The race to qualify for the biggest football event on the continent, the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, officially resumes this month with spectacular matches. African nations are preparing to give their best to earn a place in the continental competition which will take place in Ivory Coast next year.
A total of 44 nations will be in action during the week of March 22-28. Some will try to increase their lead, while others will seek to regain ground in the race to qualify.
(Full schedule here)
On matchday three, three-time African champions Nigeria host Guinea-Bissau at the Abiola Stadium in Abuja, where they will try to consolidate their lead at the top of Group A, after their victories over Sao Tome and -Principle and Sierra Leone.
Les Etalons du Burkina Faso, who currently sit first in Group B, will host a battered Togolese side, looking for their first victory in these qualifiers after losing to Cape Verde, followed by a points tie with Eswatini .
Still in Group B, Cape Verde continues its steady progression in African football. Les Requins Bleus welcome a team from Eswatini who, too, are gradually becoming a threat on the continent.
Cameroon, five times champion of Africa, faces Namibia in group C. In a group now at three, due to Kenya’s withdrawal, Burundi will be at rest.
Egypt, who are in a precarious position at the bottom of Group D due to goal difference, host Malawi at the Cairo International Stadium, while Guinea host a confident Ethiopia in a game to be played at the Complex. Mohammed V of Casablanca, Morocco.
In Group E, Ghana will host Angola, who are level on points with the Black Stars and will be looking to create an upset at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
The brand new Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers, capital of Algeria, will host Group F second-placed Niger in what promises to be an exciting encounter. Uganda Cranes will try to get out of the danger zone by hosting Tanzania in a match to be played at the Egyptian Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.
In Group J, a North African battle looms. Tunisia, leader of the group, goes to Libya for a meeting which promises to be difficult between the two teams at the Martyrs stadium in Benina.
In Group K, Liberia take on South Africa in a must-win game for the two teams that lost to group leaders Morocco. Both teams are aware that a victory gives them a strong chance of finishing second in the group, which secures them a ticket to Ivory Coast.
To conclude this qualifying round, Senegal, the defending African champions, will try to maintain their record of victories in Group L by facing Mozambique at the Me Abdoulaye Wade stadium in Diamniadio in Dakar.
The fourth day of the playoffs will take place in stride.
CAF – Communication Department