Baxter expects Furman, Mkhize to be fit for Morocco

Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter says he expects to have both midfielder Dean Furman and right-back Thami Mkhize fit to face Morocco in Monday’s crucial Africa Cup of Nations clash in Cairo.

Defensive midfielder Furman, the most experienced member of the squad, missed the 1-0 win over Namibia last time out through injury, while Mkhize picked up a concussion in the match and had to be replaced.

“The team feels a bit settled. The players are believing; Dean trained on Saturday and is looking fine while Thami Mkhize’s concussion is OK,” Baxter told reporters.

It’s do or die for most teams today as they look to secure a spot in the knockout stage.#TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/yEwp2IfzZs— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) July 1, 2019

Both will likely line-up against Morocco, where a point should be enough to see Bafana into the second round as one of the best third-placed sides. A win would certainly do the trick, though they may yet finish third still if Ivory Coast defeat Namibia as expected.

Baxter says his side feel more confident after having had two games under their belt, and will improve as the tournament goes on.

“Morocco were strong against Ivory Coast, have a very experienced team and will be a tough opponent for us. But we feel that we are settling more and more into a good rhythm and we feel we can give a good game,” he said.

“The players are quite confident and the preparations have been going quite well. We were a bit late with our preparations because of some cancelled games so these games in the tournament are actually bringing us closer together to where we want to be.

“We are quite confident,” he added.

Guinea-Bissau look to surprise Ghana

Guinea-Bissau will face off with Ghana in their final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group F match at the Suez Stadium in Egypt on Tuesday.

Kick-off is at 6:00 pm CAT.

The African Wild Dogs boosted their hopes of advancing to the Round of 16 by holding Benin to a 0-0 stalemate in their second group match on Saturday.

The draw saw Guinea-Bissau remain fourth on the group standings with one point and they could go through as one of the four best third-placed teams if they secure a big win over Ghana.

Guinea-Bissau coach Baciro Cande is hopeful that the West African side can stun the Black Stars and advance to the knockout phase for the first time in history.

“It is very difficult for us to qualify but in football everything is possible and our target is to get to the round of 16,” Cande said.

“We know Ghana are very powerful, very strong but we will play our normal game, with no pressure.”

Saudi Arabia-based forward Piqueti Djassi Silva, who walked away with the Man of the Match award after the clash against Benin, will be looking to inspire Guinea Bissau to victory over the Black Stars.

Meanwhile, Ghana’s hopes of progressing to the Round of 16 are still alive despite recording their second successive Group F draw when they drew 0-0 with Cameroon on Saturday.

The draw left the Black Stars placed second on the group standings with two points and a victory over Guinea-Bissau will see them secure their place in the knockout phase.

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey is hoping for an improved performance against the African Wild Dogs as the four-time Afcon champions look to finish their group stage campaign with a win.

“We are a team and we play as a team. Things didn’t go well for me personally (against Cameroon),” Partey said.

“I tried to help with whatever I can and I’m happy with the performance of the team. Now we have to focus on our next game.”

Swansea City midfielder-cum-striker Andre Ayew, who is the Ghana captain, will be keen to lead his nation to victory over the African Wild Dogs.

This will be the first-ever meeting between Guinea-Bissau and Ghana.

Group stage tie-breakers and determination of best third place teams

The final day matches of the group stage of the Total Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2019 are underway as the race for places at knockout stages gathers momentum.

In summary, the Round of 16 will be made up of top two teams from each group and the best four third place teams.

Ahead of the ultimate day matches, host Egypt, Madagascar, Nigeria, Uganda, Algeria and Morocco have secured their places at the Round of 16. They will be joined by six other teams for the knockout stages including the best four placed teams.

It is the first time the third placed teams will qualify to the next stage of the premier continental Championship, and it is due to the expansion to 24 teams.

To know more about criteria for the qualification and scenarios for determination of the four best third-place teams, please click here

Group stage tie-breakers and determination of best third place teams

The final day matches of the group stage of the Total Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2019 are underway as the race for places at knockout stages gathers momentum.

In summary, the Round of 16 will be made up of top two teams from each group and the best four third place teams.

