Games to watch for Friday's WC Qualifiers

      Watching these World Cup qualifying matches is the perfect way to start your weekend. Here are four games I recommend to watch on Friday.

Africa

In the African qualifiers, there are 5 groups of four teams. The 1st place teams in each group qualify directly to the World Cup.  The remaining team cannot qualify for the World Cup.

Group B: Nigeria vs Cameroon
19:00 CET (+3) - 17:00 local time, Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo

We start off with the Super Eagles, ready to take on the 2017 African Cup of Nations Champions Cameroon. Nigeria may have the upper hand in Group B, the have failed to qualify to the last two African Cup of Nations competitions. However the Super Eagles have a huge future as they have a lot of young players playing in football's top leagues. The players to look out for are Wilfred Ndidi who creates opportunities, Aresenal forward Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Ihenacho. These players helped Nigeria defeat Zambia 2-1 and Algeria 3-1. Cameroon drew with Algeria and Zambia 1-1. Since Cameroon's last qualifying game was in November, they have improved tremendously. Cameroon have some of best center backs in the continent. Cameroon also have 21 year old keeper Fabric Ondoa who is keeping Cameroon together. Cameroon are currently in 2nd place with 4 points behind the Super Eagles. As Nigeria are comfortably in 1st place, a win or draw would be a decent result. For Cameroon, a win would put them back in the game however, their midfield and forwards have to step up for them to have a good result.

Other Matches: 

Group A: Tunisia vs DR Congo 23:00 CET (+3) - 21:00 local time
Group C:  Morocco vs Mali 23:00 CET (+3) - 21:00 local time
Group D: Cape Verde vs South Africa 21:30 CET (+3) - 17:30 local time
Group E: Ghana vs Congo 18:30 CET (+3) - 15:30  local time

Europe

In the European qualifiers, there are 9 groups of six teams. 1st place in each group qualifies directly to the World Cup. 2nd place teams enter a playoff round against each other. The rest cannot qualify.

Group C: Czech Republic vs Germany
21:45 CET (+3) - 20:45 local time, Eden Arena, Prague

Later this evening the Czech Republic face Die Mannschaft, the 2014 World Cup Champions. The Czech's haven't qualified to the World Cup since 2006. However since Czech Republic are in 3rd place, and 4 points behind 2nd place Northern Ireland, they are in a situation where they need to get something out of this game. As Arsenal keeper Petr Cech is out for this game, that is a huge blow for the Czech's as he is the captain and leader of the team. The players to look out for on the Czech team are Jakub Jankto who has preform well for his club team Udinese and Vladimir Darida from Hertha Berlin. This is Germany's first game since the Confederations Cup, and head coach Joachim Low was experimenting in that tournament by playing younger players instead of the usual starting 11. Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, Julian Draxler, Emre Can, and RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner are vital players for Germany. Die Mannschaft have won all of their six games in the qualifiers and are comfortably in 1st place. Germany have scored 27 goals and have only conceded one goal. In the first game between the two sides Germany won 3-0 at home with Thomas Muller scoring 2 and Kroos scoring one. A win for Germany could secure them a place in Russia, for Czech Republic a win or draw is critical as they need to catch up to Northern Ireland.

Group E: Denmark vs Poland

21:45 CET (+3) - 20:45 local time, Parken Stadium, Copenhagen

The Danish Dynamite are up against Poland in what is expected to be a thriller of a match.  Since the teams in Group E are evenly matched, getting 3 points is a huge boost. The Danes have the strongest defence in Group E, as they have experienced Simon Kjær and Chelsea full back Andreas Christensen. Up front Denmark have Ajax forward Kasper Dolberg and Spurs midfielder Christian Eriksen. Denmark are currently tied for 2nd place with Montenegro and six points behind Poland. Poland are currently the only undefeated team in the group. Despite Poland failing to qualify for the past two World Cup's, they have improved a lot since then and had a impressive Euro 2016 campaign. The key players from Poland are BVB defender Lukaz Piszczek, and vice captain Kamil Gilk. Up front, Poland have Arkadiusz Milik who has made a name of himself for Poland and Napoli. I cannot forget the man of the hour, Robert Lewandowski who has scored 46 goals in 87 games. For Poland a draw would be a decent result. For the Danish Dynamite a loss would keep them in 3rd place. It will be interesting to see which team will prevail.

Other Matches:
Group C: Norway vs Azerbaijan 21:45 CET (+3) - 20:45 local time
                San Marino vs Northern Ireland 21:45 CET (+3) - 20:45 local time
Group E: Kazakhstan vs Montenegro 19:00 CET (+3) - 22:00 local time
                Romania vs Armenia 21:45 CET (+3)
Group F: Lithuania vs Scotland 21:45 CET (+3)
                Malta vs England 21:45 CET (+3) - 20:45 local time
                Slovakia vs Slovenia 21:45 CET (+3) - 20:45 local time

North America

In the North American qualifiers there are six teams in one group. The top three teams advance to the World Cup. 4th place enters a playoff against the 5th best team in Asia. Teams that are in 5th or 6th place cannot qualify.

USA vs Costa Rica

01:55 CET (+3) - 18:55 local time, Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NY

This is the first game tonight in North America as The Stars and Stripes take on Costa Rica. The US struggled in the beginning with a 2-1 loss to Mexico and a embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Costa Rica. The US have been undefeated since then. The US play an attacking style of football ( or soccer :) ) which has lead them to big victories. The veteran players Clint Dempsey, and Toronto FC duo Michael Bradley and Jose Altidore have been involved in the 2010 and 2014 World Cup. They will lead the way in terms of experience and to motivate the players. HSV striker Bobby Wood scored in his last game for the Bundesliga side. And of course I cannot forget America's new star player Christian Pulisic. He is not just America's main man, but also Dortmund's as he has lead them to a perfect start in the Bundesliga. Costa Rica are currently in 2nd place, four points ahead of 4th place Panama. They have comfortably won three matches, drew two, and lost to Mexico. Costa Rica have one of the best goalkeeper in the world, Keylor Navas. Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bryan Ruiz lead Costa Rica to the quarter finals of the World Cup in 2014, and will be trying to do the same against the ambitious US team. Central midfielder Celso Borges, when he is on form can influence the team for the better. Since the US are only one point above 4th place Panama, The Stars and Stripes will do whatever they can to get the 3 points. Costa Rica will also be pleased with only a win.

Other Matches:
Trinidad & Tobago vs Honduras 03:00 CET (+3) - 20:00 local time
Mexico vs Panama 04:30 CET (+3) - 20:30 local time

Oceania 

New Zealand vs Solomon Islands 10:35 CET (+3) - 19:35 local time