The heat is on at the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday, as the second round of pool fixtures gets underway in Cote d’Ivoire.
A mammoth contest sees the host nation go up against a Nigeria team needing a win, with Egypt and Ghana also desperate for points when they meet later in the evening.
The day’s Afcon action kicks off with the Group A match between Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
Afcon predictions and fixtures for 18 January
*All kick off times are in Central Africa Time.
Group A: Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea-Bissau – 16.00
It’s moving day in Group A at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, starting with the contest between Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
The West African pair have a point between them after the opening round of fixtures.
And it’s the National Thunder who come into this one the happier, having held mighty Nigeria to a draw on the opening weekend.
Iban Salvador threatened to cause an almighty upset when he opened the scoring, only for Victor Osimhen to level almost instantly for the Super Eagles.
Their opponents failed to land a glove on hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the Afcon curtain-raiser last Friday night.
Slipping to a routine 2-0 defeat means they already have it all to do to stand a chance of reaching the knockouts of the delayed 2023 edition.
Group A: Cote d’Ivoire vs Nigeria – 19.00
What a fixture we have on our hands at the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday, as host nation Cote d’Ivoire go up against Nigeria.
A win for the Elephants would not only seal their progression to the Round of 16, but deal a potentially killer blow to the Super Eagles even at this early stage of the tournament.
That’s because the Nigerians failed to beat Equatorial Guinea in their Group A opener last Saturday.
And it could have been worse, with Victor Osimhen’s goal sparing their blushes.
Goals from Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso ensured there was no such angst for the Ivorians on their big opening night.
They cruised to a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau to put themselves in prime position to make a serious dent in their home Afcon.
Group B: Egypt vs Ghana – 22.00
A mammoth day at the Africa Cup of Nations reaches a climax on Thursday night with the game between Egypt and Ghana in Cote d’Ivoire.
Star striker Mohamed Salah has already grabbed the Afcon headlines after rescuing the Pharaohs in their Group B opener.
Seconds away from a staggering loss to Mozambique, the Liverpool forward struck a last gasp penalty to pinch a 2-2 draw, which felt a long way from Mostafa Mohamed’s opening goal in just the second minute.
So a point on the board for the north African nation then, which is more than can be said for their opponents.
Ghana have form for imploding on the big stage and did so at their first hurdle against Cape Verde, sinking to an injury-time, 2-1 loss.
Alexander Djiku had earlier headed the Black Stars to parity, but the grim memories of their 2021 group stage exit in Cameroon came flooding back as Garry Rodrigues capitalised on a defensive cock up to steal a precious three points.
Afcon predictions for 18 January
Equatorial Guinea v Guinea-Bissau
| Result prediction | Equatorial Guinea to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Equatorial Guinea / Equatorial Guinea to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Côte d’Ivoire v Nigeria
| Result prediction | Côte d’Ivoire to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Côte d’Ivoire / Côte d’Ivoire to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Egypt v Ghana
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Ghana / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |