The day after the draw for the African Cup of Nations 2021 (postponed to 2022), RFI offers a selection of six matches to follow during the group game that begins on Sunday, January 9 in Yaoundé. Lovers of beautiful posters, revenge and surprises: there is something for everyone.
From 9 to 20 January, 2022 will take place in five cities in Cameroon,the group game in the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 (postponed until 2022). The 24 picks that will come will fight to get their ticket to the quarterfinals, either by finishing among the first two in their group of four, or via the top three.
After the draw on Tuesday 17 August, RFI offers you a choice of six matches to organize your competition start, before the knockout matches.
Cameroon-Burkina Faso: the opening match It is the meeting that starts the competition after the opening ceremony which we hope will take place at a well-stocked Olembé Stadium in Yaoundé. At home, the indomitable lions will want to calm their audience after one elimination from the knockout stages of CAN 2019, and not very enthusiastic performances since: four 0-0 in a row in 2020 and a defeat in March last year against Cape Verde that they will find during this group game.
Opposite, Burkina Faso will return to the competition, with great fanfare, after his absence in 2019. During their last CAN, 2017, the stallions had already met Cameroon in a group. (1-1), before exiting third in the competition. The indomitable lions had them lifted the trophy. A scenario that perfectly suits both choices.
Morocco-Ghana: two greats that rarely meet. They have not met in an official match since CAN 2008. At that time, the Black Stars had forced themselves to eliminate the Atlas Lions during the last meeting in the chicken phase. It will not be a chopper game this time, but a first day poster that will set the tone for a tough group that also includes Gabon d’Aubameyang and the Comoros, enthusiastic about their first participation.
Moroccans and Ghanaians, was eliminated in the quarterfinals 2019 on penalties, strive for much better. Atlas Lions coach Vahid Halilhodzic is eagerly awaited. His star player Hakim Ziyech as well.
Note that the two elections met in a friendly match in June last year for a 1-0 victory for Moroccans.
Morocco-Ghana, Monday, January 10 at 16.00 UT, at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé.
Comoros-Gabon: the great first of the coelacanthsThat was the beautiful story of the playoffs: The Comoros, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean that qualified for CAN, for the first time. Gabon will therefore be opposed to a historic event for the Comoros, who must immediately score if they want to exist in this complicated pool. And why not dream of imitating their Malagasy neighbors who have achieved the feat. quarterfinals during their first CAN, 2019.
For the Panthers, this match will mark their return to competition after their absence two years ago. If coach Patrice Neveu believes Gabon “is part of the good teams“In this group, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s teammates must not miss before challenging Ghana and Morocco.
Comoros-Gabon, Monday, January 10 at 19.00 UT, at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé.
Nigeria-Egypt: clash of giants Star match in Garoua: ten CANs will gather at Roumdé Adjia Stadium, just 65 kilometers from the Nigerian border. If the health situation allows it, thousands of Super Eagles fans should be present to take part in one of the most beautiful posters in this first round.
Third year 2019, Nigeria from Gernot Rohr will at least want to do the same, knowing that the Nigerians have always reached the last four in CAN where they have participated since 1984, except once, in 2008 (quarterfinals).
For Egypt in Mohamed Salah, it will be a matter of resolving itself after failure CAN 2019, at home (round of 16).
In the event of a poor performance during this shock on the first day, the two teams will have the opportunity to recover against Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.
Nigeria-Egypt, Tuesday 11 January at 16.00 UT, at Roumdé Adjia Stadium in Garoua.
Tunisia-Mali: reunificationTheir face to face at CAN 2019 during the group stage had not found a winner (1-1) after a clear Tunisian dominance. Tunisia had also qualified for the quarter-finals without winning a match, before reaching the last four. What this young Malian team had failed to do after finishing first in the group.
Since then, the Eagles have grown well and Amadou Haidara remains to secure the midfield. This team has gained experience and in June last year, in a friendship, was able to shake up Algeria, the champion of Africa, at home, then the same Tunisians. Mohamed Magassouba’s men lost 1-0, after securing several chances in Fennec’s ground and playing part of the match at 9 in Tunisia.
Tunisians and Malians will also find Mauritania, as well as 2019, and Gambia, which will participate in the CAN for the first time.
Tunisia-Mali, Wednesday 12 January at 13.00 UT, at Limbé Stadium.
Côte d’Ivoire-Algeria: a revenge that tastes like a final This shock from Group E will end the group stage. It is without a doubt the poster for this first round.
Firstly, because it opposes two long-awaited historic elections: Ivory Coast Nicolas Pépé, Wilfried Zaha, Franck Kessié, against Algerian African champion Riyad Mahrez and Ismaël Bennacer.
There will also be a rematch for the quarterfinals in CAN 2019 won on penalties by the Fennecs, at the end of a breathless meeting.
And then, after meetings against Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea, these two giants will fight for first place in the group or qualification for knockout stages. “We will prepare for a sale very dear our skin“Elephants coach Patrice Beaumelle warned after the draw.
Ivory Coast-Algeria, Thursday 20 January at 16.00 UT, at Japoma Stadium in Douala.
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