Olympic hopes

James Copnall
BBC Sport

Will Cameroon be able to defend their Olympic title?

Cameroon sensationally won gold in the 2000 Olympics - but which African team can follow their lead?

With two rounds of qualifiers to go, the race for the four African spots at the Olympics is extremely tight.

The top team in each of the four groups will head off to Athens - and even holders Cameroon are not guaranteed to go.

Group A is a three horse race.

Group A table

Tunisia have eight points, while Senegal and Nigeria both have seven.

Tunisia have their destiny in their hands, as they play both their main rivals.

They travel to Senegal in mid-March, before finishing their campaign at home to the Nigerians.

Tunisian football is brimming with confidence following the senior side's Nations Cup win, and the Olympic side can count on several of the players who won that title.

However with the group so delicately balanced any outcome is still possible.

Group B should go down to the final day.

Group B table

On 28 March Olympic holders Cameroon travel to group rivals Mali.

If the Malians win, it could well mark the premature end of Cameroon's defence of their Olympic title.

Mali will be hoping to pip Cameroon in group B

Both teams have to negotiate a game each first.

Cameroon should beat DR Congo, but Mali's task, away to Ivory Coast, is harder.

Nevertheless the Malians beat their Ivorian neighbours 3-0 in Bamako, and with the promising Janvier Abouta leading their attack they will be confident of setting up that decider with Cameroon.

Group C has three nominal contenders, but in reality Ethiopia are unlikely to qualify.

Group C table

The Ethiopians are tough to beat at altitude in Addis Adaba, but as their 4-0 loss in Angola this weekend proves they are not so good on their travels.

That leaves the Angolans and Morocco fighting it out for the Olympic ticket.

Morocco star Jaouad Zairi could also feature for the Olympic side

Moroccan morale is high, following their 5-0 win over Uganda.

Players such as Jaouad Zairi and Yazid Kaissi who helped the senior team to the Nations Cup final are also available for the Olympic side.

If Morocco get a point away to Ethiopia in their next game, then a win against Angola on 27 March would see them to Athens.

The Group D ticket could still go to any of the four teams.

Group D table

However South Africa's back to back losses to Zambia make them the outsiders.

At this stage it is almost impossible to split Ghana, Zambia and Algeria.

The Ghanaians play the Zambians on 28 March in what could be another group decider.