Gambia- Congo clash headlines Sunday’s action

Gambia players

Sunday Sep 10, 2023. 10:36

The crunch clash between Gambia and Congo is the headline fixture of Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification action, with three matches played through the evening.

The early kick-offs from Groups A and B are dead-rubbers: already-qualified Nigeria will be looking to secure top spot with a win against Sao Tome & Principe (who will finish bottom of the standings regardless) at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, while already-eliminated Togo will tackle already-qualified Cape Verde at Stade de Kegue in Lome.

The late game, which sees Gambia host Congo in Marrakesh, will then decide who joins Mali in qualification from Group D.

The Scorpions currently occupy second place on nine points, with the Red Devils three points behind in third. Gambia need only avoid defeat to secure qualification for a second successive AFCON finals, while Congo will make a return to the tournament for the first time since 2015 only if they win (which would then see them ranked ahead of their opponents on a head-to-head tie-breaker).

Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet has named a squad which features the likes of Musa Barrow, Ebrima Colley, Hamza Barry and Omar Colley, while Congo’s Paul Put will look to stars such as Guy Mbenza, Silvere Ganvoula and Warren Tchimbembe.

AFCON fixtures, Sunday 10 September

Times CAT

18:00: Nigeria v Sao Tome & Principe

18:00: Togo v Cape Verde

21:00: Gambia v Congo