatorial Guinea (Freetown), Tunisia v Cape Verde (Rades)

Tunisia are another side who were celebrating making the play-offs, only to be denied after Fifa overturned results of earlier qualifiers, a decision that allowed Cape Verde back into the race.

The two sides meet each other in Rades with hosts Tunisia knowing a draw will be enough to take them through while a win will see Cape Verde qualify.

The Blue Sharks' lifeline came from Equatorial Guinea using an ineligible player in both qualifiers against them, with Fifa ruling that Emilio Nsue Lopez did not meet its criteria on nationality.

The Nzalang Nationale dropped to the bottom of the group, following the Fifa ruling, and will play Sierra Leone in Freetown as they bid to avoid finishing last.

Group C

Saturday: Gambia v Tanzania (Bakau), Ivory Coast v Morocco (Abidjan)

Ivory Coast have already sealed top spot in the group and with it their place in the draw for the play-offs.

The Elephants will look to maintain their unbeaten record in the qualifiers when they host Morocco, who are the only team to have taken a point from them in this campaign.

Didier Drogba has retained his place in Sabri Lamouchi's squad after being recalled for the 4-1 loss to Mexico in a friendly last month.

In the group's other match, The Gambia will look for consolation with a first win of the campaign as they host Tanzania in a match that has pride alone at stake.

Group D

Michael Essien is ready to play for Ghana despite the death of his father

Friday: Ghana v Zambia (Kumasi) Sunday: Sudan v Lesotho (Omdurman)

Ghana host Zambia on Friday in another fixture that is a head-to-head to decide who progresses to the play-offs.

2012 African champions Zambia are another team who have an ineligible player to thank for still being in the running to qualify for next year's World Cup in Brazil, because their opening loss to Sudan was overturned by Fifa.

The build-up to the game has seen hostility between the two camps, with a dispute over Zambia's travel plans and over training access for Chipolopolo in Kumasi.

The Black Stars welcome Michael Essien and Andre 'Dede' Ayew back to their squad as they aim for the point that will take them through.

Schalke's Kevin-Prince Boateng was due to make his return too, but a knee injury he picked up during training with the Black Stars means he will not play against Zambia.

Essien is ready to play despite the death of his father on Sunday and is also set for his first game for the Black Stars since June 2011, with injuries having affected his participation.

"He [Essien) says it is time to serve the nation and he feels he can play through - he really wants to play," Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah said.

"Friday's game will not be only about a good first eleven but a good bench too.

"Having these players available means we are strong in every sense and for me that is what matters," the coach insisted.

Zambia must get all three points though if they are to top the group, with coach Herve Renard under pressure from some fans after he failed to lead the team of locally-based players to the finals of the African Nations Championship.

Sudan host Lesotho on Sunday in a match to determine who will finish bottom of the pool.

Group E

Saturday: Burkina Faso v Gabon (Ouagadougou), Niger v Congo-Brazzaville (Niamey)

Both Burkina Faso and Gabon have lost points in the campaign due to eligibility issues over nationality, which means the group will only be decided by these final matches.

Congo have their destiny in their own hands and can win the group with victory in Niamey over Niger, who have no chance of advancing.

Defender Christopher Samba is part of the Congo squad for the crucial match after missing the two qualifiers in June, when a draw with Burkina Faso would have seen them advance.

But if the Red Devils lose, then the winner of match between 2013 Nations Cup runners-up Burkina Faso and Gabon can top the group - although the Panthers will need goal difference to turn in their favour if they are to finish ahead of Congo.