Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) - Discussion Thread

[Saj]

ALGERIA
Goalkeepers: Rais M'Bolhi (Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Alexandre Oukidja (Metz, France), Moustapha Zeghba (Damac, Saudi Arabia).

Defenders: Djameleddine Benlamri (Qatar SC, Qatar), Aissa Mandi (Villareal, Spain), Mohamed Amine Tougai, Ilyes Chetti, Abdelkader Bedrane (all Esperance, Tunisia), Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Mönchengladbach, Germany), Youcef Atal (Nice, France), Houcine Benayada (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Mohamed Reda Halaimia (Beerschot, Belgium), Mehdi Tahrat (Al Gharafa, Qatar)

Midfielders: Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan, Italy), Ramiz Zerrouki (FC Twente, Netherlands), Adem Zorgane (Charleroi, Belgium), Haris Belkebla (Brest, France), Sofiane Feghouli (Galatasaray, Turkey), Sofiane Bendebka (Al Fateh, Saudi Arabia).

Forwards: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City, England), Adam Ounas (Napoli, Italy), Youcef Belaïli (Unattached), Said Benrahma (West Ham United, England), Yacine Brahimi (Al Rayyan, Qatar), Farid Boulaya (Metz, France), Islam Slimani (Lyon, France), Baghdad Bounedjah (Al Sadd, Qatar), Mohamed Amine Amoura (Lugano, Switzerland).

 

[Saj]

CAMEROON
Goalkeepers: Simon Omossola (AS Vita Club, DR Congo), Devis Epassy (OFI Crete, Greece), Andre Onana (Ajax, Netherlands).

Defenders: Collins Fai (Standard Liege, Belgium), Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union, USA), Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Gent, Belgium), JC Castelletto (Nantes, France), Harold Moukoudi (St Etienne, France), Enzo Ebosse (Angers, France), Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo (Montpellier, France), Jerome Onguene (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders, USA).

Midfielders: Jean Onana Junior (Bordeaux, France), Malong Kunde (Olympiakos, Greece), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli, Italy), Samuel Gouet Oum (Mechelen, Belgium), Martin Hongla (Hellas Verona, Italy), James Lea Siliki (Middlesbrough, England), Yvan Neyou (St Etienne, France).

Forwards: Ignatius Ganago (Lens, France), Christian Bassogog (Shanghai Shenua, China), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich, Germany), Stephane Bahoken (Angers, France), Karl Toko-Ekambi (Lyon, France), Moumi Ngamaleu (Young Boys, Switzerland), Vincent Aboubakar (Al Nasr, Saudi Arabia), Clinton Njie (Dinamo Moscow, Russia).

 

[Saj]

IVORY COAST
Goalkeepers: Sylvain Gbohouo (Wolkite Ketema, Ethiopia), Badra Ali Sangare (JDR Stars, South Africa), Abdoul Karim Cisse (Asec Mimosas, Ivory Coast), Ira Eliezer Tape (San Pedro, Ivory Coast).

Defenders: Serge Aurier (Villarreal, Spain), Eric Bailly (Manchester United, England), Willy Boly (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Wilfried Kanon (Pyramids, Egypt), Odilon Kossounou (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Simon Deli (Adana Demirspor, Turkey), Ghislain Konan (Reims, France).

Midfielders: Habib Maiga (Metz, France), Maxwel Cornet (Burnley, England), Serey Die (Sion, Switzerland), Ibrahim Sangare (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro (Lazio, Italy), Franck Kessie (AC Milan, Italy), Hamed Traore and Jeremie Boga (both Sassuolo, Italy), Max Gradel (Sivasspor, Turkey), Jean Michael Seri (Fulham, England).

Forwards: Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace, England), Jean Evrard Kouassi (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal, England), Sebastien Haller (Ajax, Netherlands), Christian Kouame (Anderlecht, Belgium), Yohan Boli (Al-Rayyan, Qatar), Karim Konate (Asec Mimosas, Ivory Coast).

 

[nextover666666]

North African teams tend to be the strongest, One of Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, or Morocco will win it, atleast that is what my prediction is, regardless should be a good tournament.

 

[MenInG]

Footballers heading to next month's Africa Cup of Nations finals will be allowed to play for their clubs until January 3

 

[Junaids]

North African teams tend to be the strongest, One of Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, or Morocco will win it, atleast that is what my prediction is, regardless should be a good tournament.

I would word it differently.

North African teams are the most professionally run.

Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana generally have the best players, but the administrators rip off the players and the teams are often not united.

If you think of Nigeria, up front they can field:

Osimhen
Iheanacho
Dennis
Ighalo

The day will come when Nigeria is a superpower on a global football stage.

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/59801224

Guinea have had to replace injured defenders Antoine Conte and Florentin Pogba in their squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Conte, a former France Under-21 international who has switched allegiance, said he had not yet recovered from injury after recently joining Romanian club Universitatea Craiova.

Pogba suffered a knee injury and a tendon pull in action for French club Sochaux earlier this month. A scan confirmed he would be out until at least the end of January, the Guinea Football Federation said.

Pogba, 30, is the elder brother of French World Cup winner Paul Pogba.

Coach Kaba Diawara, who originally named his squad on 20 December, has called up two home-based players as replacements: Fode Camara from Horoya and Gaoussou Yousouf Siby from Wakrya.

Guinea have been drawn in Group B alongside Senegal, Zimbabwe and Malawi at the tournament which kicks off in Cameroon on 9 January.

Guinea squad for Afcon 2021
Goalkeepers: Aly Keita (Ostersund, Sweden), Ibrahima Kone (Hibernians, Malta), Moussa Camara (Horoya, Guinea).

Defenders: Saidou Sow (St Etienne, France), Ibrahima Conte (Niort, France), Florentin Pogba (Sochaux, France), Ousmane Kante (Paris FC, France), Mohamed Aly Camara (Young Boys, Switzerland), Pa Konate (Botev Plovdiv, Bulgaria), Issiaga Sylla (Toulouse, France), Fode Camara (Horoya, Guinea), Gaoussou Yousouf Siby (Wakrya, Guinea), Mikael Dyrestam (Sarpsborg 08, Norway).

Midfielders: Amadou Diawara (Roma, Italy), Ibrahima Cisse (Seriang, Belgium), Mory Konate (Sint-Truidense, Belgium), Ibrahima Sory Conte (Bnei Sakhnin, Israel), Ilaix Moriba (RB Leipzig), Mamadou Kane (Neftci, Azerbaijan), Morlaye Sylla (Horoya, Guinea), Aguibou Camara (Olympiacos, Greece), Naby Keita (Liverpool, England).

Forwards: Seydouba Soumah (Kuwait SC, Kuwait), Morgan Guilavogui (Paris FC, France), Mamadou Diallo (Grenoble, France), Jose Kante (Kairat, Kazakhstan), Mohamed Bayo (Clermont France), Sory Kaba (OH Leuven, Belgium).

 

[nextover666666]

I would word it differently.

North African teams are the most professionally run.

Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana generally have the best players, but the administrators rip off the players and the teams are often not united.

If you think of Nigeria, up front they can field:

Osimhen
Iheanacho
Dennis
Ighalo

The day will come when Nigeria is a superpower on a global football stage.

Yeah your right their too but north africans have strong players as well i agree 100 percent that they are most professionally run compare to the pther regions of Africa

 

[James]

Poll added.

 

[Saj]

I've gone for Egypt, although Senegal and Ivory Coast look very strong teams.

 

[MenInG]

The Africa Cup of Nations is being "disrespected" by some negative media coverage, says former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright.

The 24-team competition begins on 9 January and will feature a host of Premier League and European stars.

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is among those to also call for the tournament to be given more respect.

"Is there ever a tournament more disrespected than the Africa Cup of Nations?" Wright said on Instagram.

On the media coverage around Afcon he claimed: "There is no greater honour than representing your country. The coverage is completely tinged with racism.

"We played our Euros across 10 countries in the middle of a pandemic and there's no issue at all. But Cameroon, a single country hosting a tournament, is a problem.

"There are players getting asked if they will be honouring the call-ups to their national teams. Imagine if that was an England player representing the Three Lions. Can you imagine the furore?"

Which Premier League players might be going to the Africa Cup of Nations?
Ajax's Ivory Coast striker Sebastien Haller said the suggestion a player would want to miss the tournament to play for their club "shows the disrespect for Africa".

He told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: "Would this [question] ever have been asked to a European player towards a European Championship?

"Of course I will go to represent Ivory Coast. That is the highest honour."

However, the 27-year-old said having to miss club games "is very frustrating". Haller added: "I hate having to choose between my country and my club."

Although several Premier League clubs will be without key players in January - including Crystal Palace who are set to lose Cheikhou Kouyate, Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew - Eagles boss Vieira echoed Haller's sentiments.

"I respect and understand the passion and the importance to players to go and represent their country so I will never stop any player going to play the Africa Cup of Nations," said Vieira, a World Cup and European Championship winner as a player with France.

"I believe that competition needs to be more respected - because this competition is as important as the European Championships."

Title hopefuls Liverpool face significant absences, with the Premier League's leading scorer Mohamed Salah, fellow forward Sadio Mane and midfielder Naby Keita set to take part in the tournament.

Leaders Manchester City will lose Riyad Mahrez, while second-placed Chelsea will be without goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and West Ham's Said Benrahma will be with Algeria.

Leeds United, Newcastle United, Norwich City and Tottenham are the only Premier League clubs not losing any players for the tournament.

Players are allowed to play for their clubs until 3 January before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations after Fifa rules stating clubs must release players by 27 December was changed "in the spirit of goodwill and solidarity".

"Loads of the best players in Europe right now are African," said Wright.

"If we love them at club level why can't we love them at international level like their counterparts across the globe? Why is this tournament constantly getting so much flak?

"I have got to give a shout out to the players like Sebastien Haller who are taking a stand against the media backlash, plus Patrick Vieira for coming out and speaking about this.

"This is why it is important to have a black manager who can let people understand where his roots are and how important this tournament is for African people.

"I want to wish Cameroon every success in hosting this tournament and and all the very best to the players and the fans."

BBC

 

[silentkiller187]

The Africa Cup of Nations is being "disrespected" by some negative media coverage, says former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright.

The 24-team competition begins on 9 January and will feature a host of Premier League and European stars.

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is among those to also call for the tournament to be given more respect.

"Is there ever a tournament more disrespected than the Africa Cup of Nations?" Wright said on Instagram.

On the media coverage around Afcon he claimed: "There is no greater honour than representing your country. The coverage is completely tinged with racism.

"We played our Euros across 10 countries in the middle of a pandemic and there's no issue at all. But Cameroon, a single country hosting a tournament, is a problem.

"There are players getting asked if they will be honouring the call-ups to their national teams. Imagine if that was an England player representing the Three Lions. Can you imagine the furore?"

Which Premier League players might be going to the Africa Cup of Nations?
Ajax's Ivory Coast striker Sebastien Haller said the suggestion a player would want to miss the tournament to play for their club "shows the disrespect for Africa".

He told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: "Would this [question] ever have been asked to a European player towards a European Championship?

"Of course I will go to represent Ivory Coast. That is the highest honour."

However, the 27-year-old said having to miss club games "is very frustrating". Haller added: "I hate having to choose between my country and my club."

Although several Premier League clubs will be without key players in January - including Crystal Palace who are set to lose Cheikhou Kouyate, Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew - Eagles boss Vieira echoed Haller's sentiments.

"I respect and understand the passion and the importance to players to go and represent their country so I will never stop any player going to play the Africa Cup of Nations," said Vieira, a World Cup and European Championship winner as a player with France.

"I believe that competition needs to be more respected - because this competition is as important as the European Championships."

Title hopefuls Liverpool face significant absences, with the Premier League's leading scorer Mohamed Salah, fellow forward Sadio Mane and midfielder Naby Keita set to take part in the tournament.

Leaders Manchester City will lose Riyad Mahrez, while second-placed Chelsea will be without goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and West Ham's Said Benrahma will be with Algeria.

Leeds United, Newcastle United, Norwich City and Tottenham are the only Premier League clubs not losing any players for the tournament.

Players are allowed to play for their clubs until 3 January before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations after Fifa rules stating clubs must release players by 27 December was changed "in the spirit of goodwill and solidarity".

"Loads of the best players in Europe right now are African," said Wright.

"If we love them at club level why can't we love them at international level like their counterparts across the globe? Why is this tournament constantly getting so much flak?

"I have got to give a shout out to the players like Sebastien Haller who are taking a stand against the media backlash, plus Patrick Vieira for coming out and speaking about this.

"This is why it is important to have a black manager who can let people understand where his roots are and how important this tournament is for African people.

"I want to wish Cameroon every success in hosting this tournament and and all the very best to the players and the fans."

BBC

What more can fifa do, tournament is played mid season because the heat is unbearable so from a scheduling point of view it doesn't make sense, also you cant expect a winter break during AFCON because it only is one continent playing , arab cup was played recently without fanfare, teams allowed players t decide whether to go or not, bigger players decided clubs were more important and stayed home. Asia cup is usually played mid season and people in Asia dont even know its going on let alone rest of world.

I get africa have provided key players to all european leagues and managers should have a bit more understanding towards the players who leave but football is a business , if a managers loses his best player half way through the season of course he is going to be unhappy but life goes on.

 

[MenInG]

Sixteen Premier League clubs and Rangers are set to be impacted by the Africa Cup of Nations in January and February. Who are they? And which players could be absent?

The Africa Cup of Nations will run from January 9 to February 6, with 40 Premier League players potentially being called up for duty for the tournament in Cameroon.

Those called up to AFCON could miss at least one Premier League round (weekend of January 15/16), the FA Cup third round (weekend of January 8) and the Carabao Cup semi-finals (w/c January 3 and January 10) in the best-case scenario.

In December, it was confirmed by the Confederation of African Football [CAF] that players heading to the finals will be allowed to feature for their clubs until January 3.

Many were set to miss matches because of the rule that dictates clubs must release players 14 days before a continental championship or the World Cup.

But CAF has agreed to allow players to appear for their clubs between December 27 and January 3 before joining up with their national squads for the Cup of Nations finals, which kick off in Cameroon on January 9.

Depending on when clubs release their players, and how fit they are on return, in the worst case, players could miss four Premier League rounds, both Carabao Cup semi-finals and both the FA Cup third and fourth rounds.

That could prove a problem for teams like Liverpool, who will likely see Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita selected for the tournament, as well as Watford, Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Leicester (all four players).

Due to Covid-19 impacting the World Cup qualifying schedules, there will also be a double round of fixtures in the South American (CONMEBOL), North and Central American (CONCACAF), Asian (AFC) and Oceanic (OFC) confederations in late January and early February, though these games will fall during the Premier League's winter break.

However, there could be complications for the FA Cup fourth round on the weekend of February 5, with some CONCACAF Qualifiers not finishing until the early hours of February 3.

Here, we run through the clubs impacted by AFCON, the players potentially involved, and the games they could miss.

Premier League teams will need to release their players for AFCON after the final top-flight games before the tournament taking place across January 1, 2 and 3.

The Carabao Cup semi-final first leg is scheduled for the midweek of January 3 and the FA Cup third round is scheduled for the weekend of January 8, with AFCON kicking off on January 9 and the group stages finishing on January 20. In that period, the Carabao Cup semi-final second legs are scheduled for the midweek of January 10, and there will be a Premier League round across January 14, 15 and 16.

There is also a Premier League round scheduled across January 21, 22 and 23, but players may be able to return in time to feature for their club. Liverpool, for example, have three players likely to feature at AFCON, but play on January 23 at Crystal Palace, three days after the group stage finishes.

The AFCON round of 16 takes place from January 23 to January 26, meaning players whose nations qualify for the knockout stages will be unavailable for the Premier League.

The AFCON quarter-finals (January 29 and 30), semi-finals (February 2 and 3) and final/third-place play-off (February 6) could impact the FA Cup fourth-round ties, scheduled for the weekend of February 5, before the Premier League returns on the midweek of February 8 and 9 after the winter break.

January 1, 2 and 3 - Premier League round 21
Midweek of January 3 - Carabao Cup semi-final first leg
Weekend of January 8 - FA Cup third round
January 9 - AFCON group stage starts
Midweek of January 10 - Carabao Cup semi-final second leg
January 14, 15, 16 - Premier League round 22
January 17 - Scottish Premiership resumes following winter break
January 20 - AFCON group stage ends
January 20, 21 and 22 - Scottish Cup fourth round
January 21, 22 and 23 - Premier League round 23
January 23 to 26 - AFCON last 16
January 26 - Scottish Premiership round 22
January 29 and 30 - AFCON quarter-finals
January 29 - Scottish Premiership round 23
February 1 and 2 - Scottish Premiership round 24
February 2 and 3 - AFCON semi-finals
Weekend of February 5 - FA Cup fourth round
February 5 and 6 - Scottish Premiership round 25
February 6 - AFCON final and third-place play-off
February 8 and 9 - Premier League round 24
February 9 - Scottish Premiership round 26

Which PL clubs are impacted?

