In light of Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations group-stage draw in Cairo, ESPN pick out five mouth-watering games to look forward in the first round.
The expanded 24-team format has meant more inclusion for the continent’s lesser lights, while the traditional heavyweights have been spread around the groups.
However, there’s absolutely no shortage of intrigue in the first round following a compelling first-round draw.
Tanzania vs. Kenya, June 27, 30 June Stadium, Cairo
East African derbies are…
The six groups for the expanded Africa Cup of Nations were drawn in a glamorous ceremony in the shadow of the Pyramids of Giza, just outside Cairo, on Friday, as the 24 teams learned their first-round opponents.
With the group stage mapped out, what should fans expect from the opening round of fixtures, where are the potential upsets, and who are the players to watch in African football’s biennial showpiece?
Group A
Teams: Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Overview:
Egypt had…
Zambia’s impressive displays in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers generated genuine hope that the good times would soon be back for the 2012 African champions, and the arrival of Sven Vandenbroeck was expected to further accelerate the team’s revival.
As the Southern Africans survey the wreckage in the aftermath of yet another crushing exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, however, it is not easy to escape the conclusion that Vandenbroeck’s appointment in July actually precipitated Zambia’s stunning…
Mozambique
Zambia
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2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions Zambia were defeated 1-0 in Mozambique on Sunday as their hopes of reaching next year’s tournament in Cameroon were extinguished.
After five matches, Chipolopolo sit bottom of Group K on four points, four behind Guinea-Bissau and Namibia in first and second, and three off Mozambique.
The top two played out a 0-0 draw in Windhoek on Saturday.
Reginaldo scored the only goal of the game – in the 63rd minute – as Mozambique secured a major victory to keep their qualifying…
Hosts Zambia have been drawn in a tough Group A at the 2018 COSAFA Under-20 Championships to be staged in Kitwe from December 2-14 as they seek to regain the trophy they last won two years ago.
Zambia have been drawn alongside Malawi, Mozambique…
KweséESPN takes a look at the biggest winners and losers after the first four match days of Africa Cup of Nations 2019 qualifying.
WINNERS
First Qualifiers
There can be no bigger winner than Madagascar, who became the first country to …
Guinea-Bissau
Zambia
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Guinea-Bissau came from behind to defeat Zambia 2-1 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Bissau on Sunday.
The loss leaves Sven Vandenbroeck’s side facing an uphill struggle to reach next year’s finals in Cameroon.
After four matches, they’re bottom of Group K on four points, level with Mozambique and Namibia, who meet in Windhoek on Tuesday.
Guinea-Bissau, who qualified for the AFCON for the first time in 2017, currently top the pool on seven points and could seal qualification away in Namibia…
When Sven Vandenbroeck was appointed Zambia coach in July, he must have been quietly confident that it was an ideal time to be taking over the Chipolopolo.
Admittedly, they lost their opening Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mozambique in…
Zambia
Guinea-Bissau
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1
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Barbara Banda starred for Zambia in their Cosafa Cup Group C encounter against Mozambique in a one-sided match in South Africa.