Monday’s AFCON qualifiers: Angola vs Ghana, Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria, Niger vs Algeria, Ethiopia vs Guinea, Sudan vs Gabon, Central Africa Republic vs Madagascar, Rwanda vs Benin & South Sudan vs Congo.
📰 Table Of Contents
Angola vs Ghana
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Ghana, just about, beat Angola in the reverse fixture on Thursday, with Antoine Semenyo snatching a 1-0 win in the 96th minute in Kumasi.
This ensured the Black Stars remain top of this group, with seven points to their name, and another win here could secure qualification for Chris Hughton’s team.
Despite that defeat, Angola are still in a decent position to qualify, sat on four points, below Central Africa Republic on goal difference.
Will Ghana’s quality see them to victory at Estádio 11 de Novembro?
Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria
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After causing a big upset on Friday, can Guinea Bissau do it again?
This saw Guinea-Bissau move top of Group A, with seven points to their name, knowing another win here would all but secure qualification.
Nigeria meanwhile won their first two fixtures in this group, scoring 12 goals, but now need to get back on track at Estádio 24 de Setembro.
Niger vs Algeria
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Will Algeria’s 100% record in this qualifying campaign continue?
On Friday night, Niger looked set to spring a massive surprise in Algiers, with Daniel Sosah breaking the deadlock.
Nevertheless, a Rahim Alhassane own goal followed by a late Riyāḍ Maḥrez strike snatched a win for the home side.
This means Djamel Belmadi’s side are sitting pretty at the top of Group F, with maximum points, and another win here rubber stamp qualification.
Niger meanwhile drew their first two matches last June, but will do well to add to their points tally in this one at Hammadi Agrebi Stadium.
Ethiopia vs Guinea
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On Friday, Guinea won the reverse fixture 2-0, with François Kamano and Mohamed Bayo scoring, so will be hoping for a similar result here too.
This took the National Elephants onto six points, sitting second, and another win here would leave them on the cusp of qualification.
Given that, Ethiopia need a result to stay in the hunt, so will there be a winner in Rabat?
Sudan vs Gabon
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Will Gabon book their place at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations?
On Thursday, Lloyd Palun was the only scorer as les Panthères beat Sudan 1-0 at Stade de Franceville.
So now, another win for Gabon against the same opponents could secure qualification with two games to spare.
Sudan meanwhile are third, one point below Mauritania, so they also need points at Al-Hilal Stadium.
Central Africa Republic vs Madagascar
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Are Central Africa Republic going to qualify for a first-ever AFCON?
Their hopes of achieving this were massively boosted on Thursday by claiming a 3-0 win in Madagascar, with Louis Mafouta bagging a brace at Mahamasina Municipal Stadium.
This takes les Fauves onto four points, and another win here could be crucial.
Madagascar meanwhile are bottom of Group E with just a solitary point to their name, so need a result at Stade de la Réunification.
Rwanda vs Benin
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Will either claim their first win of this campaign?
On matchday three, these two played out a 1-1 draw, with Gilbert Mugisha breaking the deadlock at Stade de l’Amitié, only for Steve Mounié to salvage a point for Benin.
Les Ecureuils lost their first two matches in this group back in June, so really need a win here to get back in the qualification hunt.
Rwanda are just a point better off, but a win at Stade Huye could see them leapfrog Mozambique.
South Sudan vs Congo
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After Thursday’s shock win in Brazzaville, can South Sudan do it again?
In mid-week, these two teams met in Congo, with the hosts equalising thanks to a 90th minute Thievy Bifouma penalty, only for Tito Okello to snatch a win in the 96th minute.
This win saw South Sudan get off the mark in Group G, joining Congo and the Gambia on three points.
Thus, both will be desperate for a win at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium to boost their hopes of a top two finish.