Arsenal

Players selected: Thomas Partey (Ghana), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Nicolas Pepe (Ivory Coast), Mohamed Elneny (Egypt), Omar Rekik (Tunisia)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 9: Nottingham Forest (A)

PL games impacted: Jan 16: Tottenham (A); Jan 22: Burnley (H); Feb 8: Wolves (A)

Aston Villa
Players selected: Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Trezeguet (Egypt)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 10: Manchester United (A)

PL games impacted: Jan 15: Man Utd (H); Jan 22: Everton (A); Feb 8: Leeds (H)

Brentford
Players selected: Frank Onyeka (Nigeria), Julian Jeanvier (Guinea), Tariqe Fosu-Henry (Ghana)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 8: Port Vale (A)

PL games impacted: Jan 15: Liverpool (A); Jan 22: Wolves (H); Feb 9: Man City (A)

Brighton
Player selected: Yves Bissouma (Mali)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 8: West Brom (A)

PL games impacted: Jan 14: Crystal Palace (H); Jan 22: Leicester (A); Feb 8: Chelsea (H)

Burnley
Player selected: Maxwel Cornet (Ivory Coast)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 8: Huddersfield Town (H)

PL games impacted: Jan 15: Leicester (H); Jan 22: Arsenal (A); Feb 8: Man Utd (H)

Player selected: Edouard Mendy (Senegal)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 8: Chesterfield (H)

PL games impacted: Jan 15: Man City (A); Jan 23: Tottenham (H); Feb 8: Brighton (A)

Crystal Palace
Players selected: Cheikhou Kouyate (Senegal), Jordan Ayew (Ghana), Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 8: Millwall (A)

PL games impacted: Jan 14: Brighton (A); Jan 23: Liverpool (H); Feb 8: Norwich (A)

Everton
Player selected: Alex Iwobi (Nigeria)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 8: Hull City (A)

PL games impacted: Jan 15: Norwich (A); Jan 22: Aston Villa (H); Feb 9: Newcastle (A)

Leicester
Players selected: Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria), Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria), Daniel Amartey (Ghana), Nampalys Mendy (Senegal)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 8: Watford (H)

PL games impacted: Jan 15: Burnley (A); Jan 22: Brighton (H); Jan 9: Liverpool (A)

Liverpool
Players selected: Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Sadio Mane (Senegal), Naby Keita (Guinea)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 9: Shrewsbury Town (H)

PL games impacted: Jan 15: Brentford (H); Jan 23: Crystal Palace (A); Feb 9: Leicester (H)

Player selected: Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 7: Swindon Town (A)

PL games impacted: Jan 15: Chelsea (H); Jan 22: Southampton (A); Feb 9: Brentford (H)

Man Utd
Players selected: Eric Bailly (Ivory Coast), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 10: Aston Villa (H)

PL games impacted: Jan 15: Aston Villa (A); Jan 22: West Ham (H); Feb 8: Burnley (A)

Southampton
Players selected: Moussa Djenepo (Mali)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 8: Swansea (A)

PL games impacted: Jan 15: Wolves (A); Jan 22: Man City (H); Feb 9: Tottenham (A)

Watford
Players selected: William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria), Imran Louza (Morocco), Adam Masina (Morocco), Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 8: Leicester (A)

PL games impacted: Jan 15: Newcastle (A); Jan 21: Norwich (H); Feb 8: West Ham (A)

West Ham
Players selected: Said Benrahma (Algeria)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 9: Leeds (H)

PL games impacted: Jan 16: Leeds (H); Jan 22: Man Utd (A); Feb 8: Watford (H)

Wolves
Players selected: Willy Boly (Ivory Coast), Romain Saiss (Morocco)

FA Cup game impacted: Jan 9: Sheffield United (H)

PL games impacted: Jan 15: Southampton (H); Jan 22: Brentford (A); Feb 8: Arsenal (H)

Any players heading from the EFL?

Middlesbrough: James Lea Siliki (Cameroon)
Fulham: Jean Michael Seri (Ivory Coast)
Nottingham Forest: Mohamed Drager (Tunisia)
QPR: Ilias Chair (Morocco), Seny Dieng (Senegal), Osman Kakay (Sierra Leone)
Reading: Baba Abdul Rahman (Ghana), Andy Yiadom (Ghana)
Plymouth Argyle: Panutchi Pereira Camara (Guinea-Bissau)
Swindon Town: Jojo Wollacott (Ghana)

What about SPFL players?

Derek McInnes says Joe Aribo will be a loss to Rangers if the midfielder is selected to represent Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations
Rangers
Players selected: Joe Aribo (Nigeria)

Scottish Cup game impacted: Jan 21: Stirling Albion (H)

Scottish Premiership games impacted: Jan 18: Aberdeen (A), Jan 26: Livingston (H), Jan 29: Ross County (A), Feb 2: Celtic (A), Feb 6: Hearts (H)

Player selected: Ferdinand Mendy (Guinea-Bissau)

Scottish Cup game impacted: Jan 22: Celtic (H)

Scottish League One games impacted: Jan 8: Montrose (A), Jan 15: Queen's Park (H), Jan 29: Clyde (A), Feb 5: Peterhead (A)

Sky Sports to show AFCON live

The Africa Cup of Nations tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in January and February.

The tournament, originally scheduled to be played in June and July 2021, will be played in Cameroon between January 9 and February 6, 2022, with Sky Sports showing all 52 games live.

Twenty-four teams will take part, kicking off on January 9 as hosts Cameroon host Burkina Faso in Yaounde, before culminating in the final on February 6 in the capital.


SKY

 

[Saj]

Watford striker Emmanuel Dennis will not play in the Africa Cup of Nations after the Nigerian Football Federation said his club are "baring fangs".

Nigeria have been hit by a double blow to their attack after Dennis and Napoli top goalscorer Victor Osimhen both dropped out of their squad for the tournament in Cameroon.

Dennis is not being released by Watford because the Nigerian federation did not request him for the tournament in time, with the federation releasing a statement on Friday.

 

[MenInG]

Senegal have accused Watford of refusing to release Ismaila Sarr for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Forward Sarr, 23, was named in the Senegal squad last month despite currently being sidelined with a knee injury sustained in November.

The 24-team competition being held in Cameroon begins on January 9 and will feature a host of leading Premier League and European players.

"By mail on Friday, December 31, the English club Watford notified on the basis of arguments equally specious as fallacious its decision to block the player Ismaila Sarr, who has expressed his desire to join the Senegalese selection for the next Cup of Nations in Cameroon," said a Senegal Football Federation (FSF) statement.

The FSF added it responded immediately to confirm the player's call-up and the club's obligation to release the player by no later than January 3.

Senegal, the 2019 runners-up, say they will take the matter up with FIFA if required.

"The Senegal Football Federation wishes to express with this communication its deep condemnation of the disrespectful, pernicious and discriminatory behaviour of Watford's hierarchy who look by all means to prevent a player from playing with his national team," the statement concluded.

A club statement read: "Ismaila Sarr suffered a knee ligament injury on November 20 in the match against Manchester United and has not been fit to play for Watford FC since that date.

"In early December, the Club wrote to the Senegal Football Federation outlining the clinical diagnosis of Ismaïla's injury and immediately followed that up by supplying the MRI scans detailing the extent of the injury. After further consultation with medical experts, we informed the Federation of Ismaila's rehabilitation process and likely timeframe of recovery.

"Within the past 10 days, the Club has reiterated to the Senegal Football Federation the player's current medical status and recovery schedule.

"The Hornets have also invited the Senegal Football Federation to instruct their own independent surgeon to confirm the diagnosis and rehabilitation period."

Speaking on Friday, Claudio Ranieri insisted Watford did not disrespect the Africa Cup of Nations after it was confirmed that Emmanuel Dennis will not be part of Nigeria's squad.

Watford striker Emmanuel Dennis, who has scored eight Premier League goals since his summer arrival, will not join up with Nigeria after the club said the Nigeria Football Federation did not request him for the tournament in time.

Head coach Claudio Ranieri insisted Watford had not disrespected the Africa Cup of Nations after Nigeria accused them of "baring fangs".

Watford sit 17th in the Premier League club, two points outside the relegation places, after a spottage-time winner by Tottenham on Saturday consigned them to a sixth successive loss.

Former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright says media coverage of Europe-based players travelling to the Africa Cup of Nations is "disrespectful" and "tinged with racism".

The 24-team competition begins on January 9 and will feature a host of leading Premier League players, with Sky Sports showing all 52 games live.

Sixteen Premier League clubs and Rangers are set to be impacted by the Africa Cup of Nations in January and February, with 40 players potentially called up.

Wright said coverage of the tournament and the issue of player release during the European season is in marked contrast to how Euro 2020 was treated.

"Is there ever a tournament more disrespected than the Africa Cup of Nations?" Wright said in a video posted on Instagram.

"There is no greater honour than representing your country. The coverage is completely tinged with racism.

"We played our Euros across 10 countries in the middle of a pandemic and there's no issue at all. But Cameroon, a single country hosting a tournament, is a problem."

Wright added that he objected to players being asked whether or not they intend to play for their countries.

"You are getting players getting asked if they will be honouring the call-ups to their national teams. Imagine if that was an English player representing the Three Lions. Can you imagine the furore?"

https://www.skysports.com/football/...-refusing-to-release-ismaila-sarr-say-senegal

 

[Saj]

Algeria have beaten Ghana 3-0 in a Afcon warm-up match today.

