African World Cup Qualifers to watch
In the African qualifiers, there are 5 groups of four teams. The 1st place teams in each group qualify directly to the World Cup. The remaining team cannot qualify for the World Cup. These will be the last matches for every team except for South Africa and Senegal.
Group A: Tunisia vs Libya
Group A: Tunisia vs Libya
Saturday: 19:30 CET (+2) - 18:30 local time, Stade Olympique de Rades, Rades
Group C: C么te d’Ivoire vs Morocco
Saturday: 19:30 CET (+2) - 17:30 local time, Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan
Tunisia have the opportunity to reach the World Cup for the first time since 2006. The visitors Libya will be playing for pride. As Tunisia are top of the group and are three points above the DR Congo, all they need is a draw to qualify.
33 year old captain Aymen Mathlouthi has two clean sheets and has played a key role, as Tunisia have only conceded four goals in five matches. At the back Tunisia have Ali Maaloul who controls the back line, and helped Egyptian side Al Ahly reach the CAF Champions League final. Another decent player is Marseille defender Aymen Abdennour, who has been preforming well in the Europa League. The player to watch on the Tunisian national team is Rennais FC midfielder Wahbi Khazri. He controls the game for Tunisia, and scored two crucial goals against Libya and Mauritania. Up front Tunisia have Youssef Msakni who scored a hat trick against Guinea, and has scored six goals in seven matches for Qatari side Al Duhail.
Unfortunately for Libya, it has been a unsuccessful qualifying campaign as they have only won one match and lost four games. However, Libya have a young team with some players playing in the Portuguese and Europa League and could potentially be a great team in the future. In the middle Libya have GD Chaves (Liga NOS-馃嚨馃嚬) player Hamdou Elhouni who has an 82% pass accuracy rate, and scored in Libya's 1-0 victory over Guinea. 21 year old Ali Elmustati is already a key factor for Libya as Elhouni is an upcoming talented midfielder as he is making his way into the Liga NOS side Vit贸ria SC. A player that could do some damage to Tunisia is Akram Zuway. Zuway scored against the DR Congo, and has scored nine goals in nine matches for Jordanian side Al-Faisaly SC.
In this match Tunisia need a win or a draw to advance. As the is a historic match for the nation, all eyes will be on the Tunisian national team. For Libya this match will be used for getting prepared for the African Cup of Nations Qualifying.
Unfortunately for Libya, it has been a unsuccessful qualifying campaign as they have only won one match and lost four games. However, Libya have a young team with some players playing in the Portuguese and Europa League and could potentially be a great team in the future. In the middle Libya have GD Chaves (Liga NOS-馃嚨馃嚬) player Hamdou Elhouni who has an 82% pass accuracy rate, and scored in Libya's 1-0 victory over Guinea. 21 year old Ali Elmustati is already a key factor for Libya as Elhouni is an upcoming talented midfielder as he is making his way into the Liga NOS side Vit贸ria SC. A player that could do some damage to Tunisia is Akram Zuway. Zuway scored against the DR Congo, and has scored nine goals in nine matches for Jordanian side Al-Faisaly SC.
In this match Tunisia need a win or a draw to advance. As the is a historic match for the nation, all eyes will be on the Tunisian national team. For Libya this match will be used for getting prepared for the African Cup of Nations Qualifying.
Group C: C么te d’Ivoire vs Morocco
Saturday: 19:30 CET (+2) - 17:30 local time, Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan
C么te d’Ivoire will take on Morocco on the last match day as both teams will fight for a spot in the 2018 World Cup. The visitors are currently in 1st place of Group C with nine points. C么te d’Ivoire are in 2nd place and are one point below Morocco.
C么te d’Ivoire currently have one of the best right backs in the world Serge Auier. The Tottenham right back has won 100% of the tackles he has faced and has an 80% pass accuracy rate. In the middle, Les 脡l茅phants have Franck Kessie who is a young midfielder but is already a key player for C么te d’Ivoire. The AC Milan man has a 76% pass accuracy rate in the qualifiers and has two goals and two assists in Serie A. One of Les 脡l茅phants strengths is their variety of strikers from veterans to upcoming players. Sporting Lisbon man Seydou Doumbia has scored two goals for his nation, and in the Champions League against Olympiacos. Although he hasn't scored for C么te d’Ivoire yet, Wilfried Zaha will be the player to watch as he has scored two goals for Crystal Palace with many top clubs wanting to sign him.
Moroccan keeper Munir Mohamedi hasn't conceded a single goal and has made some crucial saves for his nation. At the back, Morocco have Juventus defender Medhi Benatia who is one of the main factors for Morocco's successful qualifiers and has an 82% pass accuracy rate. 19 year old right back Achraf Hakimi has won 78% of the tackles he has faced. Hakimi has also been preforming well for his club team Real Madrid in the La Liga and the Champions League. In the middle, Morocco have Hakim Ziyech who has scored two goals for his nation. Ziyech is one of the best midfielders in the Eredivisie, as he has scored three goals and has five assists for Ajax in 11 matches. Yeni Malatyaspor forward Khalid Boutaib scored a hat trick to give Morocco a crucial win over Gabon, and has scored six goals in the Turkish Super Lig.
