The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers will this weekend from 3rd to 4th June 2016, enter gear five as teams aim to salvage last gasp points to gain entry into Gabon.

Mouthwatering battles are expected in all the 13 groups with only one team expected to sail through.

Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana and Senegal have all but assured themselves a spot at next year’s showpiece while giants like Nigeria will again make their absence known as they have failed to qualify for two successive tournaments now after also missing out in Equatorial Guinea 2015.

GROUP A
                     P      W     GD   Pts
Liberia         4        3      6       9
Tunisia        4        2      7       7  
Togo            4        2      2       7
Djibouti       4        0    -15      0    

Group A is not done and dusted with the top three teams all still in contention to finish top. Liberia who are on nine points will need to avoid defeat at home against Togo in Free Town while Tunisia have a much fancied but still trick away fixture in Djibouti.

GROUP B
                         P     W    GD    Pts
Congo DR       4      3       2       9
CAR                 4      2     -1       7 
Angola            4       1     1       4
Madagascar   4     0    -2       2

The Central African Republic who lie in second position on 7 points have a date with Angola at home. A win against the Black Antelopes will boost their chances of making an appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations both as group winners and and best runner’s-up. Angola meanwhile will be itching and desperate to pick up three points and hope Madagascar beats log leaders, The Democratic Republic of Congo if they are to throw themselves back in the mix for the top spot. A win for the Congo DR in Madagascar will see them dash Angola’s hopes of qualification.

GROUP C
                           P     W    GD     Pts
Mali                    4      3      4       10
Benin                4      2      4        8
South Sudan    4      1     -5       3 
Eq. Guinea        4       0    -3       1

Group C has seen Mali take full control of proceedings with 10 points collected even though Benin are breathing down on their necks just 2 points adrift. The Malians have a hard away fixture against South Sudan  while Benin have a home match against struggling Equatorial Guinea.

GROUP D

                              P    W    GD    Pts
Burkina Faso      4      2     2       7
Uganda               4      2      2       7
Botswana           4      2   -1      6
Comoros              4      1   -1      3

Group D has rightfully turned out to be the group of death with all four teams still in the mix for qualification. A win for Comoros against Burkina Faso will see them move a point behind their opponents who are leading the group on 7 points. However, Burkina Faso will have to decide their own destiny and aim to solidify top spot with a win. The clash of the group has pitted Botswana against Uganda with only a point between them. This is the definition of a thriller.

GROUP E
                               P    W    GD    Pts
Guinea Bissau    4      2      0      7
Congo                   4       1      2      6
Zambia                 4       1      1      6
Kenya                    4      0    -3      1

East African representatives Kenya are already out of contention for qualification as they lie at the bottom of Group E with only one point. They host second placed Congo in Nairobi looking only for pride. The Red Devils of Congo meanwhile are expected  pick up three points against the Harambee Stars. A draw will see them fall behind should either Guinea Bissau or Zambia pick up 3 point in the other match.

GROUP F
                        P      W    GD   Pts
Morocco         4       4      7      12  
Cape Verde    4       2       4       6
Libya              4       1     1       3
Sao Tome      4       1     -12     3

Group F is wrapped in ribbons, with Morocco already assured qualification. The Atlas Lions play North African rivals Libya hoping to maintain their 100 percent record. Cape Verde who took the 2013 Africa Cup of nations by storm lie 6 points behind leaders Morocco. However, a win for the Blue Sharks against Sao Tome and Principe will throw them back in the mix for qualification as best runner’s up.

GROUP G
                        P     W    GD    Pts
Egypt              4       2      4       7
Nigeria            3       0     -1       2
Tanzania        2       0     -3       1  

Nigeria are slowly becoming regular absentees at the Africa Cup of Nations. They have only amassed 2 points out of a possible 9 which is definitely not good for their reputation. Egypt however are already through and their fixture against Tanzania will be more of a formality.

GROUP H
                           P     W    GD      Pts
Ghana               4      3       9       10
Rwanda            4      2       4        6
Mauritius         4      2     -9        6
Mozambique   4      0     -4        1
   
                             
The black stars of Ghana need to avoid defeat in Mauritius if they are to maintain their grip on Group H. A win for Ghana will see them qualify to Gabon with a game to spare. Rwanda host the Mambas of Mozambique in Kigali. A victory will strengthen Rwanda’s bid to qualify as the best runner’s up.

GROUP I
                          P     W    GD    Pts
Gabon               4      2      4       7
Ivory Coast      4       1      1       6
Sierra Leone    4       1    -1       4
Sudan              4       1    -4       4    

Matches in Group I are being treated as friendlies with Gabon already qualified by virtual of being hosts. This therefore technically means 3 teams, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Sudan will battle it out for the top position.

GROUP J
                      P     W     GD     Pts
Algeria          4       3      12      10
Ethiopia        4      1       -5        5
Seychelles   4       1       -3        4
Lesotho        4      1       -4        3

Algeria  are looking set to wrap up Group J with an engagement on the Island of Seychelles. A victory for the home side will blow the group wide open once more and give chance to Ethiopia and Lesotho. Meanwhile the Ethiopian team travel to Lesotho knowing very well that a defeat will automatically knock them out of contention.

Senegal are already declared winners of Group K. They travel to Burundi hoping to maintain their 100 percent record. Burundi need to win against Senegal to stand a chance of qualifying among the best two runners- up. The other fixture sees the weeping boys Namibia and Niger square off in Windhoek.

GROUP L
                        P     W    GD    Pts
Zimbabwe      4       2       5      8 Guinea            4        1      0       5    Swaziland      4        1     -3      5
Malawi            4        0    -2      2

The brave Warriors of Zimbabwe will host the Flames of Malawi in Harare aiming to pip Guinea to top spot while Guinea plot victory against Swaziland in Mbabane.

GROUP M
                         P     W     GD    Pts
Cameroon       4      2       2       8
Mauritania      4       2       2      7
South Africa   4       0     -2      3
Gambia           4       0     -2      2

“M” for Mauritania is the shout in Group M. They are in second position a point behind Cameroon a team they host at home. A win for Mauritania will see them leapfrog the Indomitable lions.
The other fixture sees South Africa and Gambia play for nothing more than National pride.

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

Football Journalist | TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 Photographer | Media Officer - Kabwe Warriors FC | Graphic Designer | Videographer