Tuesday’s AFCON qualifiers: Malawi vs Egypt, Mozambique vs Senegal, Namibia vs Cameroon, Comoros vs Côte d’Ivoire, Libya vs Tunisia, Botswana vs Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini vs Cape Verde, Togo vs Burkina Faso, the Gambia vs Mali, Mauritania vs DR Congo, Liberia vs South Africa & Tanzania vs Uganda.
📰 Table Of Contents
Malawi vs Egypt
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
Will Egypt beat Malawi for the second time this week?
On Friday night, goals from Mohamed Salah, who else, and Omar Marmoush saw the Pharaohs win the reverse fixture 2-0 at 30 June Stadium.
Egypt actually suffered a shock defeat in Ethiopia last June, but are top of Group D, knowing a win here would almost secure qualification.
Malawi meanwhile have just three points on the board, beating Ethiopia in their opener, but anything they yield from this match will be a huge bonus.
Will Egypt’s quality see them to victory at Bingu National Stadium?
Mozambique vs Senegal
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
On Friday, they smashed Mozambique 5-1 in Dakar, with Youssouf Sabaly, Sadio Mané, Iliman Ndiaye, Boulaye Dia and Habib Diallo all scoring.
The Lions of Teranga are five points clear at the top of Group L, having won three out of three, knowing just a draw here would secure qualification.
Mozambique meanwhile, despite that heavy defeat at Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, are still second, having yielded four points from two games last June.
The Mambas’ remaining games against Rwanda and the Benin will be key, as Senegal are likely to win again, this time at Estádio do Zimpeto.
Namibia vs Cameroon
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
Will five-times winners Cameroon rubber stamp their place at next January’s Africa Cup of Nations?
On Friday, Namibia actually took a shock lead in Yaoundé, Peter Shalulile the scorer, only for Olivier Kemen to salvage a draw for the home side.
Despite this, having won in Burundi back in June, les Lions Indomptables remain top of Group C, knowing a victory here would ensure they end in that position.
Namibia always knew they’d be fighting it out with Burundi for second, so the point they earned on Friday is a massive bonus.
Will Cameroon win this time as these two go head-to-head in Johannesburg, South Africa?
Comoros vs Côte d’Ivoire
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
Will Côte d’Ivoire beat Comoros for the second time in four days?
On Friday, Christian Kouamé, Sébastien Haller and Jean-Philippe Krasso were all on target at Stade Bouaké in a 3-1 victory for Ivory Coast.
As hosts, les Éléphants have already qualifed for next year’s AFCON, but their qualification results do still matter to the other teams in Group H.
For Comoros, they made their Africa Cup of Nations debut last year but now, finding themselves six points adrift of Zambia, are seeing their hopes of being there again fading fast.
The Coelacanths really need a win in Moroni, but Ivory Coast might just have too much quality.
Libya vs Tunisia
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
Will Tunisia maintain their position at the top of Group J?
On Friday, they beat North African neighbours Libya 3-0 in Tunis, with Youssef Msakni, Ali Maâloul and Haythem Jouini all on target.
So, having accumulated seven points out of nine, Jalel Kadri’s side are in first place, knowing a win here would rubber stamp qualification with two games to spare.
Libya meanwhile have lost both matches since beating Botswana in their opener, meaning their wait for a first AFCON appearance since 2012 will likely continue.
Will Tunisia upset the home crowd at Martyrs of February Stadium?
Botswana vs Equatorial Guinea
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
Having won the reverse fixture 2-0 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea will be hoping for a similar result in Francistown.
Four days ago, Saúl Coco and Federico Bikoro were both on target in a 2-0 Equatorial Guinea victory at Estadio de Malabo.
Therefore, having won back-to-back games, Juan Micha’s side are second in this group, knowing a win here would pretty much book their place at AFCON 2024.
Botswana meanwhile did hold Tunisia to a goalless draw last June, but are rock bottom of Group J, having lost their other two matches.
So, the Zebras really need points at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium, but Equatorial Guinea are favourites to win.
Eswatini vs Cape Verde
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
Will Cape Verde tighten their grip on second place in Group B?
On Friday, the Blue Sharks were widely expected to beat Eswatini in Praia, but were held to a goalless draw.
