Thursday’s AFCON qualifiers: Ghana vs Angola, Madagascar vs Central Africa Republic, Algeria vs Niger, Gabon vs Sudan, Zambia vs Lesotho & Congo vs South Sudan.
📰 Table Of Contents
Ghana vs Angola
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Will Ghana book their place at Africa Cup of Nations 2024; two wins this month will do it?
Back in June, the Black Stars kicked off this campaign by smashing Madagascar 3-0.
Mohammed Kudus, Felix Afena-Gyan and then Osman Bukari at Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
However, four days later, Ghana were then held to a surprise 1-1 draw by minnows the Central African Republic in Luanda, Angola.
Nevertheless, Chris Hughton’s team are still top of Group E, targeting a pair of wins this month to ensure they stay there.
The Black Antelopes came from behind to beat Central African Republic on matchday one; M’Bala Nzola and then Gelson Dala with quick-fire goals.
They then drew 1-1 in Madagascar, leaving them well-placed to pip that particular island to qualification.
Here, Ghana should be far too strong at Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Algeria vs Niger
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Will Algeria pull further clear at the top of Group F?
Las June, the Dessert Foxes began this campaign with back-to-back wins, beating both Uganda and Tanzania 2-0.
Aïssa Mandi and Youcef Belaïli scoring in Algiers, before Ramy Bensebaïni and Mohamed Amoura were on target in Dâr es-Selâm.
The 2019 African champions were always likely to cruise through this group, and Djamel Belmadi’s side are very well placed to do that.
Niger meanwhile, against the odds, are currently in second spot, having drawn both games 1-1 so far.
The Ménas’ only AFCON appearances came in 2012 and 2013, so it would be a real surprise if they clung onto the runners-up place.
Here, Algeria are likely to win convincingly at the newly-opened Nelson Mandela Stadium.
Madagascar vs Central Africa Republic
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These two are both outside the qualification positions just now, so both need points.
Madagascar made their Africa Cup of Nations debut in 2019, against all odds reaching the quarter-finals.
Back in June, the Barea began this campaign with a 3-0 defeat in Ghana, before a 1-1 draw against Angola.
Njiva Rakotoharimalala the scorer in the latter.
Nevertheless, if Madagascar are going to leapfrog Angola in second, these two games this month against the Central African Republic feel must win.
The away side have never qualified for a major tournament, but did hold group favourites Ghana to a 1-1 draw last year.
Karl Namnganda with the equaliser, four days after the CAR had lost 2-1 in Angola on matchday one.
Can either nation claim three precious points at Mahamasina Municipal Stadium?
Gabon vs Sudan
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Last June’s results mean Group I is wide-open, so can either of these two take advantage?
Gabon have qualified for five of the last seven AFCONs, reaching the round of 16 at the most-recent edition.
Les Panthères began this latest campaign with a shock 1-0 victory over DR Congo before a goalless draw with Mauritania.
Sudan meanwhile were smashed 3-0 by Mauritania but then also beat DR Congo; Waleed Al-Shoala and Mohamed Abdelrahman scoring in a 2-1 win.
The Secretarybirds also featured at AFCON 2022, but very few expected them to repeat that feat again.
However, with top-seeds DR Congo currently on zero points, everyone else will feel this is a golden opportunity.
Can Gabon make home advantage count at Stade de Franceville?
Zambia vs Lesotho
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Can Zambia move one step closer to Africa Cup of Nations qualification?
The Copper Bullets, famously, won this competition in 2012, but haven’t managed to qualify for the three previous editions.
Back in June, they kicked off this campaign with a 3-1 defeat in Côte d’Ivoire, before a crucial comeback 2-1 win over the Comoros Islands.
Enock Mwepu, who’s tragically had to retire, equalising, before Kings Kangwa fired home an 88th minute winner.
So, a pair of victories over Lesotho this month would leave Zambia in pole position to qualify.
As for the away side, they’ve never qualified for a major tournament, and that fact isn’t likely to change any time soon.
The Crocodiles began this campaign by losing 2-0 to Comoros, before an impressive goalless draw with Ivory Coast.
So, Lesotho are unlikely to roll over, but Zambia, with Fashion Sakala and Patson Daka up front, should prevail at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Congo vs South Sudan
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These two nations will meet twice this month, with Congo therefore seeing that as a great opportunity to strengthen their position in Group G.
The Red Devils won the Africa Cup of Nations 51 years ago, but have only qualified for two of the previous 15 editions.
Back in June, Congo were smashed 4-0 by Mali, before a crucial 1-0 victory over the Gambia; Antoine Makoumbou the scorer.
Given that Congo and the Gambia are likely to be fighting it out for second, that win could prove crucial.
South Sudan meanwhile are the minnows of this group, needing to overcome Djibouti in the preliminary round just to get this far.
The Bright Stars have lost both matches so far, 1-0 in Gambia and 3-1 to Mali, making a Congo win at Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat the most-likely outcome.
