AFCON 2015 Qualifiers: Nations Clash in Crucial Matchday Showdowns
As the race to secure a place in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations resumes, teams across the continent prepare for pivotal clashes in Matchdays 3 and 4 of the qualifiers. With pressure mounting and standings tightening, each encounter could prove decisive.
In Group A, defending champions Nigeria face a critical test against Sudan. With just one point from two games, the Super Eagles are in danger of missing out on qualification. Their missteps could open the door for Congo and South Africa, who both look to capitalise in their own fixtures. Congo top the group with a perfect six points, followed by South Africa on four.
Group B sees Algeria asserting early dominance with back-to-back wins, including a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mali. The Desert Foxes now travel to Malawi, aiming to maintain momentum before the return fixture. Meanwhile, Mali and Malawi—level on three points—continue their battle for second place, as winless Ethiopia hope to avoid early elimination.
In Group C, anticipation builds around the double-header between Gabon and Burkina Faso. The Burkinabé lead the standings with six points, while Gabon trail closely with four. Lesotho and Angola, with just one and zero points respectively, face an uphill climb in a competitive group.
Cameroon have emerged as early favourites in Group D, dispatching both DR Congo and Ivory Coast to top the table with six points. The Ivorians, under pressure after a 4-1 thrashing by the Indomitable Lions, are tied on three points with DR Congo. Sierra Leone, still searching for form, sit bottom with no points.
Group E remains tightly contested. Ghana and Uganda are level at four points each, following strong performances in their opening matches. Ghana edged past Togo 3-2 in Lomé, while Uganda notched a confident 2-0 win over Guinea. Guinea, with three points, remain in the hunt, but Togo are yet to register a point.
Cape Verde have emerged as the surprise package in Group F, sitting top with two impressive victories over Niger and Zambia. With six points, they lead Mozambique, who have drawn both matches. Niger and Zambia share the bottom with a point apiece.
In Group G, Senegal and Tunisia have both started flawlessly. Senegal’s emphatic wins over Egypt and Botswana put them in joint leadership with Tunisia, who also defeated both sides. Egypt—record seven-time AFCON champions—are in crisis, having yet to collect a single point, alongside Botswana.
As the group stage unfolds, only the top two teams in each group, along with the best third-placed team, will qualify for the final tournament. With everything to play for, the next two matchdays promise high drama and potentially decisive turns in Africa’s most prestigious football contest.
