AFCON 2023 (Q): CAR, Zambia and Equatorial Guinea one win away from joining Ivory Coast

Zambia, Equatorial Guinea in the same boat

Ivory Coast, who have qualified as hosts of AFCON 2023, are in Group H of the qualifying campaign. The Elephants are in fact top with 10 points. Just behind them are Zambia (9 pts). Handily, the two sides meet on Saturday 17 June. The Chipolopolos, who are at home, have the chance to seal their qualification. They only need a draw, as they are six points clear of the Comoros (3rd, 3 pts), who face Lesotho, bottom of the table with a single point.

Equatorial Guinea are in the same situation in Group J of the AFCON 2023 qualifiers. Nzalang Nacional, second with 9 points, host the Tunisian leaders, who have already qualified (10 pts). The Equatorial Guineans must avoid defeat to play in the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. Equatorial Guinea can draw confidence from their current form, as they have not lost for 1 year (5 matches). Their last defeat came on 2 June 2022... against Tunisia (0-4, matchday 1). So there is a score to settle. Behind them, Libya (3rd, 3 pts), who travel to Botswana (4th, 1 pt), must win and hope for a Tunisian victory. If that happens, the Libyans will have a decider on the 6th and final matchday... against Equatorial Guinea for a place at the festival of African football.

CAR eye a historic win, Benin face Senegal, the giants of the group

History could be made on Saturday 17 June 2023. The Central African Republic (2nd in Group E, 7 pts) can qualify for AFCON 2023 by beating Angola (3rd, 5 pts) at home. That would be a first, as the Wild Beasts have never played at an Africa Cup of Nations. And even though they are hosting in Douala, Cameroon, because they have no approved stadium, the side managed by Raoul Savoy will be driven on by millions of Central Africans.

Read also: AFCON 2023 (Q)-Central African Republic-Raoul Savoy: "Positive pressure"

Against Senegal, the reigning African champions, Benin cannot afford a slip. The Cheetahs must win if they are to hope for a "final" for qualification to AFCON 2023 on the 6th and final matchday against Mozambique. Second in Group L with 4 points, behind Senegal (12 pts, already qualified), Benin must win to keep their chances alive. Rwanda (3rd, 3 pts) and Mozambique (4th, 2 pts), who meet on Sunday, are just behind.

South Africa-Morocco for top spot

While most teams will be driven by the pressure of the result, one match will be almost a dead rubber on Saturday 17 June. In Group K, South Africa (2nd, 4 pts) and Morocco (1st, 6 pts), who have both already booked their places at AFCON 2023, meet for top spot and prestige.

Saturday 17 June fixtures (GMT)

13:00: Central African Republic - Angola

13:00: Zambia – Ivory Coast

14:00: Lesotho – Comoros

15:00 : Equatorial Guinea - Tunisia

15:00 : South Africa – Morocco

18:00: Botswana – Libya

19:00: Benin - Senegal