Five-time champions Cameroon shall be amongst 16 groups chasing 9 finals locations within the final spherical of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying throughout September.
While solely Egypt, with a document seven titles, have been extra profitable within the continental showpiece, Cameroon should win at dwelling towards Burundi to make certain of qualifying.
A draw would depart Cameroon, Burundi and Namibia degree on points and aim distinction in Group C and tie-breakers would come into play to resolve which two international locations go to the Ivory Coast.
Cameroon had a bye this month as Kenya were disqualified by FIFA earlier than the primary matchday final June attributable to authorities interference within the sport.
AFP highlights 5 talking points after the newest matchday, with 22 qualifiers delivering 52 objectives and the quantity of qualifiers rising from seven to fifteen.
– Osimhen sparkles –
Napoli star Victor Osimhen is the main scorer in qualifying with seven objectives, and there’s the prospect of extra to come back from him when Nigeria host Sao Tome e Principe within the closing spherical.
The main scorer within the Serie A season with 26 objectives as Napoli ended a three-decade title drought netted 4 occasions in a 10-0 away overcome Sao Tome final June.
Sao Tome are ranked 184 on the earth and have the worst defensive document in 2023 qualifying, conceding 20 objectives.
– ‘Homeless’ battle –
Playing dwelling matches on international soil was not a rewarding expertise for the 11 international locations that had to take action in matchday 5 attributable to sub-standard stadiums or civil warfare.
Only Burundi, who would not have an international-quality venue and performed in Tanzania, received, Ethiopia drew in Mozambique, and the opposite 9 groups have been overwhelmed.
Explaining why stadiums are banned, senior Confederation of African Football official Lux September mentioned “pitches, dressing rooms and spectator facilities are among areas looked at”.
– Guinea-Bissau reworked –
Guinea-Bissau, for many years one of the weakest groups within the continent, have booked a fourth consecutive look on the biennial African soccer showcase.
After an unsuccessful first spell in cost of the ‘Wild Dogs’, native Baciro Cande returned as head coach in 2016 and reworked a aspect missing any stars into constant qualifiers.
The greatest identified Guinea-Bissau footballer of the fashionable period is 20-year-old Barcelona ahead Ansu Fati, however he selected to signify Spain after gaining citizenship.
– Beasts’ tall order –
The Central African Republic might qualify for the primary time regardless of a 2-1 loss to Angola after having goalkeeper Dominique Youfeigane despatched off halfway by way of the second half.
But the ‘Wild Beasts’ should win their final-round match in Ghana to achieve the finals — a tall order given the star-laden ‘Black Stars’ boast a 100% dwelling document in 2023 qualifying.
Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Lesotho, Sao Tome, Seychelles, Somalia and South Sudan are the opposite nations which have by no means performed on the Cup of Nations.
– Perfect Algeria –
Two-time champions Algeria are the one workforce boasting 5 victories heading into matchday six, and with a house match towards Tanzania to come back they’re set to take care of an ideal document.
The Desert Foxes are looking for a second title in three Cup of Nations after edging Senegal 1-0 within the 2019 closing in Cairo, earlier than bowing out after the primary spherical within the following version.
Senegal have the second most spectacular document with 4 wins and a draw and Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Nigeria and Zambia have all received 4 matches and misplaced one.
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