Ahead of the ultimate day matches, host Egypt, Madagascar, Nigeria, Uganda, Algeria and Morocco have secured their places at the Round of 16. They will be joined by six other teams for the knockout stages including the best four placed teams.

It is the first time the third placed teams will qualify to the next stage of the premier continental Championship, and it is due to the expansion to 24 teams.

To know more about criteria for the qualification and scenarios for determination of the four best third-place teams, please click here

Benin tackle defending champions Cameroon

Benin are set to take on Cameroon in their final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group F match at the Ismailia Stadium in Egypt on Tuesday.

Kick-off is at 6:00 pm CAT.

The Squirrels’ hopes of reaching the Round of 16 are still alive despite drawing 0-0 with a stubborn Guinea-Bissau side in their second group match on Saturday.

The draw left Benin placed third on the group standings with two points and they will advance to the knockout phase if they secure a win over Cameroon.

Benin’s experienced coach Michel Dussuyer has made it known that the West African side is going for a victory against the Indomitable Lions.

“We played a big game (Guinea-Bissau), we did not end things as we liked and we want to win the next game,” Dussuyer said.

The Squirrels will look to their influential captain and playmaker Stephane Sessegnon, who is the most experienced player in their squad.

Meanwhile, Cameroon look set to advance to the Round of 16 despite drawing 0-0 with a resilient Ghana side in their second group match on Saturday.

The Indomitable Lions remain at the top of the group standings with four points and a win or draw against Benin will be enough to send them to the knockout phase

Cameroon head coach Clarence Seedorf hopes the defending Afcon champions can deliver a more crowd-pleasing performance against the Squirrels.

“It may not have been good for the fans and we want to do better,” Seedorf said.

“But I saw two organised teams (Cameroon and Ghana) who created enough chances to have won.”

The Indomitable Lions’ dangerman is China-based attacker Christian Bassogog, who won the 2017 Afcon Player of the Tournament accolade.

In Head-to-Head stats, Benin and Cameroon have met five times with the Indomitable winning the five encounters.

Moment of silence in honour of Ndaye Mulamba

For the final day matches of the group stage at the Total Africa Cup of Nations, CAF has decided to honour former DR Congo striker Pierre Ndaye Mulamba, the record holder for most goals in a single AFCON campaign.

A moment of silence will be observed before all the Day three matches starting today in memory of Mulamba, whose nine goals at the 1974 AFCON, incidentally in Egypt remains a record.

“We would like to pay homage to Pierre Ndaye Mulamba, record top scorer as he scored nine goals in 1974 edition here in Egypt. We will witness a minute of silence in his honour for all last day of the group stage,” said CAF Deputy General Secretary Anthony Baffoe.

Mulamba passed away on 26 January 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. A lethal finisher in his playing days, he scored both goals as DR Congo beat Zambia 2-0 in the final of the 1974 AFCON in Cairo, Egypt.

Source: CAF Online

Kenya look to upset Senegal

Kenya are scheduled to face Senegal in their final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group C match at the 30 June Stadium in Egypt on Monday.

Kick-off is at 9:00 pm CAT.

The Harambee Stars kept their hopes of advancing to the Round of 16 are alive after they recorded their first Group C win when they defeated their East African rivals Tanzania 3-2 on Thursday.

The victory took Kenya to third place on the group standings with three points and a win over Senegal will see them book their place in the knockout phase.

Kenya head coach Sebastien Migne has explained that the pressure is on Senegal, who are one of the tournament favourites.

“I didn’t see a lot of weakness for the Senegalese team, and even if I did see a small one, I wouldn’t tell you,” Migne told Goal.

“We have no pressure, it’s only pleasure, to be there, to play against No 1 in Africa, and to start the game in a good position.”

Kashiwa Reysol striker Michael Olunga, who netted a brace against Tanzania, will be looking to find the back of the net and help his side stun the Lions of Teranga.

Meanwhile, Senegal’s hopes of reaching the knockout phase took a knock when they were defeated 1-0 by Algeria on Thursday which was their first defeat in Group C.

The defeat left the Lions of Teranga placed second on the group standings with three points and Senegal will progress to the Round of 16 if they defeat Kenya.

Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse feels that England-based midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye can help the team finish their group stage campaign with a win.

