Ivory Coast is set to square it out with defending Champions Algeria as Sierra Leone takes on Equatorial Guinea in the last matches in Group E. Later, Gambia will take on Tunisia as Mali come up against Mauritania in Group F.3.45 Ivory Coast 3.10 Algeria 2.40The clash pitting the 2015 champions Ivory Coast and 2019 champions Algeria at Japoma Stadium is set to attract more attention as the latter are staring an early exit in the competition if they produce anything other than a win in this game.The Ivorians will definitely be on a revenge mission as Algeria ousted them from the last edition in Egypt, beating them on post-match penalties in the quarterfinals.Despite the bizarre goalkeeping incident that saw Sierra Leone equalize deep in stoppage time against Ivory Coast, the Elephants coach Patrice Beaumelle is having faith in his goalkeeper if he is passed fit to feature in the game and is out to get the three points against Algeria.“Even if our four points can qualify us, we are not here to make calculations. We are going to play to win. Our match against Algeria is a final like the one between Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea, but we prefer to focus on our match. We are counting on our goalkeeper Badra Ali. If he is fit, we will trust him because he has already done great things for us,” Beaumelle said.#AFCON2021 Fixtures today Sierra Leone vs Equatorial Giunea – 7PM EAT Ivory Coast vs Algeria – 7PM EAT Gambia vs Tunisia – 10PM EAT Mali vs Mauritania – 10PM EAT Your predictions? pic.twitter.com/TWmRA7Y9EK— Jeff Kinyanjui (@Nyash88) January 20, 2022 For the do-or-die match, coach Djamel Belmadi has christened it an early final for Algeria and knows that they have no other choice but to win so as to remain in the competition.“This match could be an early final. On Thursday against Cote d’Ivoire, we have no choice. We must win to continue the competition. And we’re going to put all the ingredients for that. Algeria just lacked efficiency during this tournament. About the pressure, we have had it since taking office in 2018. All our matches have been played with pressure, but we have to positively feel this feeling,” Belmadi said.3.30 Sierra Leone 2.75 Equatorial Guinea 2.55Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea are eyeing a historic appearance in the second round, with the Leone Stars hoping for a maiden appearance in the second round as Nzalang Nacional have one foot in their third stint in as many appearances but they will need to win at Limbe Stadium to be on the safest side.Leone Stars held defending champions Algeria to a goalless draw and went on to put up a similar performance as they came back from behind twice to force Ivory Coast to another 2-2 draw.🔴 Programme de la journée de la #CAN2021 :▪️ Groupe E17h : Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮-🇩🇿 Algérie 📍 Japoma17h : Sierra Leone 🇸🇱-🇬🇶 Guinée Équatoriale 📍 Limbe▪️ Groupe F20h : Gambie 🇬🇲-🇹🇳 Tunisie 📍 Limbe 20h : Mali 🇲🇱-🇲🇷 Mauritanie📍 Japoma pic.twitter.com/zezlwqyQQI— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) January 20, 2022 Coach John Keister is adamant that Sierra Leone’s objective remains going past the group stage.”This is a tight group. Our objective is to go through. The team spirit drives our team, we want to qualify. We adapt our strategy to the players we have, to play in an uninhibited way while respecting the opponent, a big team like Equatorial Guinea,” the tactician told CAFonline.A draw could see Equatorial Guinea waiting for a possible qualification as one of the best losers but a win will definitely send them to the next round.Nzalang Nacional’s tactician Juan Micha Obiang says they will not let the win over Algeria distract them, saying that they will give their all in this match.”We defeated Algeria, the best national team in Africa, but we will stay on earth. We will play against Sierra Leone, a brave team, and we will put all the chances on our side. What happens on the field is what counts. Our strength is the collective spirit. Each match has its story. We will fight with our means, a system of play, and ambition,” he said.
1.38 Mali 4.60 Mauritania 12.0Western neighbors Mali and Mauritania face off in Douala, as Group F curtains draw.Mali are joint top with Gambia on four points, one more than Tunisia while Mauritania trails the group pointless.With four points in hand, The Eagles are on the verge of the second round already. But Mali will play to confirm qualification, and also compete for the group’s top spot.After suffering back-to-back defeats in both their group matches Mourabitones are heading out whatever the result they get on Thursday but they will want to exit with their heads high and are out to play and prove a point.#AFCON2021FIXTURESThursday, January 20 Ivory Coast 🇨🇮 vs Algeria 🇩🇿, 6pmSierra Leone 🇸🇱 vs Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶, 6pmGambia 🇬🇲 vs Tunisia 🇹🇳, 9pmMali 🇲🇱 vs Mauritania 🇲🇷, 9pm Rankings going into final day of group phase with 6 last 16 slots up for grabs : 👇🏽👇🏽@City_Press pic.twitter.com/2VW1xGbklp— Tromps Mothowagae دانيال (@DanieMothowagae) January 20, 2022 While Mauritania’s coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa is disappointed at losing the two games, he maintains that their objective is to achieve a positive result in this game.“We are disappointed to have lost our two games, especially against Gambia. We deserved a draw at least. Mali is a great team which is one of the favorites. Our objective is to go from the front door, achieve a positive result. We are part of the Mauritania project, and we want to leave a nice impression about ourselves,” the French said.Mali’s captain Hamari Traoré says they are out to write their own history and they do so by ensuring they win this game to secure an automatic spot.“We are not here to make calculations. The objective is to win and go through. We want to progress in this competition and write our own history, and it starts in the group stage. At the AFCON, all teams are difficult to play,” the defender said.3.80 Gambia 3.05 Tunisia 2.30A ticket for the Round of 16 is at stake for both Gambia and Tunisia when they lock horns in Limbe Stadium in the other match of the day even as Tunisia miss 12 players due to covid.Gambia Scorpions have four points, joint top with Mali, and one more than Tunisia who lie third. Mauritania trails the group pointless.With four points from a 1-0 over Mauritania and a late 1-1 draw with Mali, The Scorpions look on the verge of the next round. A point against Tunisia would guarantee that, while even a defeat could see them waiting for a place among the best four sides in third place.12 Tunisia players have COVID. The Tunisia national team will play Gambia on Thursday in AFCON.— Adetiba Stephen (@AdetibaStephen) January 19, 2022 Gambia could also miss some players for the same reason but Tom Saintfiet is of the opinion that his side must make the qualification, citing players who can adapt to whatever system the team employs as their biggest strength.”We must make sure of our qualification. We will play to get a positive result. Tunisia may miss some players because of COVID but remains a great football nation with many talented players. We are here to represent our country and we will do everything to honor it. For each match, we look at the best strategy to have a good result. We have talented players, who can adapt to the system. This is our strength,” Saintfiet said.His counterpart Mondher Kebaier admits that things are getting completed for his camp but he will play his role of finding solutions for his side.”We have 12 players absent due to COVID; things are getting complicated. My role is to find solutions in these difficult situations. I have confidence in the group, and we will do everything to win the match. We want a reassuring and collective result. We are going to play to build on our strengths, regardless of the opponent,” Kebaier said.