 

[MenInG]

Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has tested positive for Covid-19 just four days before his country's first game at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Aubameyang and Nice midfielder Mario Lemina returned positive lateral flow tests on arrival at Yaounde's airport in Cameroon.

Coach Anicet Yala also tested positive.

Head coach Patrice Neveu told AFP that the trio, who are all asymptomatic, are isolating in their hotel rooms and awaiting results of PCR tests.

Gabon play their opening Group C match against Comoros on Monday, with their second group game against Ghana on Friday, 14 January.
Arsenal striker Aubameyang, 32, was dropped by the Gunners and stripped of the club's captaincy last month for disciplinary reasons.
Hosts Cameroon play in the first game of the Nations Cup against Burkina Faso on Sunday (16:00 GMT).

 

[Saj]

Africa Cup of Nations organisers have confirmed teams will have to play matches provided they have 11 players available, should they be depleted by Covid-19 cases.

Cameroon's match against Burkina Faso on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, will start the tournament, which features 52 fixtures, and the rules have been clarified about how teams will cope with absentees due to Covid-19.

Any country that does not have a minimum of 11 players available will be considered to have lost the match 0-2.
Organisers have also outlined that each team will be permitted to use a maximum of five substitutes, with a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions during the game.

 

[Saj]

Edouard Mendy will miss Senegal's opening Africa Cup of Nations match against Zimbabwe on Monday after testing positive for coronavirus.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Burkina Faso lead Cameroon 1-0 in the opening game of the 2022 CAN in Yaoundé.

The opening goal:

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[Last Monetarist]

1-1 now, Cameroon equalize through a penalty.

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[Last Monetarist]

Vincent Aboubacar gives Cameroon the lead with his second penalty of the half. Burkina Faso have imploded before half-time.

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[MenInG]

Burkina Faso were fortunate to still have 11 players on the pitch after just one minute of the opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.

 

[MenInG]

Malawi's coach Mario Marinica and 6 players have been sidelined for their opener after returning positive Covid-19 results.

 

[Saj]

Cameroon came from behind to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in an incident-packed opener at the Africa Cup of Nations.

An acrobatic volley from Gustavo Sangare put the Burkinabe ahead midway through the first half in Yaounde.

But two unerring penalties from captain Vincent Aboubakar turned the game around for the hosts before half-time.

Indomitable Lions keeper Andre Onana made two crucial second-half saves as Toni Conceicao's side opened their Group A campaign with victory.

 

[Saj]

In today's second match - Cape Verde beat Ethiopia 1-0

 

[MenInG]

Senegal 1-0 Zimbabwe

Mané (90'+7minutes pen)

 

[MenInG]

A Sadio Mane penalty seven minutes into stoppage time enabled a lacklustre Senegal to beat Zimbabwe 1-0 as both sides opened Group B in Bafoussam.

Defeat was harsh on Zimbabwe who had made Senegal, one of the tournament favourites, look distinctly ordinary.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Kelvin Madzongwe was adjudged to have handled as he turned his back on a strike from substitute Pape Gueye.

Liverpool's Mane rifled home to give Senegal the perfect start to the group.

Featuring a side shorn of several players, including captain Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy, because of Covid, the Senegalese had earlier missed a host of chances.

The best fell to midfielder Gana Gueye shortly before half-time but the Paris Saint-Germain star could not control an easy pass from Mane with the goal beckoning.

Mane himself had been denied earlier in the half when shooting straight at Zimbabwe goalkeeper Petros Mhari, who impressed, after wriggling into space in the box.

Senegal came into this tournament seeking a first Nations Cup crown after losing the 2019 final to Algeria but were far from their best after only being able to name 17 players, out of a squad of 28, owing to a mix of Covid cases and injuries.

The West Africans started the lunchtime kick-off in impressive fashion, with Bayern Munich's Bouna Sarr striking a low shot just inches wide before Keita Balde also failed to hit the target when he had time on the ball.

At the other end, Knowledge Musona let fly from 20 yards only to see his fine strike whistle past the post as Zimbabwe, looking to reach the knock-out stages for the first time, went close.

Shortly after half-time, Pape Cisse spurned a glorious chance to break the deadlock but could only steer his free header from a corner powerfully past the post with Mhari stranded.

Ultimately, Senegal - Africa's top-ranked side for the last three years - failed to impress against a well-organised Zimbabwe side who showed no ill effect from the uncertainty surrounding their participation at the finals.

In the run-up to the tournament, the threat of a ban by football's world governing body had loomed after a government-mandated body had taken control of the local FA, which goes against Fifa regulations.

The southern Africans were seconds away from keeping their first clean sheet at the Nations Cup, at the 13th attempt, only to be undone when referee Mario Escobar pointed to the spot, with VAR backing his on-field decision.

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

Sofiane Boufal's 82nd-minute strike helped Morocco to a narrow win over Group C rivals Ghana in their Africa Cup of Nations opener.

The former Southampton winger pounced on to a loose ball before hammering his effort into the far corner.

It was a rare moment of quality in an otherwise uneventful game as four-time winners Ghana frustrated their opponents.

Morocco were untroubled in the closing stages, cantering to their win.

 

[Saj]

Watched some of the Morocco match and they looked impressive.

Solid at the back and looked pretty good in midfield.

Problem might be their attacking options/goals.


Sofiane Boufal's 82nd-minute strike handed Morocco a narrow win over Group C rivals Ghana in their Africa Cup of Nations opener.

The former Southampton winger pounced on to a loose ball before hammering his effort into the far corner.

It was a rare moment of quality in an otherwise uneventful game in Yaounde as four-time winners Ghana frustrated their opponents.

Morocco were untroubled in the closing stages, cantering to their win.

 

[MenInG]

Guinea opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 1-0 win over a spirited Malawi side.

The only goal came when left-back Issiaga Sylla slotted in 10 minutes before the break after good hold-up play by striker Jose Kante.

Yet the West Africans had keeper Aly Keita to thank for a string of saves in their Group B encounter in Bafoussam.

He pushed over three long-range strikes in the first half and later bravely dived at the feet of Yamikani Chester.

Guinea, captained by Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita, join Senegal at the top of the group on three points after the Teranga Lions beat Zimbabwe earlier on Monday.

Malawi, appearing at their first Nations Cup since 2010, were composed on the ball and had a glorious chance to take the lead from a one-on-one but striker Chester scuffed his shot straight at Keita.

Guinea then saw defender Ibrahima Sory Conte head against the upright before Sylla broke the deadlock.

Keeper Keita had to be alert to keep out Micium Mhone's 30-yard drive, Limbikani Mvaza's 35-yard free-kick and Peter Banda's curling effort from outside the box before Malawi's Ernest Kakhobwe made a smart double-save to deny Aguibou Camara at the end of the first half.

After Chester was denied again just before the hour mark, Flames forward Khuda Muyaba sent another good opportunity straight at Keita.

Both sides were without players because of positive Covid-19 tests, but Malawi were only able to name four substitutes and have called up several reserve players to bolster their squad.

Tournament rules state sides must play if they have 11 fit players - even if they have no recognised goalkeeper.

Guinea face 2019 runners-up Senegal and Malawi take on Zimbabwe on Friday.

BBC

 

[Saj]

Aaron Boupendza's first-half finish was the difference as Gabon edged past Africa Cup of Nations debutants Comoros in Group C.

Gabon forward Louis Ameka latched on to a loose ball before playing in Boupendza to strike from a tight angle after 16 minutes.

In the second half Gabon's Denis Bouanga twice forced Comoros keeper Ali Ahamada into fine reaction saves.

Comoros created little in response as the West Africans cruised to victory.

 

[MenInG]

Algeria began the defence of their Africa Cup of Nations title with a goalless draw against a stubborn and spirited Sierra Leone side in Group E.

The Leone Stars had the better first-half openings, with Alhaji Kamara sending two chances narrowly wide.

After the break Algeria forward Yacine Brahimi shot straight at keeper Mohamed Nbalie Kamara, who also tipped a low shot from Riyad Mahrez past the post.

Kamara then denied Ramy Bensebaini and Baghdad Bounedjah in stoppage time.

Former England defender Steven Caulker, who recently switched international allegiance to Sierra Leone, made two crucial blocks to help his side to a clean sheet on their first Nations Cup appearance since 1996.

 

[MenInG]

Ivory Coast goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo has been suspended by football's world governing body Fifa for an alleged doping violation.

The 33-year-old had been expected to be first choice for his country at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, with the Elephants facing Equatorial Guinea in their first game on Wednesday (19:00 GMT).

National team coach Patrice Beaumelle was notified on 26 December that Gbohouo had tested positive for trimetazidine, a heart medication that the World Anti-Doping Agency categorises as a stimulant.

Gbohouo had been named in Ivory Coast's squad for the tournament three days earlier and was subsequently provisionally suspended.

His ban has now been confirmed by Fifa and Gbohouo, who plays his club football in Ethiopia for Wolkite City, has appealed against the ruling.

