Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers Kick Off with Guinea Hosting Togo in Casablanca
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2015 qualifying campaign begins this Friday with a Group E clash between Guinea and Togo at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco. This fixture marks the first day of qualifiers and carries significant weight for both sides aiming to secure their spot in the prestigious continental tournament.
Due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa, Guinea has temporarily relocated its base to Morocco for safety reasons, choosing Casablanca as their home venue for this crucial qualifying match. The Guinea national team, known as the Syli National, arrived in Morocco on Thursday and immediately began preparations for the encounter, including a morning pitch reconnaissance under the guidance of their coach Tchanilé Tchakala.
In a technical meeting overseen by Moroccan officials ahead of the match, both teams confirmed their playing kits. Guinea will don their traditional red jerseys paired with white shorts and socks, while Togo will line up in green jerseys, white shorts, and white socks.
Togo, led by captain Emmanuel Adebayor, is determined to make a strong start to their campaign. The Togolese squad is reported to be confident and ready for the challenge, aiming to overcome the logistical and emotional hurdles presented by playing away from home under such unusual circumstances.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. local time (GMT) at the Mohamed V Stadium, a venue with a rich footballing history and one that provides a neutral yet vibrant setting for this important qualifying fixture.
As the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers get underway, both teams will be eager to claim the maximum points in what promises to be a tightly contested Group E battle. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see which side can assert dominance early and set the tone for their qualification journey ahead.
