African Teams Set for Key Friendlies Following AFCON Qualifiers
Several African national teams are back in action just days after completing their second-round matches in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, taking advantage of the September FIFA international window to fine-tune preparations.
Gabon, who drew with Sudan over the weekend, travel to Zambia on Tuesday for a high-profile friendly in Lusaka. The match is part of Gabon’s broader efforts to strengthen their squad ahead of their AFCON hosting duties in 2017. However, they will be without star striker and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who returned to Borussia Dortmund after suffering a minor ankle injury. The 2015 African Footballer of the Year left the pitch in the 82nd minute of Saturday’s match and is currently undergoing treatment in Germany.
Gabon have called up several new faces to bolster their squad, including Axel Meye and Romaric Rogombe from Akanda FC, as well as Knox Younga from CF Mounana. The trio joined the squad ahead of the Zambia fixture.
Meanwhile, South Africa will be looking to bounce back from a shock 3-1 defeat to Mauritania when they face Senegal in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The match, played as part of the Nelson Mandela Challenge, offers the Bafana Bafana a chance to restore pride after a disappointing performance in Nouakchott. Senegal, fresh from their win over Namibia, will use the encounter to continue building momentum under coach Aliou Cissé.
Elsewhere, Nigeria are also scheduled to take to the pitch again, just four days after a 0-0 draw against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam. The Super Eagles will host Niger on Wednesday, September 9, in Port Harcourt, with interim coach Sunday Oliseh expected to make changes as he continues evaluating his options in the early stages of his tenure.
Friendly Fixtures
Tuesday, September 8
Zambia vs Gabon (Lusaka)
South Africa vs Senegal (Johannesburg – Nelson Mandela Challenge)
Wednesday, September 9
Nigeria vs Niger (Port Harcourt)
These matches provide an important platform for tactical experimentation and squad rotation, as teams gear up for a busy international calendar heading into the next round of qualifiers.
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