"We had hope of getting a favourable response from Fifa but yesterday I learned that they were upholding their decision," Beaumelle said.

Beaumelle added that the player, who was part of the 2015 Nations Cup-winning squad, was training alone, had lost weight and "is not sleeping".

Ivory Coast are in Group E alongside holders Algeria, Sierra Leone and the Equatoguineans, with Badra Ali Sangare, Abdoul Karim Cisse and Ira Eliezer Tape their other three keepers in Cameroon.

Elephants supporting Gbohouo

Beaumelle said "part of a molecule - a residue" had been found in a sample provided by Gbohouo.

"It's been really difficult for the player," the Frenchman, who was appointed in March 2020, added.

"He's been here since 5 January not knowing if he'll be able to play. He's not eating anymore, he's lost weight, he's not sleeping.

"I hope he stays with us, because I think he has an important role to play around the team if he can't be in the team.

"He's a great keeper and an excellent person. Its really hard for him and his family and we are all supporting him because his career isn't finished."

Former TP Mazembe keeper Gbohouo was in goal for the majority of Ivory Coast's triumphant Nations Cup campaign in 2015, but was injured for the final, which was won 9-8 on penalties following a 0-0 draw against West African rivals Ghana.

Beaumelle, meanwhile, was assistant to then-Elephants coach Herve Renard seven years ago.

BBC

 

[Last Monetarist]

Kelechi Iheanacho was on target as Nigeria comfortably beat seven-time champions Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations Group D opener.

The Leicester City striker opened the scoring in the 30th minute, burying a stunning half-volley on the turn.

Nigeria dominated throughout, with Egypt keeper Mohamed El Shenawy tipping a Taiwo Awoniyi header on to the bar just after the restart.

The Pharaohs offered little in response after falling behind in Garoua.

 

[Saj]

Guinea-Bissau missed a late penalty as they were held by Sudan in their Group D opener in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Midfielder Pele saw his 82nd-minute spot-kick kept out by Sudan goalkeeper Ali Abdalla, with Toni Silva striking the bar on the rebound.

Abdalla had been adjudged to have fouled Steve Ambri inside the area.

Joseph Mendes also twice went close for Guinea-Bissau, heading against the post in the first half and seeing an effort cleared off the line late on.

 

[James]

<b>AFCON 2021: How Nigeria neutralised Mohamed Salah in win over Egypt</b>

Nigeria interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has revealed that his "double-team" strategy neutralised Egypt star Mohamed Salah to help the Super Eagles secure an important 1-0 win at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The build-up to Tuesday's crunch clash between the two Group D favourites centred around the Liverpool star, who is widely regarded as the best player in the world at the moment.

But Salah cut an isolated figure as the Pharaohs struggled to impose themselves in Garoua, while the West Africans dominated the game.

"In terms of preparation and strategy, we had a special plan for Mohamed Salah because we know his quality," Eguavoen told BBC Sport Africa.

"Basketball is one game that I love so much. When you are playing against the likes of Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan and others if you don't double-team you'll have a problem.

"That is the same strategy that I bring into football. So when Mo Salah is with the ball, the closest person goes to him and the next person has to double-team to make him play back.

"It worked for us like 80%, but Salah broke loose one or two occasions which is normal, but again congratulations to the boys because they are so intelligent."

The Super Eagles had sacked long-serving boss Gernot Rohr just four weeks before the tournament following an underwhelming World Cup qualification campaign.

Before the tournament, interim manager Eguavoen had had his work cut out following injury to experienced defenders Leon Balogun and Shehu Abdullahi, with strikers Victor Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis and Odion Ighalo all forced out of the squad for Cameroon.

The 56-year-old, who heaped praise on the competitive spirit of his depleted side, added: "Let's not go too far ahead of ourselves. But I am extremely proud of the boys."

"There were comments and stuff being said about them before the tournament but they are absolutely professional. When you tell them something it sinks in immediately and that is a good thing we've got going well for us.

"They followed instructions, they did exactly what we wanted them to do. When you are tired someone automatically fill the gap for you. This is the only spirit that can take us very far. Respect the players and they return the treatment."

Three-time African champions Nigeria will face Sudan on Saturday (16:00 GMT), before finishing their Group D campaign against Guinea-Bissau on 19 January.

— — —

 

[MenInG]

Mali beat Tunisia 1-0 at the Africa Cup of Nations in a Group F game which ended in controversy.

Carthage Eagles coach Mondher Kebaier and his technical staff rushed onto the field at full-time after referee Janny Sikazwe failed to add any injury time.

The second half saw two stoppages for video assistant referee checks, as well as a drinks break.

Ibrahima Kone's penalty won it, with Mali keeper Ibrahim Mounkoro later saving a spot-kick from Wahbi Khazri.

There had already been confusion in the Limbe Stadium as Sikazwe had appeared to blow his full-time whistle with five minutes remaining.

Kebaier and his staff angrily confronted the Zambian official and his assistants on the pitch, pointing to their watches and remonstrating about the lack of added time.

Sikazwe had taken time at the VAR monitor before awarding Tunisia a penalty after Khazri's cross flicked the hand of Moussa Djenepo, with more than two minutes elapsing between the incident and the ball being placed on the spot.

There was also a cooling drinks break after Mounkoro dived to his right to push away Khazri's well-struck penalty, and the referee returned to consult VAR after brandishing a red card to Mali substitute El Bilal Toure late on.

The second 45 minutes had also seen several substitutions in five separate windows.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Mali beat Tunisia 1-0 at the Africa Cup of Nations in a Group F game which ended in controversy.

Carthage Eagles coach Mondher Kebaier and his technical staff rushed onto the field at full-time after referee Janny Sikazwe failed to add any injury time.

The second half saw two stoppages for video assistant referee checks, as well as a drinks break.

Ibrahima Kone's penalty won it, with Mali keeper Ibrahim Mounkoro later saving a spot-kick from Wahbi Khazri.

There had already been confusion in the Limbe Stadium as Sikazwe had appeared to blow his full-time whistle with five minutes remaining.

Kebaier and his staff angrily confronted the Zambian official and his assistants on the pitch, pointing to their watches and remonstrating about the lack of added time.

Sikazwe had taken time at the VAR monitor before awarding Tunisia a penalty after Khazri's cross flicked the hand of Moussa Djenepo, with more than two minutes elapsing between the incident and the ball being placed on the spot.

There was also a cooling drinks break after Mounkoro dived to his right to push away Khazri's well-struck penalty, and the referee returned to consult VAR after brandishing a red card to Mali substitute El Bilal Toure late on.

The second 45 minutes had also seen several substitutions in five separate windows.

BBC

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Have you EVER seen anything like it! &#55358;&#56623;<br><br>▪ Referee ends match early...<br>▪ Press conferences interrupted as AFCON officials say match must resume!<br>▪ Referee changed for final three minutes!<br>▪ Tunisia fail to return to the pitch! <br><br>Unbelievable, Jeff. &#55357;&#56883;<a href="https://t.co/MfSfT0YJH1">pic.twitter.com/MfSfT0YJH1</a></p>— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1481293454692990983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Saj]

Crazy stuff earlier today:

Mali and Tunisia's Africa Cup of Nations game ended in chaos after the referee first signalled for full-time on 85 minutes, then ended the game when the clock showed 89 minutes and 47 seconds.

Tunisia coach Mondher Kebaier and his technical staff raced on to the field to confront referee Janny Sikazwe after his final whistle consigned them to a 1-0 defeat in Group F.

Twenty minutes later, after Mali manager Mohamed Magassouba's post-match press conference had started, tournament organisers ordered the game to be played to a conclusion.

However, in more farcical scenes, Tunisia's players did not return to the field and Mali were declared winners.

Kebaier called the referee's actions "inexplicable", adding: "He blew for full time and asked us to go to the dressing room, so the players were in their ice baths and then he asked us to come back out.

"In 30 years in this business, I have never seen anything like it."

 

[Saj]

The Gambia enjoyed a dream Africa Cup of Nations debut by beating Mauritania 1-0 in Limbe to go joint-top of Group F.

Ablie Jallow struck the winner after 10 minutes as he controlled Musa Barrow's pass with one touch before scoring from 25 yards with his second.

Mauritania rallied strongly late in the first half but failed to seriously trouble Gambian goalkeeper Modou Jobe.

The Scorpions move level with Mali, who beat Tunisia 1-0 earlier on Wednesday.

Lying 150th, The Gambia are the lowest-ranked team at the Nations Cup in Cameroon, and next face Mali

 

[Saj]

Ivory Coast captain Max Gradel scored a spectacular winner as the Elephants narrowly beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations opener.

Ex-Bournemouth and Leeds forward Gradel lashed the two-time champions ahead from 20 yards with the outside of his right foot just five minutes in.

Equatorial Guinea had chances to level but Iban Salvador sliced their best opening horribly wide from seven yards.

Badra Ali Sangare later saved from Emilio Nsue as Ivory Coast held out.