“We have to prepare well for Kenya, getting back the injured players will be very important for us,” Cisse told the media.

“I hope to have Idrissa Gana for Kenya’s match. We have to gather our strength to continue our journey.”

Liverpool FC forward Sadio Mane remains Senegal’s dangerman and he will be keen to inspire the Lions of Teranga to victory over the Harambee Stars.

In Head-to-Head stats, Kenya and Senegal have met three times and the Lions of Teranga have recorded two victories, while one match ended in a draw.

Afcon 2019 Matchday Live Experience

Welcome to our comprehensive coverage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Watch all the matches live on SuperSport or live stream them through DStv Now. You can also follow the matches through our live text commentary and interact with us through the live blog.

LIVE STREAMING

Namibia v Cote d’Ivoire – 18:00

South Africa v Morocco – 18:00

Kenya v Senegal – 21:00

Tanzania v Algeria – 21:00

LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY

Namibia v Cote d’Ivoire

– 18:00

South Africa v Morocco – 18:00

Kenya v Senegal – 21:00

Tanzania v Algeria – 21:00

Salah on target as Egypt maintain perfect record

Egypt wrapped up a perfect record in Group A of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations by defeating Uganda 2-0 at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday night.

The result sees the Pharaohs top the pool with a full haul of nine points and they advance into the last 16 to face a third-placed team from one of Groups C, D or E in Cairo next Saturday, July 6.

The Cranes finish in second place despite the defeat (thanks very much to a convincing win for DR Congo over Zimbabwe in the group’s other game) and will face the runners-up of Group C (likely to be either Senegal or Kenya) at the same venue on Friday, July 5.

#TotalAFCON2019 – RESULT:Egypt make it 3 wins from 3 matchesDR Congo crush Zimbabwean dream pic.twitter.com/VWKwzhQPSP— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) June 30, 2019

The first shot in anger came from Uganda, with Farouk Miya cutting inside from the left and shooting toward the near post, where goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy had to make a decent save in the fifth minute of the match.

On 14 minutes Emmanuel Okwi threatened in a similar manner, but again his well-struck shot was plucked out of the air with relative comfort by the Egyptian gloves-man.

The Cranes continued to look the more dangerous side in attack, while the Pharaohs’ forward ambitions were hurt by an injury to Ahmed Hassan which forced the early introduction of Marwan Mohsen off the bench.

El Shenawy made another notable save just before the half-hour mark, acrobatically tipping a swerving shot from Allan Kyambadde over the crossbar, while a few minutes later he made two fine blocks in quick succession to deny Abdu Lumala.

Salah being Salah ????#TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/OyZuQIqrbt— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) June 30, 2019

Uganda were well on top, but against the run of play Egypt claimed the lead in the 36th minute through a superb goal from Mohamed Salah. The forward sent a beautiful strike direct from a free kick past the left hand of goalkeeper Denis Onyango.

And the Pharaohs doubled their advantage just before the interval, with a sweeping move ending with Ayman Ashraf’s low cross from the left finding Ahmed Elmohamady, who fired home a low shot on the angle to send the hosts 2-0 up.

It should have been 3-0 for the Egyptians within the opening seven minutes of the second half, as Salah went through one-on-one with Onyango, but the Liverpool star was unable to beat the on-rushing goalkeeper.

The Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper was later replaced by Robert Odongkara, as he appeared to be taken ill on the pitch. Yet it was at the other end, where Uganda were unable to take their chances, which really cost them this match.

The likes of Okwi, Miya and Kyambadde continued to either shoot off target or find El Shenawy in inspired form, with the Pharaohs able to close out a 2-0 win.

Uganda 0

Egypt (2) 2 (Salah 36’, Elmohamady 45+1’)

Uganda: Onyango (Odongkara 72’), Wadada, Awany, Wasswa, Walusimbi, Azira, Lumala, Miya, Aucho (Lwanga 70’), Kyambadde (Kizito 79’), Okwi

Egypt: El Shenawy, B. El Mohamady, Hegay, Ashraf, A. Elmohamady (Gaber 90+2’), Trezeguet, Elneny (Hamed 62’), Said, Emad, Salah, A. Hassan (Mohsen 25’)