2023 AFCON qualifiers: Egypt, Mali and Burkina Faso look to finish on a high

Egypt's match against Ethiopia has nothing riding on it. The Pharaohs sealed their place at the 2023 AFCON after matchday 4. The game will help them prepare for the friendly against Tunisia on Tuesday 12th. Already eliminated, the Ethiopians travel to Egypt hoping to salvage some pride. Bottom of Group D, Ethiopia are battling for third place, which they share with Malawi. The Malawians take on Guinea, second in the group, on Saturday 9 September.

In Group B, Burkina Faso aim to finish the job against Eswatini on matchday 6 of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers. The group leaders, the Stallions are level on points with second-placed Cape Verde, so it is a long-distance race for top spot in the group. The Cape Verdeans face Togo on Sunday 10th. The game will also serve as a test for Burkina Faso before the big clash with Morocco, whom they play in a friendly in Lens on Tuesday 12th. The Burkinabè will, however, be without Bertrand Traoré, who is returning from injury.

Mali to get the job done?

Mali, for their part, need only a point to top Group B in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers. The Eagles host South Sudan at 18:00 GMT. They have 12 points, ahead of Gambia (9 pts). However, the Malians go into this game with problems within the squad. The players are demanding their bonuses for the win over Congo on the previous matchday, as well as their appearance bonus for this match against South Sudan. According to information from Sport News Africa, the three captains, Hamary Traoré, Diadje Samassekou and Falaye Sacko, met Sports Minister Abdoul Kassim Fomba and two members of the Federation's new leadership team. At the end of the talks, the players had so far won no concessions, nor any guarantees regarding payment of the bonuses. Despite this, they decided not to boycott the match.

Three matches on today's schedule #TotalEnergiesAFCONQ23. 📋

Who are you backing? pic.twitter.com/Ccbz3J3shI

— CAF - FR (@caf_online_FR) September 8, 2023