Nevertheless, Bubista’s team do remain second, two points clear of their opponents, knowing a win here would all but secure their place at AFCON.
Eswatini are the real minnows of this section, having had to overcome Somalia in the preliminary round just to get this far.
So, it’s impressive that Dominic Kunene’s team have two points on the board, also holding Togo to a 2-2 draw last June.
Here though, Cape Verde are likely to prevail at Mbombela Stadium in South Africa.
Togo vs Burkina Faso
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
Will Burkina Faso book their place at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations?
On Friday, in the reverse fixture, Abdoul Tapsoba’s goal, coming just two minutes from time, saw his team beat Togo 1-0.
Les Étalons now have maximum points on the board, so even a draw here would secure a top two finish for Hubert Velud’s team.
Togo meanwhile are rock bottom of Group B, with their only point of the campaign coming in a 2-2 draw with minnows Eswatini last summer.
Les Éperviers last featured at an Africa Cup of Nations in 2017, with that fact unlikely to change.
An away win seems likely at Stade de Kégué.
The Gambia vs Mali
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
Will Mali’s perfect record in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying continue?
On Friday, in the reverse fixture in Bamako, goals from Kamory Doumbia and Adama Traoré saw the Eagles beat Gambia 2-0.
So, with nine points out of nine on the board, Éric Chelle’s team know even a draw here would secure their spot at next year’s AFCON.
The Gambia meanwhile made their Africa Cup of Nations debut 14 months ago, reaching the quarter-finals very much against the odds.
In this cycle, the Scorpions beat South Sudan 1-0 in their group opener, but have lost both fixtures since then.
Tom Saintfiet’s team visit South Sudan in June before hosting Congo in September, with those games likely to determine their fate.
Anything the Gambia get here will be a massive bonus, with Mali likely to be far too strong once again.
Mauritania vs DR Congo
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
DR Congo made a nightmare start to Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, so every points really counts.
Back in June, despite being the top seeds in Group I, the Leopards lost both matches, beaten 1-0 by Gabon and 2-1 by Sudan.
So, Sébastien Desabre’s team went into Friday’s clash with Mauritania under big pressure, but rose to the occasion, winning 3-1.
Familiar faces Gaël Kakuta, Cédric Bakambu and Arthur Masuaku on target at Stade TP Mazembe.
So now, as the two teams meet again, this time in Nouakchott, DR Congo will feel this is also must win.
Mauritania meanwhile have four points on the board, with their sole win to date coming over Sudan.
The Lions of Chinguetti made their AFCON debut in 2019 before also qualifying for the subsequent edition, knowing a win here would put them in a great position to repeat that feat.
Thus, this is a huge clash for both at Stade Cheikha Ould Boïdiya.
Liberia vs South Africa
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
In Group K, Morocco have already secured qualification, while Zimbabwe have been disqualified.
So, one of these two teams will take second spot with this clash, essentially, a straight shootout for it.
South Africa should be coming in this game in pole position, after these two met in Johannesburg on Friday.
Bafana Bafana led 2-0, Lyle Foster scoring twice in the first 22 minutes, only for them to completely blow it.
Tonia Tisdell halved the deficit mid-way through the second half, before Mohammed Sangare of Accrington snatched a stoppage time equaliser at Orlando Stadium
So, as the two reconvene in Monrovia, it’s winner takes all.
Liberia haven’t qualifed for any of the last ten AFCONs, dating back to 2002, so a win here would be historic for the Lone Stars.
South Africa meanwhile are the continent’s perennial underachievers, missing four of the last seven AFCONs, including last year’s edition.
Who will win this massive game at Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex?
Tanzania vs Uganda
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
Will Tanzania leave themselves in a fantastic position to qualify?
On Friday, they beat Uganda 1-0 in the reverse fixture, with Saimon Msuva the game’s only scorer.
This leaves the Taifa Stars second in Group F, knowing another win here would almost secure qualification.
Thus, Uganda cannot allow that to happen.
The Cranes have just one point on the board, drawing with Niger back in June, knowing a defeat here would end their qualification aspirations.
Will Tanzania make home advantage count at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium?
