The second round of pool stage fixtures continues at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire on Friday, as a bumper weekend of action kicks off.
Cape Verde are in great shape going into their Group B contest with Mozambique, with qualification for the knockout phase in the offing for the island nation.
Then it’s the turn of big guns Senegal and Cameroon, who lock horns for a place at the top of Group C before Guinea’s match against Gambia as the top half of the Afcon draw starts to take shape.
Afcon predictions and fixtures for 19 January
*All kick off times are in Central Africa Time.
Cape Verde Islands v Mozambique
| Result prediction | Cape Verde Islands to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Cape Verde Islands / Cape Verde Islands to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Senegal v Cameroon
| Result prediction | Senegal to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Senegal / Senegal to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | V. Aboubakar(Cameroon) K. Toko-Ekambi(Cameroon) |
Guinea v Gambia
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Guinea / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Group B: Cape Verde vs Mozambique – 16.00
Cape Verde are already on the brink of something special as they go into their second Group B match at the Africa Cup of Nations against Mozambique.
The Blue Sharks stunned the Black Stars of Ghana on the opening weekend, as Garry Rodrigues poked home to ensure a famous 2-1 win in injury time, with Jamiro Monteiro’s goal having earlier broke the deadlock.
Thursday night’s 2-2 draw between the Ghanaians and Egypt – who also saw Mohamed Salah trudge off injured – means a win will take the islanders through to the Round of 16 in Cote d’Ivoire with a match to spare.
It’s a welcome step towards their best effort of a quarter-final place back in 2013.
For Mozambique, there are also grounds for optimism thanks to their opening game draw with the Egyptians.
Even Salah’s last-gasp penalty didn’t dent the party too much, with the southern African nation still well in the mix for qualification if they can sneak a result here against the pool leaders.
Group C: Senegal vs Cameroon – 19.00
It’s all to play for in Group C at the Africa Cup of Nations, as reigning champions Senegal go up against hosts last time out Cameroon.
Sadio Mane’s men made the perfect start to their Afcon defence last Monday, cruising to a 3-0 win over hapless Gambia.
Pape Gueye opened the scoring early on from Mane’s assist, before a second half double from Lamine Camara ensured the Lions of Teranga pulled away from their ten-man opponents with ease.
Cameroon, by contrast, have work to do after slipping up against Guinea, despite their opponents also playing the entire second half with a man sent off.
The five-time Afcon champions even had to come from behind, as Frank Magri pulled level to set up a potentially decisive contest with the Senegalese.
Group C: Guinea vs Gambia – 22.00
West African rivals Guinea and Gambia face off at the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday night knowing a win for either side would set them up for a serious tilt at qualifying for the Round of 16 in Cote d’Ivoire.
It’s Guinea who have the edge, thanks to a famous draw against quintuple Afcon winners Cameroon in their Group C opener.
Mohamed Bayo scored to put the National Elephants into a shock fifth-minute lead, but it threatened to unravel when Francois Kamano was sent off for a bad challenge just before half time.
To concede only once after the break was to their credit, leaving them with a real chance of reaching the knockouts.
Gambia also saw red in their devilish opener against reigning Cup of Nations winners Senegal.
The Scorpions were already a goal down when Ebou Adams received his marching orders on the stroke of half time, with another two goals after the interval leaving them with an uphill struggle to stay in the competition.