Gambia hungry for victory, Kenya go back to drawing board

Ibou Touray of Gambia challenged by El Hadary Raheriniaina of Madagascar during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers match between Madagascar and Gambia at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco on 11 October 2024 ©Nour Aknajja/BackpagePix

by Thando Mpembe

Monday Oct 14, 2024. 11:56

Monday’s round of fixtures in the qualification journey for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations brings crucial clashes that are must wins for certain nations in order to book a spot in the tournament to be hosted in Morocco.

Gambia is set to lock horns with Madagascar at the El Abdi Stadium in their fourth match in Group A, and the fixture is an all-important clash if the country hopes to play in the competition for a consecutive time.

Johnathan McKinstry, who just took the reins at The Scorpions has been tasked to make sure that the team qualifies for the next AFCON and the World Cup.

Elsewhere, Kenya will have a go again against Cameroon at the Mandela National Stadium after they faced a heavy defeat against the Indomitable Lions with a scoreline of 4-1 on Friday.

Kenya coach Engin First is demanding much better results from the Harambee Stars in this re-match.

“The first half was the worst in my time in Kenya. We made too many mistakes, especially with the first goal, but in the end, Cameroon played well,” he said.

“[Christian] Bassogog was exceptional today. I’ve never seen him so active as he was in this match. We trained for these transitions, but it didn’t matter in the final moments.”

Liberia is also set to play against Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe faces off against Namibia, Togo will lock horns with Algeria and the last fixture of the day will be Eswatini taking on Mozambique at the Mbombela Stadium.

AFCON qualifying fixtures, 14 October

Kenya v Cameroon

Gambia v Madagascar

Liberia v Equatorial Guinea

Zimbabwe v Namibia

Togo v Algeria

Eswatini v Mozambique