The African Cup of Nations enters its fourth day on Tuesday evening, featuring four matches in a tournament that has proven to be highly unpredictable.The matches are deviating from the expected script, with giants being held and teams like Ghana falling, as evidenced by their 2-1 loss to Cape Verde on Sunday. Excitement is on the rise, showcasing not only good football but also some spectacular goals.##NAJAVA_MECA_7796288##Burkina Faso vs MauritaniaThursday’s Group D clash between Burkina Faso and Mauritania marks the first encounter between the two teams in the continental showpiece. The match will be played at the Stade de Bouake in Bouake.Burkina Faso, making their 13th appearance in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, has a history of being eliminated in the group stages (8 times) or reaching at least the semi-finals (4 times), including a final appearance in 2013. However, they have never won an opening game at the AFCON.Mauritania, in their third appearance at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations since 2019, has consistently finished at the bottom of their group in their previous two participations, never securing a victory at the tournament.Their only goal in the Africa Cup of Nations was a penalty by Hacen against Mali in their debut AFCON match in 2019. Since then, Mauritania hasn’t found the net in 468 minutes of play at the tournament.AFCON 2023: “Unwanted” Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana snubbed by Cameroon coachTunisia vs NamibiaThe first Group E game will feature 2004 winners Tunisia against Namibia at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium. This encounter marks the first AFCON meeting between the two sides.Tunisia has secured victories in the last three matches against Namibia and aims to make it four in a row on Tuesday evening.The Carthage Eagles, with a consistent presence in the quarterfinals of the last four AFCON editions, are eager to surpass their previous performances.On the other hand, Namibia’s Brave Warriors are unbeaten in four of their last five matches across all competitions, with one win in that time. Despite their competitive edge, they have exited the AFCON at the group stage in all three editions they have participated in.AFCON 2023: Ten-man Guinea holds CameroonMali vs South AfricaThe second Group E game features Mali against 1996 winners South Africa at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo. Mali is set to make its 13th appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations, including a ninth consecutive one since missing out in 2006.During the qualifying phase, only Nigeria scored more goals than Les Aigles (15), showcasing their offensive prowess.Heading into Monday’s group opener, Mali remains unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions, claiming six wins and one draw since June 2023.South Africa, making their 11th AFCON appearance, returns after missing the last edition in Cameroon. However, Bafana Bafana enters Monday’s group opener with just one win in their last five matches across all competitions, including a goalless draw against Lesotho in their final warm-up fixture last Wednesday. The last meeting between the two sides in 2019 ended with a 2-1 victory for South Africa.AFCON 2023- GROUP STAGESaturdayIvory Coast – Guinea B. 2-0 (1-0)/Fofana 4, Krasso 58/SundayNigeria – Equatorial Guinea 1-1 (1-1)/Osimhen 38 – Salvador 36/Egypt – Mozambique 2-2 (1-0)/Mohamed 2, Salah 90+7 pen – Witi 55, Bauque 58/Ghana – Cape Verde 1-2 (0-1)/Djiku 56 – Monteiro 17, Rodrigues 90+2/MondaySenegal 3-0 Gambia (1-0)/Gueye 4, Camara 52, 86/Cameroon 1-1 Guinea (0-1)/Magri 51-Bayo 10/Algeria – Angola 1-1 (1-0)/Boundedjah 18 – Mabululu (p) 68/Tuesday17.00: (1.75) Burkina Faso (3.60) Mauritania (5.70)20.00: (1.40) Tunisia (4.60) Namibia (10.5)23.00: (2.15) Mali (3.25) S.Africa (3.90)Wednesday20.00: (1.30) Morocco (5.80) Tanzania (12.0)23.00: (2.40) Dr Congo (3.20) Zambia (3.40)***odds are subject to change***
