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TODAY marks the start of the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 as we reach the business end of what has been a hugely entertaining continental finals to date.
There are eight tough ties that await and if the tournament in the Ivory Coast have shown us anything so far, it is to expect the unexpected. Here is a look at the last-16 match-ups.
ANGOLA VS NAMIBIA
Today (7pm Zim time) – Stade de la Paix, Bouaké
An all-Southern African tie between Group D winners Angola and Namibia, who reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their history after stunning Tunisia in the pool phase. Considering these neighbours have competed almost annually in the COSAFA Cup for the last three decades, they have met on surprisingly few occasions. Their last meeting in the regional championship was 20 years ago in 2004, and their last clash of any sort was a friendly in 2011. Namibia’s blow-out 4-0 loss to Bafana Bafana aside, they have looked solid in the competition.
NIGERIA VS CAMEROON
Today (10pm Zim time) – Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan
Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro will hope his side can finally click after three ‘so-so’ performances to date, and there is no doubt they have the talent in their squad to go all the way int eh Ivory Coast. Cameroon have also been iffy; they needed a dramatic 3-2 win over Gambia to advance in their final pool match.
They will welcome back talismanic forward Vincent Aboubakar injury and hope he can be the catalyst for what would be a surprise win. Their last competitive meeting was in the round of 16 in 2019 when Nigeria came out 3-2 winners.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA VS GUINEA
Tomorrow (7pm Zim time) – Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan
Remarkably, these two sides have never met in international football before. Equatorial Guinea have been the surprise package of this tournament and a revelation with their free-flowing football.
They were the leading scorers in the group stages with nine goals, including back-to-back 4-2 and 4-0 wins over Guinea-Bissau and hosts Ivory Coast respectively.
Their forward Emilio Nsue plays in the lower leagues in Spain, but currently leads the Golden Boot race with five goals. Guinea rather limped over the line to make the knockouts and will have to improve drastically to beat the confident National Thunder.
EGYPT VS DR CONGO
Tomorrow (10pm SA time) – Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pédro
Injury-hit Egypt will be without Mo Salah and goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy, while impressive midfielder Emam Ashour is also a doubt after he suffered a concussion following their last game.
The Pharaohs had three successive 2-2 draws in the pool stages, unusual for a side that has for so long provided itself on a stout defence.
DR Congo are a tricky side who can match anyone on their day, and got three successive draws in the pools. So, neither of these sides has a win between them in the Ivory Coast so far.
Egypt beat DR Congo 2-0 in the pool stages in 2019 and have not lost to their Central African opponents since they were beaten in the Cup of Nations semi-finals 50 years ago in 1974. – SuperSport.
Online Reporter