Group B pace-setters and Nigeria’s main rivals, The Syli Stars of Guinea are set to beat Ethiopia on Sunday and consolidate their leadership in a 2012 Nations Cup qualifying group that also includes two-time champions Nigeria.

The Guineans are top of the pile with 10 points from four matches, three points more than the highly-fancied Nigerians.

Exactly a year ago, Guinea were 4-1 winners in Addis Ababa with the veteran striker Ibrahim Yatarra grabbing a brace after Ethiopia took the lead by the half hour mark.

They are expected to win again on Sunday and if Nigeria win also in Madagascar, it will set the stage for a final showdown in Nigeria next month.

Guinea were 1-0 winners in the reverse fixture against the Eagles in Conakry.

The Syli Stars were a big disappointment at the 2008 Nations Cup hosted by fellow West Africans Ghana and failed to qualify for last year’s edition in Angola.

They will line up a strong team with Italy-based Kevin Constant, the match winner against Nigeria, recalled after he was suspended by the national team.

Coach Michel Dissuyer banned Constant for three matches and fined him 5,000 Euros for absconding from the team’s hotel during the build-up to their 4-1 home win over Madagascar in June.

Brest winger Larsen Toure bagged a two-match ban and 5,000 Euros fine for snubbing the national team without any reasons.

The Group B leaders though must be wary of the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia, under Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet, who has extended his contract till at least the end of the qualifying campaign.