The "Indomitable Lions", Cameroon's national soccer team, did it again by beating Morocco 2-0 to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Nigeria's Super Eagles also managed to clinch a victory over Kenya (3-2) and will be heading to South Africa in the summer. The last available spot in the tournament will go to either Egypt or Algeria, who are scheduled to play their final playoff game in Sudan on Wednesday. In an earlier match, Egypt beat Algeria 2-0 in a heated soccer match, preceded by violence as Egyptian fans stoned the Algerian players' bus, injuring some of the players.
Soccer is HUGE in Africa and this is the first time the FIFA World Cup will be held on African soil. So to make it to the 2010 World Cup is particularly important and the stakes are high.
Just six African nations (out of 53) will take part in the 2010 World Cup. Ghana's Black Stars were the first African team to qualify in September, while the Ivory Coast's Elephants secured their spot about a month ago. South Africa's Bafana Bafana automatically qualify as the host nation.
For the teams that don't make it to the World Cup, the long, drawn out tournament at least paves the way for some to play in Africa's biggest soccer tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations. This will be held in Luanda, Angola in January 2010. Congratulations to The Flames of Malawi for making this tournament today. Angola in the meantime is very busy trying to ready the country. And I'll be keeping my eye on that tournament, so check back.
Image of Cameroon Fans celebrating their 2010 World Cup Qualifying Game -- Getty Images/Michael Steele