Africa Cup of Nations predictions, fixtures and results: Thursday 20 January 2022
Note: While this edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is officially referred as Afcon 2021, due to the tournament’s postponement, for continuity, we might sometimes refer to it as Afcon 2022.
Don’t take your eyes off the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday, with Group E providing shocks for the ages and a heavyweight needing points to progress from Group F.
Reigning champions Algeria are in deep trouble and know that only a win will do against the Ivory Coast, while minnows Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea could both still make it through at the expense of the Ferenc Foxes.
Tunisia are a point off the pace as they prepare to face the Gambia, with Mali hot favourites against Mauritania.
*All kick off times are in Central Africa Time.
Group E: Ivory Coast vs Algeria
A pool stage blockbuster is served up by the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday, as Ivory Coast and Algeria go head-to-head in Cameroon.
The 2019 Afcon champions have had a torrid defence of their crown so far, mustering a point from their opener with Sierra Leone before suffering one of the biggest shocks in tournament history in losing to Equatorial Guinea.
It’s a much happier picture for the Elephants, who sit top of the standings on four points despite also being pegged back by the plucky Leone Stars on Sunday.
Kick off at 18:00.
Group E: Sierra Leone vs Equatorial Guinea
It’s all to play for between Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday, in a Group E decider that could see both underdogs progress to the knockouts.
The National Thunder stunned a continent, not to mention the defending champions, on Sunday night when Esteban Obiang’s close-range finish saw them home to a famous win over Algeria.
It sees them kick off the deciding match in second place, a point and a place above their opponents, who have been ever so impressive themselves in drawing with both the Ferenc Foxes and Ivory Coast on their tournament return.
Kick off at 18:00.
Group F: Gambia vs Tunisia
Tunisia come into their final Group F clash at the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday against the Gambia looking to complete their turnaround in fortunes to make the Round of 16.
An opening defeat to Mali put the Carthage Eagles on the back foot but Wahbi Khazri was at the double as they roared back to trounce Mauritania 4-0.
Their opponents sit level on four points with Mali at the summit of a congested pool, thanks to a 90th-minute penalty from Musa Barrow to salvage a point against the Eagles.
Kick off at 21:00.
Group F: Mali vs Mauritania
Mali and Mauritania meet in the final round of Group F fixtures at the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday, with the Eagles poised to progress to the last 16.
They sit second in the pool on four points and were nearly home and hosed after taking a 79th-minute lead over Gambia in Limbe, only for their opponents to perform the same feat at the death.
The underdogs are pointless and up against it even on the goal difference front after shipping four to Tunisia last time out.
Kick off at 21:00.
Africa Cup of Nations 2022: Latest Group E and F standings
Find all the?latest standings, fixtures and results for the 2022 Africa?Cup of Nations here.
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Group F
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Africa Cup of Nations predictions for 20 January
Prediction methodology explained: The expected win percentage is based off publicly available odds. For example, if a team’s odds are 2.30, the expected chance of winning is 43%. If the odds are 1.62 the expected chance of winning is 62% and so on. These are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change. Where there is no value listed, the odds were not available at the time of writing.
