Onigbinde has dropped several of Nigeria's established stars

It has become clear that the team is not in the same form of two years ago, when they reached the final of the Nations Cup, losing only on penalties.

However, Onigbinde gave some cause for optimism after sending out a new-look side that drew 1-1 with Paraguay in a friendly.

Fears

South Africa's Bafana Bafana look to be in the same precarious position as the Nigerians.

Jomo Sono has taken over for the second time in four years after Carlos Queiroz resigned.

In 1998, Sono left the hotseat for Phillippe Troussier - just weeks before the World Cup in France.

It was no surprise that South Africa floundered in France with Troussier unsettled.

Those same fears are being echoed among the Bafana Bafana fans today.

So far Sono has lost two matches and won a Cosafa Cup match against Botswana.

But some argue that Sono is just the right man for the job, despite his recent record.

He took South Africa to silver in Burkina Faso in 1998, and is widely seen to have the charm to turn around his team's fortunes.

Another blow

Frenchman Henri Michel resigned in charge of Tunisia last month, and he was replaced by Amman Souayah.

Tunisia are reckoned to have a better chance under Souayah

This is also perceived as a blow for Africa's chances.

But not for the Tunisian press, who have hailed the change.

They say Tunisian soccer will have a new face, calling Souayah the master tactician and hailing the return of the attacking football absent since Henri Kasperczak took over in 1994.

Best chances

The two sides who have not made changes, Cameroon and Senegal, have the strongest teams.

They have the best chances of going far at the World Cup, but Senegal's Bruno Metsu and Cameroon coach Winfried Schaffaer owe part of their success to a generation of talented players.

Queiroz, Shaibu and Michel weren't so fortunate.