 

[Firebat]

Group tables after the first round of fixtures:

 

[LongHorn]

Mali were very impressive against Tunisia
So far Morocco, Nigeria and Algeria look like the 3 strongest teams

 

[MenInG]

Tunisia's football federation (FTF) has written to the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to complain about their game with Mali ending 13 seconds early.

The Tunisians were trailing 1-0 when Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe, said to have suffered sunstroke, blew early.

He had already whistled for full-time after 85 minutes, only to notice his error and continue the match.

"We will do whatever it takes to defend the rights of the national team," FTF official Hussein Jenaieh said later.

"We are not children."

FTF media officer Kais Reguez refused to go into details when asked about the nature of Tunisia's complaint, which he did confirm.

"As long as the file is in the hands of the Caf committees, we cannot speak out," Reguez told BBC Sport Africa.

Match referee Sikazwe reportedly had to go to hospital to recover after the match, which is why the fourth official was set to take charge of a failed attempt to restart the game over 20 minutes later.

While Mali turned up, Tunisia did not, since some of their players were taking ice baths.

"The referee had sunstroke, which affected his decisions in the game," Caf refereeing official Essam Abdul Fattah told Egyptian media. "After the game, he needed to go hospital because the weather was so hot."

After their unexpected 0-0 draw against Sierra Leone, defending champions Algeria blamed their display on the heat in Cameroon.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) said on Thursday it was awaiting further details from the various match officials before commentating.

"Caf is forwarding these documents to the competent bodies of Caf," the body said in a statement. "At this stage, Caf is not in a position to make further comment until the responsible bodies indicate the way forward."

How a farce involved

Tunisia, the 2004 champions, came into the tournament knowing that a young and vibrant Mali side were likely to be their main group rivals.

Trailing with just five minutes of regulation time left, they were stunned when referee Sikazwe blew for full-time.

The Zambian later checked his timings and continued the game, sending off a Malian player in the meantime, only to then blow up with the clock showing 89 minutes and 47 seconds.

In extraordinary scenes, the Mali coach's 'post-match' press conference was interrupted as it was announced the game would have to re-start to conclude, which it never did.

"They asked us to get back on the pitch, we didn't - we had no idea what was going on," Tunisia defender Bilel Ifa told reporters.

"We hope the match is replayed. The referee had no idea what was going on since the beginning of the game."

Tunisia's assistant coach was left furious by both the incident and its possible reputational damage for the African game.

"Unfortunately, we cannot see things like this at this high level in Africa - African Football cannot move forward like this," Tunisia's assistant coach Jalel Kadri told reporters.

"The referee was "shaken" today. He was even hesitant to check the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), he didn't even know how to get to the VAR."

Full-blown chaos

Zambian official Sikazwe refereed two group-stage matches at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and took charge of the 2017 Nations Cup final.

His reported sunstroke would explain much of the chaos that followed from the 85th minute onwards.

"We understood nothing in the 85th minute - we were in shock," added Kadri.

"We spoke to the fourth official who said there was miscommunication between him and the main referee who might have misunderstood him. We resumed the match only for him to whistle again in the 89th minute."

"We headed to the fourth official who agreed the game still hadn't ended," FTF official Jenaiah told reporters.

"We complained it was the second time the referee had stopped the game prematurely.

"The fourth official first said the match will resume, but as he headed to the main referee, the latter said 'No, I blew the whistle, the game is over'."

BBC

 

[Saj]

Africa Cup of Nations hosts Cameroon made a statement of intent when beating Ethiopia 4-1 to control Group A.

Forwards Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko-Ekambi shared the goals after the Ethiopians awoke the Indomitable Lions by taking an early lead.

Hotessa Dawa slid home after four minutes but the hosts were level after eight as Toko-Ekambi headed home.

In the second half, Aboubakar grabbed his brace before Lyon man Toko-Ekambi joined him after 67 minutes.

After his opening day double against Burkina Faso, with both goals coming from the penalty spot, Cameroon captain Aboubakar is the tournament top scorer after his header and tap-in took him to four goals.

He now has a record of five goals from ten Nations Cup games, a marked improvement from his first eight games producing just one goal, the winner itself in the 2017 final.

Coach Toni Conceicao's side, which won its sixth game in a row and is seeking a sixth title, now has six points and one step in the Round of 16.

They next meet Cape Verde, who play Burkina Faso later on Thursday, in their final group game on Monday.

 

[Saj]

Burkina Faso muscled their way to an important 1-0 victory over Cape Verde in Thursday's second game at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

After an opening defeat by the hosts, this was a must-win for the Stallions who claimed a narrow victory thanks to Hassane Bande's 40th-minute goal.

Cameroon lead Group A after beating Ethiopia, while Burkina Faso and Cape Verde stand level on three points each.

The Burkinabe were without Bertrand Traore after his positive Covid test.

 

[Junaids]

It's far from being a full-strength tournament.

I suspect that Nigeria will do best in Qatar.....if they get there. They can field a pretty strong team, albeit with dodgy centre-backs.

If you want two dark horses for Qatar, and mark my words on this [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] , keep an eye open for the USA and Canada.

Both have their strongest ever teams and squads, and after 8 of the 14 rounds of qualification the table looks like this:

1. Canada 16 points (+8 goal difference)
2. USA 15 points (+7 goal difference)
3. Mexico 14 points (+4 goal difference)

The 2026 World Cup is in North America, and I think the USA or Canada is likely to reach the last 4.

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

Medical help during an Afcon game

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[Saj]

Gabadinho Mhango scored twice as Malawi beat Zimbabwe 2-1 to boost their hopes of a first-ever appearance in the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Zimbabwe went ahead through a superb header from Ishmael Wadi but Mhango equalised five minutes later with a controlled half-volley.

And Mhango put the Flames ahead in their Group B clash by dinking over the keeper 13 minutes into the second half.

Malawi sit a point behind Guinea and Senegal, who both have four points.

Malawi know victory over pre-tournament favourites Senegal in their final group game on Tuesday will see them through to the knock-out stages, while a point could be enough to progress as one of four best third-placed sides.

 

[Saj]

Morocco advanced to the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 victory over Comoros in Group C.

Selim Amallah fired in a loose ball to open the scoring, and Zakaria Aboukhlal turned and finished to complete the win in the final minute.

But the Atlas Lions will be far from satisfied with a wasteful performance which included a missed penalty.

Comoros keeper Salim Ben Boina put in a hugely impressive display but could not prevent a defeat for the debutants.

Morocco have maximum points from their opening two games but were sloppy in front of goal - to the obvious frustration of coach Vahid Halilhodzic on the touchline.

 

[MenInG]

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been ruled out of Gabon's Africa Cup of Nations game against Ghana on Friday with 'heart lesions' after a bout of Covid.

The 32-year-old tested positive on arrival in Cameroon last week, as an outbreak spread among the squad.

 

[Saj]

Gabon scored a controversial late equaliser against Ghana to draw their Africa Cup of Nations Group C game 1-1.

The result puts the Panthers on the verge of qualification for the last 16 but leaves the Black Stars facing a nervous final round of matches.

Andre Ayew put Ghana in front midway through the first half but his strike was cancelled out by Gabon sub Jim Allevinah with a late strike.

 

[MenInG]

Nigeria cruised to a 3-1 victory over Sudan at the Africa Cup of Nations which booked their spot in the last 16.

Samuel Chukwueze set the ball rolling for the Super Eagles in the third minute from a Moses Simon pull-back.

Nigeria doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when the ball went in off Taiwo Awoniyi and Simon rolled in a third straight after half-time.

Walieldin Khedr pulled a goal back for Sudan from the penalty spot after Ola Aina was penalised for a challenge.

 

[Saj]

Mohamed Salah scored the only goal against Guinea-Bissau to kick-start Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

But the Pharaohs rode their luck as Mama Balde had a stunning late equaliser for the Djurtus ruled out after a video assistant referee review.

Record seven-time winners Egypt, who lost their Group D opener 1-0 against Nigeria, struck the woodwork three times in a game they largely dominated.

Salah volleyed in with 21 minutes left to secure a crucial victory in Garoua.

The Liverpool forward hit a first-time left-footed effort from the edge of the six-yard box which flew past the outstretched hand of Guinea-Bissau keeper Jonas Mendes.

In the 82nd minute, Balde cut in from the left and curled a shot just inside the right-hand upright, but the forward was adjudged to have fouled Egypt defender Omar Kamal in the build-up.

Egypt keeper Mohamed El Shenawy had to punch away a half-volley from Moreto Cassama in injury time to secure a result which moves the North Africans up to second in the Group D table, three points behind Nigeria but two points ahead of Guinea-Bissau and Sudan.

 

[Firebat]

Updated group standings:

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

The Gambia and Mali both moved to the brink of the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations as they played out a 1-1 draw in Limbe, Cameroon.

Both goals in the Group F encounter came from late penalties awarded via video assistant referee reviews.

