Host nation and five-time African champions Cameroon will be seeking to continue with their quest for a title on home soil when the quarterfinal games of the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 kick off on Saturday 29 January 2022.In one of the two fixtures of the day, The Indomitable Lions will be hoping to avoid any upsets by dark horses and tournament debutants The Gambia whom they face at the Japoma Stadium in Douala.The other clash will see the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia clash with Burkina Faso at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua. Ahead of the two games, here is a preview of what to expect.The #AFCON2021 quarterfinals are set ✨ pic.twitter.com/FNeSSPKGfN— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 26, 2022 Cameroon vs The GambiaOn paper, Cameroon may look like the favourites heading into this first quarter final match. On the pitch though, that may not be the case, at least going by the form their opponents have shown at their maiden appearance in the continental tournament.Having been pooled in Group F, The Gambia outstandingly finished joint top of the group following wins over Mauritania, Tunisia and a draw with Mali who led with a superior goal difference. Afterwards, the team dispatched Guinea in the round of 16 to book their place in the last 8.While The Scorpions are bidding to become the first debutants to reach the semi-finals of the AFCON since South Africa in 1996 (who went on to win the competition), they face a different ball game in Cameroon who do not have any room for disappointment.Son of a Ghanaian postman is the man who will deliver hope to Black StarsLed by Belgian Tom Saintfiet, the team will however be hoping that since they have nothing to lose, they might just pull the rabbit out of the hat in their first AFCON clash with the hosts.“Cameroon, one of the greatest nations in African and even world football, is the big favorite. I give my team a 20 percent chance. But we are used to it and since I took office, it has always been the case. We had to fight against stronger teams than us and we managed to get by. Against Cameroon, we will not be afraid, we will play to the fullest. It’s a bonus match. We visited Limbé, Bafoussam and now Douala, and we want to continue to Yaoundé,” their head coach said ahead of the game.The Gambia will look once more to the lethal striking force of Ablie Jallow and Moussa Barrow who have each netted twice so far.8.00 Gambia 3.60 Cameroon 1.61For Cameroon, the pressure will be in meeting fan expectations and getting the job done. A combination that could go both ways in spurring them to the next round or in making them crumble under pressure.However, head coach Antonio Conceiçao, who has stated that the target for the Indomitable Lions is solely on getting a sixth title, remains steadfast in his team’s abilities and has backed his side to navigate the tricky challenge at hand.“We have managed a positive course, a satisfactory record so far. Against Gambia, the objective is to win. We are a playful team that likes to take the game on its own. Against us is a team that defends well and has 5-6 high quality attacking players but everything is possible if we only consider victory,” he said.Fans welcome #TeamCameroon at their hotel as they arrive in Douala ahead of their quarter-finals match against #TeamGambia on Saturday. 🎥 @Griffe2Foot pic.twitter.com/rrdJqCOQig— Mimi Fawaz (@MimosaFawaz) January 27, 2022 Cameroon will bank on the red hot form of team and tournament top scorer Vincent Aboubakar who has six goals and Karl Toko Ekambi who has three to overcome the challenge.The game kicks off at 1900EAT.Burkina Faso vs TunisiaIn Garoua, 2004 champions Tunisia will take on Burkina Faso at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in the hope that they can edge closer to a second title in their history.In what will be the third AFCON meeting between the two sides, the Tunisians will be seeking to overturn their poor form against the Stallions who have won the previous two clashes which were both quarterfinal encounters, at home in 1998 and Gabon 2017.Positive Vibes 😃 #TeamTunisia pic.twitter.com/JkbA4hYYxm— Tykra🇹🇳 (@TykraTF) January 23, 2022 Having sent the Super Eagles of Nigeria packing from the tournament, the North Africans will be hoping to ride on that stunning result to outmuscle Burkina Faso who stand in the way of them progressing to the semis for a second time in a row.“Our weapon and source of strength has always been our collective and victorious spirit. We are happy with what we did against Nigeria, and we will continue to do the same against Burkina Faso. Against Nigeria we showed our ability to win. We appreciate Burkina Faso very much because they are a very good team. We are in full focus. In football, we do not underestimate anyone, but we will show the world what we have,” the experienced Wabhi Khazri remarked.3.50 Burkina Faso 3.00 Tunisia 2.45On the other hand, having edged Gabon on post-match penalties to book their place in the quarters, Burkina Faso will be seeking to replicate their 2017 heroics where they finished third in the tournament.“The next match is qualifying for the semifinals, so it is very difficult. We have determination to continue the journey and feel the responsibility. Our players are young and have the enthusiasm to win and continue their way. Tunisia is a good and cohesive team, but our side is armed with spirit and determination. The game will not be played on paper, but on the field. We don’t think about the past, but the present is always more important. We have a young ambitious team, and we can write our present and future,” head coach Kamou Malo noted.AFCON 2021: He was a bench-warmer for over a decade, but now he’s a national heroThe match kicks off at 2200EAT.
