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AFCON 2015 Matches You Won’t Want To Miss

AFCON 2015 Matches You Won’t Want To Miss

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It is never a good idea to miss the opening match of the tournament, no matter who is playing. Opening ceremonies will precede the match, and those proceedings are ubiquitously entertaining. No one will know what to expect from Equatorial Guinea, but Congo coach Claude LeRoy will be used to the loudspeakers and bright lights as he is contesting his 8th Africa Cup of Nations.

congo eq
footafrica365.com

Equatorial Guinea vs. Congo

It is never a good idea to miss the opening match of the tournament, no matter who is playing. Opening ceremonies will precede the match, and those proceedings are ubiquitously entertaining. No one will know what to expect from Equatorial Guinea, but Congo coach Claude LeRoy will be used to the loudspeakers and bright lights as he is contesting his 8th Africa Cup of Nations.

 

footafrica365.com
footafrica365.com

Burkina Faso vs. Gabon

This match is a must-watch battle between two of the tournaments’ dark horses. Gabon exhibit irresistible speed from wide areas, while Burkina Faso are a tough, resolute, defensive side who are looking to finally overcome the final barrier after losing in the 2013 AFCON final, and being eliminated by Algeria in 2014 World Cup Qualifiers.

starafrica
starafrica.com

Burkina Faso vs. Congo

Claude LeRoy facing up against Paul Put is one of the best tactical battles on the continent. Gabrial Zakuani of Peterborough United recently called LeRoy the best tactician he’s ever worked with, and Paul Put perfectly understands the importance of resolute defending in big tournament. In their 2013 cup run, Burkina Faso only won one match en route to the final. Expect this match to be a close-knit affair.

starafrica.com
starafrica.com

Tunisia vs. Cape Verde

For the Carthage Eagles this is a sort of grudge match. Very few teams go into North Africa and win, but that is exactly what Cape Verde did 18 months ago, eliminating Tunisia from World Cup Qualification. Tunisia ended up advancing on an administrative technicality, but, nevertheless, an element of vengeance is in the air for the Carthage Eagles.

nairaland.com
nairaland.com

DR Congo vs. Zambia

This match has been dubbed ‘The TP Mazembe derby’ as many players from both nations don or have donned the famed black and white striped kit of Lubumbashi. Zambians Rainford Kalaba, Stoppila Sunzu, Nathan Sinkala, and Given Singuluma have all played for Moise Katumbi’s club. Nearly half of the Congolese side play in domestic leagues so there will be an air of familiarity in this shootout of a match.

Algeria's national soccer team players celebrate after the match against Russia at the 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match at the Baixada arena in Curitiba
themalaysianinsider.com

Algeria vs. Senegal

A lot will be riding on the outcome of Algeria vs. Senegal as it will be the last match of Group C. Both sides will be thankful it will not be contested in Mongomo, but rather Bata. For Algeria this will be a test of how serious they are about mounting a title challenge in Equatorial Guinea. For Senegal it will be a truetest to see if they are finally ready to re-join the African elite.

goal.com
goal.com

Algeria vs. Ghana

It has been 15 years since these two side last met, and 25 years since any match in an official capacity. This match is to be watched if only but for the rekindling of an elite rivalry. Islam Slimani vs. Jonathan Mensah, Sofiane Feghouli vs. Baba Rahman, and Asamoah Gyan vs. Carl Medjani are three fascinating duels all neutrals must keep an eye on.

timeslive.co.za
timeslive.co.za

South Africa vs. Algeria

Bafana Bafana have enjoyed a resurgence under the tenure of coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba. In a dozen matches, the South Africans have not lost a single match. Playing Algeria in their first match will be a bona fide litmus test for Mashaba’s defence who managed four clean sheets in their first four matches of qualifying.

lexpress

Ghana vs. Senegal

This fixture pits two of Africa’s most successful World Cup teams against one another. In 2002 and in 2010, both the Teranga Lions and the Black Stars were but a match from making history and becoming the first African sides to qualify for a semi-final.

intellivoire.net
intellivoire.net

Cote D’Ivoire vs. Cameroon

The last time these two sides met in a fixture of much importance, the Indomitable Lions trounced Les Elephants 4-1 in Yaounde. Then, youngsters Vincent Aboubakar and Clinton N’Jie tore holes through a fragile Ivorian defence. In a tournament of such magnitude the likelihood of Volker Finke’s men repeating the result is slight, but anytime two heavyweights such as these step in the ring, it is worth watching.

visionguinee.info
visionguinee.info

Cote D’Ivoire vs. Guinea

This match should absolutely be watched as it promises to be an offensive shootout. Both of these teams concede plenty of goals (Cote D’Ivoire have conceded the most in Africa during AFCON qualifiers), and both have great firepower in attack. A high-scoring, entertaining affair should be on the cards.

cbc.ca
cbc.ca

Mali vs. Cote D’Ivoire

Mali have developed a reputation as the dullards of the continent. During qualifying they held Algera – one of Africa’s most potent attacking sides – to one goal in two matches. Cote D’Ivoire will be just as dangerous, but if Henry Kasperczak’s men can shut them out, they will greatly increase their chances of progression.