Ibrahima Kone had put Mali ahead with 11 minutes left after Ebou Adams pushed over Yves Bissouma in the box.

But Musa Barrow grabbed a point for the debutants in the final minute after Bissouma was penalised for handball.

The Gambia and Mali are both on four points after two games, which could prove enough to qualify for the knock-out stages as one of four best third-placed teams.

The Gambia, the lowest ranked team in the competition, beat Mauritania 1-0 in their first-ever Nations Cup game and a place in the last 16 would be a fine achievement for Tom Saintfiet's Scorpions.

Mali controlled much of the first half but The Gambia came closest to breaking the deadlock, as Barrow rattled the crossbar with a powerful free-kick from over 30 yards out and Ablie Jallow curled onto the right-hand upright with Mali keeper Ibrahim Mounkoro beaten.

In hot and humid conditions, Scorpions keeper Modou Jobe bravely denied Adama Noss Traore and tipped over Amadou Haidara's curling free-kick in the second half, while Bissouma sent a shot narrowly over.

And, after Adams was found to have stopped Bissouma from latching on to Adama Malouda Traore's cut-back, Kone scored his second goal of the tournament - having also netted Mali's winner against Tunisia from the spot.

The Sarpsborg striker now has 10 goals in eight internationals for the Eagles, who have reached Africa's play-offs for the 2022 World Cup.

But the intervention from VAR did not end there as Ebrima Colley's centre hit Bissouma's arm at close range and referee Samir Guezzaz pointed to the spot once more after checking his monitor.

Bologna forward Barrow side-footed into the right-hand side of the net to spark celebrations for The Gambia, whose first ever appearance at a major tournament is proving to be memorable.

The Scorpions face Tunisia in their final Group F game on Thursday, with Mali taking on Mauritania (both 19:00 GMT).

BBC

 

[James]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59925796

<b>Ivory Coast 2-2 Sierra Leone</b>

Sierra Leone scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser to grab a 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations in Douala.

The Elephants had been coasting but an astonishing mistake from Badra Sangare allowed Alhadji Kamara to tap in.

Keeper Sangare fumbled a back-header and could only watch helplessly as Kamara secured a second successive draw for the Leone Stars in Group E.

It means they have every hope of going through to the last 16.

Sierra Leone have two points from two games, while the Ivorians top the group with four points to their name.

However, the Elephants still have work to do when they face defending champions Algeria on Thursday (16:00 GMT).

Both sides played their part in an enthralling match, which saw Ivory Coast miss an early penalty but then lead twice before Sierra Leone hit back in dramatic fashion.

The Ivorians should have already been in front in the 12th minute after Wilfried Zaha was brought down in the box by Sierra Leone captain Umaru Bangura's clumsy challenge.

But keeper Mohamed Nbalie Kamara, who was man of the match in the Leone Stars' opening game against Algeria, produced another great save to deny AC Milan's Franck Kessie's from the spot.

The Elephants did take lead in the 25th minute when Wilfried Zaha's outstanding pass found Sebastien Haller as the defence back-pedalled and the Ajax man ran on and fired home for his first goal at a Nations Cup finals.

Sierra Leone were never outclassed and got the reward they deserved early in the second half thanks to a magnificent left-footed strike from Musa Noah Kamara which brought them level with 55 minutes on the clock.

The equaliser provided the sting that Ivory Coast needed to up their game and 10 minutes later they were in front again.

Haller unselfishly laid the ball off to Ibrahim Sangare, who in turn fed Nicolas Pepe, and the Arsenal man curled into the bottom corner.

The Elephants wasted several clear-cut chances to wrap up the points, with substitute Hamad Traore particularly wasteful, and Nbalie Kamara pulled off off a couple more outstanding saves.

That always left open the chance that the Ivory Coast could be punished, and so it proved seven minutes into stoppage time when the Leone Stars pushed forward one last time, Sangare made his mistake and Kamara and Sierra Leone profited.

The keeper went off injured after that and the Elephants finished an amazing game with right-back Serge Aurier in goal, and he had work to do as Sierra Leone pushed for a winner.

Sierra Leone's final group game is against Equatorial Guinea in Limbe on Thursday and their confidence will be sky high after another impressive result and performance against another of Africa's heavyweights.

 

[James]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59925794

<b>Tunisia 4-0 Mauritania</b>

Tunisia bounced back from their controversial opening defeat at the Africa Cup of Nations by brushing aside Mauritania 4-0 in Group F.

Hamza Mathlouthi drove in a half volley in the fourth minute and Wahbi Khazri slotted in a second four minutes later.

Khazri got his second after the break and Seifeddine Jaziri added the fourth.

Tunisia had lost their first game 1-0 to Mali - a match which was ended 13 seconds early - but their protests were dismissed by tournament organisers.

Youssef Msakni, who came off the bench to feature at his seventh Nations Cup after recovering from coronavirus, missed a late penalty for the 2004 champions, pulling his effort against the left-hand upright.

The Carthage Eagles are just the second team to score four goals in a game at this year's Nations Cup, after hosts Cameroon, and victory puts them a point behind The Gambia and Mali.

Tunisia face the Gambians in their final group match on Friday (19:00 GMT), while back-to-back defeats mean Mauritania can no longer reach the last 16.

Africa Cup of Nations fixtures
Africa Cup of Nations group tables
Tunisia showed no sign of any lingering frustration following the fall-out from their first defeat, taking control inside the opening 10 minutes in Limbe.

Former Sunderland attacker Khazri, who had seen a penalty saved against Mali, made no mistake for the opener when he controlled a ball from Anis Ben Slimane and passed into the net to double his side's lead.

His second in the 64th minute capped a fine team move, as Khazri stepped over a ball into the box and stroked home after being found by Ghaylene Chaalali.

Two minutes later Khazri, now at Saint-Etienne, rounded off a captain's performance as his defence-splitting through-ball was converted first time by Jaziri with the outside of the right boot.

 

[MenInG]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59925796

<b>Ivory Coast 2-2 Sierra Leone</b>

Sierra Leone scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser to grab a 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations in Douala.

The Elephants had been coasting but an astonishing mistake from Badra Sangare allowed Alhadji Kamara to tap in.

Keeper Sangare fumbled a back-header and could only watch helplessly as Kamara secured a second successive draw for the Leone Stars in Group E.

It means they have every hope of going through to the last 16.

Sierra Leone have two points from two games, while the Ivorians top the group with four points to their name.

However, the Elephants still have work to do when they face defending champions Algeria on Thursday (16:00 GMT).

Both sides played their part in an enthralling match, which saw Ivory Coast miss an early penalty but then lead twice before Sierra Leone hit back in dramatic fashion.

The Ivorians should have already been in front in the 12th minute after Wilfried Zaha was brought down in the box by Sierra Leone captain Umaru Bangura's clumsy challenge.

But keeper Mohamed Nbalie Kamara, who was man of the match in the Leone Stars' opening game against Algeria, produced another great save to deny AC Milan's Franck Kessie's from the spot.

The Elephants did take lead in the 25th minute when Wilfried Zaha's outstanding pass found Sebastien Haller as the defence back-pedalled and the Ajax man ran on and fired home for his first goal at a Nations Cup finals.

Sierra Leone were never outclassed and got the reward they deserved early in the second half thanks to a magnificent left-footed strike from Musa Noah Kamara which brought them level with 55 minutes on the clock.

The equaliser provided the sting that Ivory Coast needed to up their game and 10 minutes later they were in front again.

Haller unselfishly laid the ball off to Ibrahim Sangare, who in turn fed Nicolas Pepe, and the Arsenal man curled into the bottom corner.

The Elephants wasted several clear-cut chances to wrap up the points, with substitute Hamad Traore particularly wasteful, and Nbalie Kamara pulled off off a couple more outstanding saves.

That always left open the chance that the Ivory Coast could be punished, and so it proved seven minutes into stoppage time when the Leone Stars pushed forward one last time, Sangare made his mistake and Kamara and Sierra Leone profited.

The keeper went off injured after that and the Elephants finished an amazing game with right-back Serge Aurier in goal, and he had work to do as Sierra Leone pushed for a winner.

Sierra Leone's final group game is against Equatorial Guinea in Limbe on Thursday and their confidence will be sky high after another impressive result and performance against another of Africa's heavyweights.

Mega howler that!

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/whagn8" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[Saj]

Algeria in big trouble:

Equatorial Guinea stunned Algeria to leave the defending champions on the brink of a group-stage exit from the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Esteban Obiang slid in at the far post to convert a flick-on and net the only goal with 20 minutes left in Douala.

Algeria have just one point from their opening two games and must beat Ivory Coast in their final Group E game to have a chance of reaching the last 16.

The north Africans had two goals ruled out in what was a scrappy encounter.

The result ended Algeria's unbeaten run at 35 matches, two short of Italy's world record set last year.

