The CAF Africa Cup of Nations kicks off this afternoon, 13 January
2024, between hosts, Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau.
A
number of exciting fixtures are set to keep fans of the African game glued to
the action over the next few weeks. Let's take a look at the top 10
fixtures of the group stages.
Senegal
– Gambia: 15 January, 14h00 GMT
On
paper, the fixture seems unbalanced, but this is without knowing the rivalry
between two border countries which are similar in several points. A David
against Goliath that will be worth the detour.
Cote
d’Ivoire – Nigeria: 18 January 17h00 GMT
A
match of former African champions with five titles between them. Hosts Cote
d’Ivoire have lifted the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON title twice while the Super
Eagles have one so three times, setting up what promises to be an action packed
encounter.
Egypt
– Ghana: 18 January, 20h00 GMT
The
meetings between these two nations has always been electric. A total
of 11 TotalEnergies AFCON titles between them, with both sides looking at
adding to their collection.
Senegal
– Cameroon: 19 January, 17h00 GMT
The
battle of the African lions is definitely one of the marquee fixtures. The
Lions of Teranga against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will certainly be
one to look out for.
Algeria
– Burkina: 20 January, 14h00 GMT
The
last confrontations between these two teams has been full of suspense. They
meet again on the 20thhoping to get a confidence boosting win at the
start.
Tunisia
– Mali: 20 January, 20h00 GMT
Two
teams that never quit. From the World Cup qualifiers to the TotalEnergies CAF
AFCON, there is always a confrontation between Aigles de Carthage and Aigles
that keeps you in suspense.
Morocco
– DR Congo: 21 January, 14h00 GMT
The
Atlas Lions face a tricky opponent in DR Congo. While Morocco may be deemed as
favourites, both sides have what it takes to clinch what should be an evenly
balanced tie.
South
Africa – Namibia: 21 January, 20h00 GMT
A
southern derby that is fast growing into a fierce one. Bafana Bafana, winners
of the 1996 edition welcome a highly motivated side led by the youngest coach
of the tournament in Collin Benjamin (45)
Guinea
– Senegal: 23 January, 17h00 GMT
An
exciting duel of a West African derby guaranteed to entertain. Guinea will be
hoping to cause an upset against the reigning champions while the Lions of
Teranga look to defend their title.
Tanzania
– DR Congo, 24 January 20h00 GMT
With
football in full expansion, the Tanzanian championship is full of several
Congolese players who make it rain or shine. A derby also for supremacy.
Tanzanian football has been on the rise over the last few years, with a number of Congolese players plying their trade in the East African nation.
The two
nations clash on 24 January in what should be an interesting tie.
