Morocco vs South Africa
Related article: Morocco vs South Africa betting tips: AFCON qualifier preview
KALININGRAD, RUSSIA – JUNE 25, 2018: Moroccos Achraf Hakimi in their 2018 FIFA World Cup Group B Round 3 match against Spain at Kaliningrad Stadium; the teams drew 2-2. Denis Tyrin/TASS (Photo by Denis TyrinTASS via Getty Images)
It’s been a mixed 2022 so far for Morocco, so will they start this latest campaign with a victory?
Back in January, Vahid Halilhodžić’s side went to AFCON with dreams of lifting the trophy, but exited in the quarter-finals against rivals Egypt.
However, the blow was softened quite a lot in March as the Atlas Lions qualified for the World Cup, hammering DR Congo 5-2 in their play-off.
So, in November, they’ll take on Croatia, Belgium and Canada in Qatar, looking to reach the knockout stages for the first time since Mexico ’86.
Already this month, Morocco have warmed up for these two qualifies by taking on the United States in Cincinnati, easily beaten 3-0 out there.
So now, the serious games return for the Atlas Lions, looking to get three points on the board.
South Africa meanwhile actually failed to qualify for the most recent edition of AFCON, losing a winner takes all game against Sudan in March 2021.
Bafana Bafana reached the quarter-finals three summers ago, ousting hosts Egypt, but have failed to qualify for four of the last seven editions.
In this three-team group, all Hugo Broos’ side have to do is finish above Liberia, a team who haven’t qualified since 2002.
In this opener, Morocco should have far too much quality at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Nigeria vs Sierra Leone
Related article: Nigeria vs Sierra Leone betting tips: AFCON qualifier preview
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 02: Alex Iwobi of Nigeria during the International Friendly match between England and Nigeria at Wembley Stadium on June 2, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Nigeria’s busy four-game international window continues, with the serious stuff starting here in Abuja.
In the last week or so, the Super Eagles have played a pair of friendlies State-side, losing both, against Mexico in Arlington and Ecuador in New Jersey.
Now, the three-times Africa Cup of Nations winners kick off their latest qualification campaign, fully expected to top this section.
José Peseiro is the new man in charge, following Nigeria’s World Cup play-off round defeat, so will he win his first competitive game at the helm?
Sierra Leone meanwhile featured at an AFCON for the first time since 1996 earlier this year, holding both Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire to draws.
If the Leone starts are to qualify back-to-back, they just need to finish above Guinea-Bissau and São Tomé and Príncipe in Group A.
Their head-to-head meetings with Guinea-Bissau, the first of which is on Monday, will be decisive in determining who takes second.
Here, the home crowd should be celebrating a victory at Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
Ethiopia vs Egypt
Related article: Ethiopia vs Egypt betting tips: AFCON qualifier preview
Mohamed Salah (captain) of Egypt celebrating after the victory during Morocco against Egypt, African Cup of Nations, at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on January 30, 2022. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
After a hard-fought victory on matchday one, will Egypt have it all their own way in this one?
On Sunday, the record-winners of this trophy needed an 87th minute goal from Mostafa Mohamed to beat Guinea at Cairo International Stadium.
Nevertheless, the Pharaohs did begin the campaign with three points, looking to qualify for a 26th edition of Africa Cup of Nations.
Egypt have endured plenty of misery in recent years, losing in the finals of 2017 and 2021, going out in the round of 16 on home soil in-between.
Then, earlier this year, they missed out on World Cup qualification following a penalty shootout defeat to Senegal in Dakar.
So now, under Ehab Galal, they’re rebuilding, hoping to heal their wounds by lifting their eighth AFCON trophy next summer.
Ethiopia meanwhile have qualified for just two AFCONs in the last four decades, but one of those was earlier this year, going out in the group phase.
However, the Walia Ibex’s hopes of back-to-back qualifications suffered a blow on matchday one, losing 2-1 to Malawi in Lilongwe.
Thus, Egypt should swat aside Ethiopia at Bingu National Stadium.
Burundi vs Cameroon
Related article: Burundi vs Cameroon betting tips: AFCON qualifier preview
Vincent Aboubakar celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 round of 16 football match between Cameroon and Comoros at Stade d’Olembe in Yaounde on January 24, 2022. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP) (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)
After the disappointment of earlier this year, Cameroon kick off another Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign.
Back in January/February, Cameroon hosted the tournament for the first time since 1972, very much expected to lift the trophy for the sixth time.
However, it wasn’t meant to be a les Lions Indomptables crashed out in the semi-finals, falling to Egypt in a penalty shootout.
To cushion the blow, the following month, Cameroon qualified for the World Cup, ousting Algeria on away goals, scoring in the 124th minute.
So, later this year, they’ll face Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland in Qatar, with just three AFCON qualifiers in the diary before then.
Led by national team legend Rigobert Song, will Cameroon get three points on the board in Dar es Salaam?
Burundi meanwhile played their first game of this three-team group on Saturday, taking on Namibia in Johannesburg.
