The third day of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers kicks off this Wednesday, with five matches scheduled that could prove decisive in several groups. Among the most highly anticipated fixtures is the clash between Zambia and Congo in Group E, where both teams enter the match level on points after two games. The Red Devils travel to Ndola to face the Chipolopolo, with both sides vying for sole control of the group. For Congo, this match will also mark the debut of Pierre Lechantre as head coach in an official competition, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the encounter.
Also in Group E, Kenya travels to Guinea-Bissau. Both teams have just one point each, making this match crucial for their hopes of staying in contention. The stakes are high, and both sides will aim to secure a much-needed victory to improve their chances of advancing to the next round.
In Group C, Benin looks to climb the standings as they travel to face South Sudan. The Squirrels currently have one point and will be strengthened by the presence of key players such as Stéphane Sessègnon, Rudy Gestede, and the return of Stéphane Omotoyossi. Mali currently leads the group with four points, and a strong showing from Benin could help them catch up and put pressure on the group leaders.
Other matches on Wednesday include Chad against Tanzania in N’Djamena in Group G, where both teams are aiming to secure their first victories of the qualifiers. Meanwhile, Libya will seek their first points when they travel to Sao Tome in Group F, attempting to climb off the bottom of the table and challenge for a better position in the group standings.
The full Wednesday schedule is as follows:
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1:30 p.m.: South Sudan – Benin (Group C)
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2:40 p.m.: Chad – Tanzania (Group G)
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3:30 p.m.: Sao Tome and Principe – Libya (Group F)
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4:00 p.m.: Guinea-Bissau – Kenya (Group E)
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4:00 p.m.: Zambia – Congo (Group E)
Before this third round, the group standings highlight the tight nature of the competition across Africa. In Group A, Togo leads with six points, ahead of Tunisia and Liberia, while Djibouti remains winless. Group B sees Angola on top with four points, followed by DR Congo and the Central African Republic. Mali leads Group C with four points, while Sudan and Benin remain in contention. Uganda tops Group D with six points, and Congo and Zambia are tied in Group E with four points each. In Group F, Cape Verde and Morocco dominate with six points apiece, while Libya and Sao Tome and Principe have yet to find success.
Egypt and Ghana lead Groups G and H, respectively, while Group I is tightly contested with Sudan in the lead. Algeria heads Group J, and Senegal leads Group K. In Group L, Swaziland and Zimbabwe share the lead, and finally, in Group M, Cameroon sits atop the standings with six points, ahead of Mauritania, Gambia, and South Africa.
With high-stakes matches scheduled across the continent, Wednesday’s fixtures promise excitement and could significantly shape the qualification landscape for the 2017 AFCON, as teams jostle for crucial points in their respective groups.
