Nigeria flopped versus Madagascar but are given another chance to show their true worth against holders Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Eagles qualified for the World Cup ahead of the Indomitable Lions, beating them 4-1 at home, before performing with credit at Russia 2018.
Benin have lost their last three games against Morocco by an aggregate score of 13-2 but look much improved at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. The Squirrels were unbeaten during the pool stage, drawing with perennial powerhouses Ghana and Cameroon, so this is not a team to take lightly.
Senegal were our pre-tournament pick for Africa Cup of Nations glory and are expected to prove too strong for a game, but outgunned Uganda side at the last-16 stage. The Lions of Teranga are seeking to lift this trophy for the first time and have Liverpool star Sadio Mane in good form.
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Ghana have work to do to reach the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage but should get back on track by beating Guinea-Bissau. The Black Stars have made the semi-finals for six straight renewals of this tournament, but started out this time with a couple of draws to put pressure on themselves.
Cameroon have made a convincing start to the defence of their Africa Cup of Nations crown and now only need a draw against Benin to top Group F. The Indomitable Lions roared to a win over Guinea-Bissau before sharing the spoils with Ghana, while the Squirrels have had two stalemates so far.
Tunisia are making hard work of qualifying from Africa Cup of Nations Group E but can get there in the end by edging out Mauritania in the final round of fixtures. The Eagles of Carthage are the second-highest ranked team in the tournament, being 78 places higher than their opponents in the FIFA ratings.
Ivory Coast are still in good shape to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage and should brush aside Namibia without too much fuss. Les Elephants lost to Morocco but had previously edged out South Africa, whereas the Brave Warriors are bottom of the Group D table following two defeats.
South Africa and Morocco would both probably be content with a draw when they meet in the final round of Africa Cup of Nations Group D fixtures. That result would guarantee top spot for the Atlas Lions and almost certainly see Bafana Bafana also advance into the knockout rounds.
Algeria will be keen to maintain their early momentum at the Africa Cup of Nations when taking on Group C basement dwellers Tanzania. The Desert Foxes are sitting pretty at the top of the table following wins over Kenya and Senegal and can now make a statement of intent against the Taifa Stars.
Senegal only need a draw against Kenya to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations knockout rounds but should be good enough to claim victory in Cairo. Both teams have registered a win and a stalemate so far in Group C, but the Lions of Teranga are rated 83 places higher in the FIFA rankings.
Uruguay’s big guns have been firing at the Copa America and that makes them worthy favourites to see off a less-talented Peru outfit in the quarter-finals. Los Incas had their limitations cruelly exposed when thrashed 5-0 by Brazil in the last round of group-stage fixtures and will find it tough to recover.
Spain lost out to Germany in the 2017 European Under-21 Championship final but are fancied to gain revenge in this year’s decider at Friuli. La Rojita powered past France 4-1 in the semis, whereas it felt like Germany made hard work of seeing off an overachieving Romania side 4-2.
Madagascar have exceeded all expectations at the Africa Cup of Nations, but could get a reality check when facing Group B table toppers Nigeria in Alexandria. The Super Eagles have already posted two straight victories in this pool and are rated a vastly superior side, being 63 spots further up the FIFA rankings.