They looked set for an opening day defeat, until Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana’s last-gasp equaliser ensured they took a share of the spoils.
The Swallows actually made their Africa Cup of Nations debut in 2019 and all they have to do to qualify against is finish above Namibia.
Those two meet again in March 2023, while anything either get against Cameroon will very much be seen as a bonus.
The five-times African Champions should be far too strong at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Lesotho vs Côte d’Ivoire
Related article: Lesotho vs Côte d’Ivoire betting tips: AFCON qualifier preview
TOPSHOT – Ibrahim Sangaré celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Group E Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Ivory Coast and Algeria at Stade de Japoma in Douala on January 20, 2022. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
Given that they’re hosting next summer’s tournament, Côte d’Ivoire have already qualified, but are using these matches as preperation.
On matchday one, les Éléphants outclassed Zambia in Yamoussoukro; Serge Aurier, Christian Kouamé and Ibrahim Sangaré on target in a 3-1 win.
Ivory Coast were African Champions as recently as 2015, having previously lost in the finals of 2006 and 2012.
Since then though, they’ve gone no further than the quarter-finals, also failing to qualify for back-to-back World Cups.
So, next summer, Jean-Louis Gasset’s team will be under massive pressure to reignite national pride and lift the trophy on home soil.
In the context of this group, Lesotho are the rank-outsiders, having never qualified for an Africa Cup of Nations before.
The Crocodiles came through the preliminary round just to get this far, seeing off Seychelles 3-1 over two legs.
However, they’ve now only won 13 of 80 qualification matches, following Friday’s 2-0 defeat to Comoros in Moroni.
So, despite having nothing tangible to play for, Ivory Coast should be far too strong at haha.
South Sudan vs Mali
24 June 2019, Egypt, Suez: Adama Traoré (R) celebrates scoring his side’s fourth with teammate Moussa Doumbia during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group E soccer match between Mali and Mauritania at the Suez Sports Stadium. Photo: Oliver Weiken/dpa (Photo by Oliver Weiken/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Will Mali make it two wins out of two to start Africa Cup of Nations qualifying?
On Saturday, the Eagles hammered Congo 4-0 in Bamako with Mohamed Camara, El Bilal Touré and Kalifa Coulibaly all on target.
Mali have reached the round of 16 at both of the last two Africa Cup of Nations, successfully qualifying for ten of the last 11 editions of the tournament.
Once again, Éric Chelle’s team are big favourites to top their section, looking to maintain their 100% start in Entebbe.
South Sudan meanwhile were competitive on matchday one but were eventually beaten 1-0 by The Gambia.
Just to get this far in qualifying, the Bright Stars had to come through the preliminary round, swatting aside Djibouti 5-2 on aggregate.
They’ve never qualifed for a major international tournament before, and that isn’t likely to change next summer.
Mali should win handsomely at St. Mary’s Stadium-Kitende.
Guinea vs Malawi
Naby Keïta celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Group B Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Zimbabwe and Guinea at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde on January 18, 2022. (Photo by Kenzo Tribouillard / AFP) (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)
Will Guinea get their first three points on the board of this Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign?
On Sunday, they came so close to a precious point, but conceded three minutes from time against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium.
Nevertheless, with the top two in each section qualifying, there’s no need for the National Elephants to panic.
Guinea have reached the last 16 at each of the last two AFCONs, qualifying for seven of the last ten editions of the competition.
With Egypt highly likely to top the group, Kaba Diawara’s team know their fate will be determined in their other four fixtures, starting here.
Malawi meanwhile currently sit top of Group D after a pair of Gabadinho Mhango penalties downed Ethiopia at the weekend.
The Flames have only qualified for three AFCONs to date, 1984, 2010 and 2021, reaching the round of 16 earlier this year.
In short, this is a crucial game for both, so will there be a winner at General Lansana Conté Stadium?
Guinea-Bissau vs São Tomé and Príncipe
(Top L to R) Guinea-Bissau pose for a group picture during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group F football match between Guinea-Bissau and Ghana at the Suez Stadium in the north-eastern Egyptian city on July 2, 2019. (Photo by fadel senna / AFP) (Photo credit should read FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Will this be the start of another successful qualification campaign for Guinea-Bissau?
The Djurtus made their Africa Cup of Nations debut as recently in 2017, but have now qualified for three successive editions, yet to win a game at the finals.
In qualifying though, Baciro Candé’s side are pretty formidable and are favourites to clinch a top two spot in this cycle too.
São Tomé and Príncipe meanwhile are competing in this game, despite initially being eliminated in the preliminary round.
The Falcons and True Parrots Team beat Mauritius 4-3 on aggregate back in March, but were then thrown out of the competition.
That’s because, allegedly, striker Luís Leal broke Covid-19 rules but, after appear, Seleção dos Falcões e Papagaios are back in.
So, São Tomé and Príncipe a still in with a chance of qualifying for their first-ever AFCON, winning just six of 32 qualifiers to date.
The minnows are delighted to be here but Guinea-Bissau should be too strong at Stade de Marrakech.