Morocco have a huge opportunity to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1998. For the visitors a draw would send them to the World Cup. C么te d’Ivoire must win or else they won't compete in the World Cup.
C么te d’Ivoire currently have one of the best right backs in the world Serge Auier. The Tottenham right back has won 100% of the tackles he has faced and has an 80% pass accuracy rate. In the middle, Les 脡l茅phants have Franck Kessie who is a young midfielder but is already a key player for C么te d’Ivoire. The AC Milan man has a 76% pass accuracy rate in the qualifiers and has two goals and two assists in Serie A. One of Les 脡l茅phants strengths is their variety of strikers from veterans to upcoming players. Sporting Lisbon man Seydou Doumbia has scored two goals for his nation, and in the Champions League against Olympiacos. Although he hasn't scored for C么te d’Ivoire yet, Wilfried Zaha will be the player to watch as he has scored two goals for Crystal Palace with many top clubs wanting to sign him.
Moroccan keeper Munir Mohamedi hasn't conceded a single goal and has made some crucial saves for his nation. At the back, Morocco have Juventus defender Medhi Benatia who is one of the main factors for Morocco's successful qualifiers and has an 82% pass accuracy rate. 19 year old right back Achraf Hakimi has won 78% of the tackles he has faced. Hakimi has also been preforming well for his club team Real Madrid in the La Liga and the Champions League. In the middle, Morocco have Hakim Ziyech who has scored two goals for his nation. Ziyech is one of the best midfielders in the Eredivisie, as he has scored three goals and has five assists for Ajax in 11 matches. Yeni Malatyaspor forward Khalid Boutaib scored a hat trick to give Morocco a crucial win over Gabon, and has scored six goals in the Turkish Super Lig.
Morocco have a huge opportunity to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1998. For the visitors a draw would send them to the World Cup. C么te d’Ivoire must win or else they won't compete in the World Cup.
Group D: South Africa vs Senegal
Friday: 19:00 CET (+2), Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane
It is a must win for the Bafana Bafana as they take on Senegal who are top of the table and are four points above South Africa. Although South Africa beat Senegal 2-1 earlier this year, the match is being replayed due to match manipulation. What happened was that South Africa was given a penalty because Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly used his "hands" when it was clear that his hands didn't touch the ban. South Africa and Senegal now have two matches left whereas the rest of Africa have one match remaining.
Although South Africa have struggled at the back, their midfielders have preformed well. Andile Jali who plays for Belgian side KV Oostende and Percy Tau control the midfield and have scored and assisted twice. Both players also have a combined 81% pass accuracy rate. Although forward Dino Ndlovu hasen't scored for the Bafana Bafana, he is on fire for Azeri side Qarabag FK. Ndlovu has scored three goals in the Azeri league and made an assist in the Champions League.
Senegal are considered the favourites of this match as they many players who play in the top leagues. At the back, Senegal have Everton defensive midfielder Idrissa Gueye who has an 80% pass accuracy rate, and Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly who has won 100% of the tackles and a 83% pass accuracy rate. In the middle, Senegal's main player is team captain Cheikhou Kouyate who controls the game and has a 77% pass accuracy rate. Up front Senegal have West Ham United forward Diafra Sakho who scored a cructial goal to defeat Cape Verde and go top of the table. The player to watch is Sadio Mane who has scored one goal for Senegal, and has scored three goals in six matches for Premier League side Liverpool.
For South Africa, anything other than a win would eliminate their chances of qualifying to the 2018 World Cup. For Senegal, a victory would send them to Russia next year. A draw would put them three points above Burkina Faso. This match will force South Africa to play attacking style football. However Senegal might focus on defence as a draw is also a good result for them.
Senegal are considered the favourites of this match as they many players who play in the top leagues. At the back, Senegal have Everton defensive midfielder Idrissa Gueye who has an 80% pass accuracy rate, and Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly who has won 100% of the tackles and a 83% pass accuracy rate. In the middle, Senegal's main player is team captain Cheikhou Kouyate who controls the game and has a 77% pass accuracy rate. Up front Senegal have West Ham United forward Diafra Sakho who scored a cructial goal to defeat Cape Verde and go top of the table. The player to watch is Sadio Mane who has scored one goal for Senegal, and has scored three goals in six matches for Premier League side Liverpool.
For South Africa, anything other than a win would eliminate their chances of qualifying to the 2018 World Cup. For Senegal, a victory would send them to Russia next year. A draw would put them three points above Burkina Faso. This match will force South Africa to play attacking style football. However Senegal might focus on defence as a draw is also a good result for them.
.jpg)
Comments
Post a Comment