Equatorial Guinea reached the Nations Cup semi-finals as hosts in 2015 but, having qualified for the tournament by right for the first time, this will go down as one of their biggest results in their history.

Juan Micha's side move on to three points and are second in Group E, with Ivory Coast top on four points, Sierra Leone third on two points and Algeria bottom on one point.

The tight nature of the group will make Thursday's final round of games fascinating, with the Equatoguineans facing the Leone Stars in Limbe at the same time as Algeria take on Ivory Coast in Douala (16:00 GMT).

 

[Firebat]

Updated tables after Round 2 of group fixtures:

 

[Firebat]

Mega howler that!

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/whagn8" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

Throwing the game away with 20 seconds left! Truly one of the GOAT blunders.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Mega howler that!

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/whagn8" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

Think it's a forgiveable mistake as his knee got wedged in the pitch, much like Simon Jones at Brisbane. The centre-halves had switched off as well and should have been covering for him better.

 

[MenInG]

Gabon coach Patrice Neveu has said Aubameyang is now returning to Arsenal for further checks after having some complications following Covid.

 

[Saj]

Burkina Faso secured second spot in Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-1 draw against Ethiopia.

Cyrille Bayala lobbed keeper Teklemariam Shanko in the 25th minute to give the Stallions the lead.

Ethiopia captain Getaneh Kebede equalised from the penalty spot seven minutes after half-time after Steeve Yago was penalised for handball.

Burkina Faso will face the runners-up from Group C - either Morocco, Gabon or Ghana - in the last 16 on Sunday.

The Burkinabe and Cape Verde both finished on four points in Group A, but the Stallions took second place on head-to-head record.

Cameroon topped the group on seven points after a 1-1 draw with Cape Verde, with Ethiopia bottom on one.

 

[Saj]

Hosts Cameroon cemented top spot in Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-1 draw with Cape Verde.

The Indomitable Lions took the lead when captain Vincent Aboubakar drilled home his fifth goal of the tournament after 39 minutes.

Cape Verde equalised eight minutes after the break as half-time substitute Garry Rodrigues stylishly flicked home.

Aboubakar should have won it midway through the second half only to blaze over the bar with the goal gaping.

Unbeaten in their capital since 1988, the result means Cameroon will remain in stronghold Yaounde for their last-16 tie against a third-placed side from Group C, D or E on Monday, 24 January.

Cape Verde finished third in the group on four points, behind Burkina Faso in the table on head-to-head record, and the Blue Sharks face a wait to see if they will progress as one of four best third-placed sides.

At the last Nations Cup, four points was good enough to reach the last 16, just as it was for teams at both the 2016 and 2020 European Championships.

 

[Saj]

Senegal finished top of Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Malawi.

Habib Diallo and Sadio Mane went close for Senegal, while Malawi had the award of a penalty overturned following a video assistant referee review.

The Flames thought they had a spot-kick in the 74th minute when left-back Gomezgani Chirwa went down under the challenge of Bouna Sarr.

But referee Blaise Yuven Ngwa reversed his decision after studying replays.

Malawi finish third in the table on four points and could yet qualify for the last 16 in Cameroon as one of four best-ranked third-placed sides.

Senegal, Nations Cup runners-up in 2019, only scored one goal in their three group matches - Mane's 97th-minute winner against Zimbabwe in their opener.

The Teranga Lions will face a third-placed side from Group A, C or D in the last 16 on Tuesday, 25 January.

 

[Saj]

Guinea reached the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations despite losing their final Group B match 2-1 against already-eliminated Zimbabwe.

Knowledge Musona's downward header and Kudakwashe Mahachi's low strike put the Warriors two up at half-time.

Guinea captain Naby Keita replied with a stunning goal in Yaounde, in a match which saw referee Salima Mukansanga make history.

The Rwandan became the first woman to referee a Nations Cup game.

Guinea finish second in the group table, ahead of Malawi on head-to-head record after the Flames drew 0-0 with Senegal.

The West Africans will now face the runners-up from Group F on Monday, 24 January but will be without Liverpool midfielder Keita, who will be suspended after picking up his second booking at the tournament.

 

[Saj]

Ghana suffered a humiliating group-stage exit at the Africa Cup of Nations after the four-time champions were beaten 3-2 by debutants Comoros.

El Fardou Ben Nabouhane put the islanders ahead early on, and Ghana then went down to 10 men when Andre Ayew was shown a straight red card.

Ahmed Mogni doubled the lead before the Black Stars fought back to make it 2-2.

However, Mogni tapped in his second in the 85th minute to inflict Ghana's first group-stage exit since 2006.

The result will go down as one of the biggest shocks in Nations Cup history as Comoros netted at the finals for the first time and then went on to record their maiden victory.

Incredibly, the side ranked 132nd in the world now have a chance to reach the knockout stages as one of four best-ranked third-placed sides.

 

[Saj]

Morocco drew 2-2 with Gabon in one of the games of the Africa Cup of Nations so far as both sides progressed from Group C.

The Atlas Lions fell behind in the first half as Gabon's Jim Allevinah slid past the onrushing keeper.

Morocco's equaliser from the penalty spot by Soufiane Bouafal after 74 minutes sparked a thrilling finale.

First, Gabon forced Nayed Argued into scoring an own goal before Achraf Hakimi curled home a free-kick.

 

[Saj]

Egypt edged past Sudan to finish second in Group D and qualify for the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Mohamed Abdelmonem scored the game's only goal, heading home Abdallah El Said's corner for the Pharaohs in the 35th minute.

Sudan offered little with Egypt going close to a second through a Mohamed Salah effort well-saved by keeper Mohamed Mustafa in the second half.

Egypt will face the winners of Group E on Wednesday, 26 January.

They finished three points behind Group D winners Nigeria who beat Guinea-Bissau 2-0.

Sudan, champions in 1970 and playing in their first major tournament since 2012, finished third in the table, collecting one point and scoring just one goal.

 

[Saj]

Defending champions Algeria crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 defeat against Ivory Coast in Douala.

Needing a win to stay alive, Algeria trailed by two goals at the break after Franke Kessie capped off a fine move and Ibrahim Sangare headed home.

Arsenal's Nicolas Pepe put the Ivorians 3-0 up before Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez hit a penalty against the post.

Algeria, for whom Sofiane Bendebka scored a late consolation, exit bottom of Group E after a torrid display.

Djamel Belmadi's men are the third holders to exit at the first hurdle in the past five Nations Cup finals.

 

[Saj]

Equatorial Guinea reached the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations after beating Sierra Leone 1-0 - a result which eliminated the Leone Stars.

Midfielder Pablo Ganet curled in from the edge of the area to net the only goal seven minutes before the break.

Sierra Leone had needed a point to progress, but veteran striker Kei Kamara saw a 84th-minute penalty saved by Jesus Owono.

The Equatoguineans finish second in Group E behind Ivory Coast.

Juan Micha's side will now face the winner of Group F - any one of The Gambia, Mali and Tunisia - on Wednesday, 26 January.

 

[Saj]

Tunisia's penalty curse struck again as defeat by The Gambia left the Carthage Eagles with a daunting last 16 Africa Cup of Nations tie against Nigeria.

Baboucarr Gaye saved Seifeddine Jaziri's penalty as Tunisia missed from the spot for the third successive game.

The Gambia capitalised as Musa Barrow's 25-yard free-kick struck the bar before Ablie Jallow hit an injury-time winner.

The result means Tunisia finish third in Group F while debutants The Gambia, in second, will face Guinea.

 

[Saj]

Mali secured top spot in Group F at the Africa Cup of Nations with a comfortable 2-0 win over Mauritania, who were already out of the tournament.

The opening goal was scored in the second minute by former Newcastle defender Massadio Haidara.

Mali doubled their tally shortly after half-time when Ibrahima Kone smashed in his third penalty in Cameroon after Moussa Doumbia was brought down.

Sarpsborg striker Kone now has 11 goals in nine international matches.

The win means Mali win the group on goal difference and will play Equatorial Guinea in the round of 16, while Mauritania head home as the only team at the tournament without a point.

 

[Saj]

Last 16 fixtures:

Sunday January 23

Burkina Faso vs Gabon - 4pm GMT kick-off time (Limbe Stadium, Limbe)

Nigeria vs Tunisia - 7pm GMT kick-off time (Roumde Adija Stadium, Garoua)

Monday January 24

Guinea vs Gambia - 4pm GMT kick-off time (Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam)

Cameroon vs Comoros - 7pm GMT kick-off time (Olembe Stadium, Yaounde)

Tuesday January 25

Senegal vs Cape Verde - 4pm GMT kick-off time (Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam)

Morocco vs Malawi- 7pm GMT kick-off time (Stade Ahmadoou Ahidjo, Yaounde)

Wednesday January 26

Ivory Coast vs Egypt - 4pm GMT kick-off (Japoma Stadium, Douala)

Mali vs Equatorial Guinea - 7pm GMT kick-off (Limbe Stadium, Limbe)