Two matches on the schedule. This day will be calmer than yesterday with only two meetings, and not the least… Two leaders will be on the lawns. After a disappointing first game, the Egyptians have to make up for an inferior opponent on paper. Nigeria wants to continue its competition against Guinea-Bissau.
We summarize everything for you in our CAN diary, our daily meeting until the final on February 6.
What happened on Friday
Group B. Senegal and Guinea back to back. No winner (0-0) in the West Africa derby between the Lions of Teranga and Syli National who both won their first match 1-0. As against Zimbabwe (1-0), Senegal, deprived of PSG midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye (Covid), was very slow. Led by a very good Naby Keita (Liverpool), Guinea was very close to opening the scoring but Morgan Guilavogui, the Paris FC striker, fell on a decisive Seny Dieng (30th).
In the 2nd period, Senegal recovered a little but the ex-Marseillais Bouna Sarr missed the target, after a good breakthrough (67th). Sadio Mané (Liverpool) was rather disappointing with only 50% of duels won. With 4 points, Senegal and Guinea, nevertheless remain in a very favorable tie to reach the round of 16.
Group B. Malawi can still believe it. In a match between two losers of the first day, Malawi made a good operation by beating Zimbabwe (2-1). Led after the opener by Ishmael Wadi (39th), the Malawians reversed the course of the match thanks to a double from Gabadinho Mhango (43rd, 58th), striker who plays for the Orlando Pirates, a South African club. If Zimbabwe is eliminated, Malawi, which will play against Senegal on Tuesday, can still believe in qualifying for the round of 16.
Group C. Morocco qualifies against Comoros. The hero of the match is called Salim Ben Boina, a 30-year-old Comoros goalkeeper who plays… in N3 (5th division) at US Endoume Catalans, a neighborhood club in Marseille. The goalkeeper made seven saves including a huge triple save, alone against three Moroccan players (78th) and a penalty from Youssef En-Nesyri (83rd). But after its success against Ghana (1-0), Morocco nevertheless ensured the essential thanks to goals from Selim Amallah (1-0, 16th) and Zakaria Aboukhlal (2-0, 84th). Vahid Halilhodzic’s team secures its ticket to the round of 16.
Group C. Gabon come back to the wire against Ghana. Without Mario Lemina and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (not yet fit after their Covid), Gabon snatched the equalizer in the 88th minute against Ghana, thanks to Clermontois Jim Allevinah, replacing at kick-off. The Ghanaians had opened the scoring (18th) thanks to a fine strike from former Marseille André Ayew (32) who now plays for Al-Sadd SC, in Qatar. Marked by several clashes, the match was very tense with 50 faults and six yellow cards distributed. It ended in a general fight… With 4 points, Gabon is close to qualifying. Ghana will have to beat Comoros with a score wide enough to hope to finish among the best 3rd.
The program for this Saturday, January 15
Group D: Nigeria-Sudan (5 p.m. on BeIN Sports 3)
They started this competition perfectly. Nigeria won 1-0 in the Group D clash against Egypt. A result that allows them to take first place on a superb goal from Kelechi Iheanacho.
The Leicester striker delivered the Super Eagles. A second victory would allow them to secure a place in the round of 16 and continue their journey. Sudan got off to a less good start, drawing a draw against Guinea-Bissau. But the ambitions of the Sudanese are less. They had not participated in an international competition since 2012.
Group D: Guinea-Bissau – Egypt (20 hours on BeIN Sports 3)
Disappointing. This is the term to define the entry into the running of the Egyptians. They failed to endanger the Niger defense. The men of Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz are however part of the outsiders of this CAN 2022. A victory, against a team inferior to them on paper, would completely relaunch them in this competition.
The Pharaohs have already won CAN 7 seven times in history. On the other side, Guinea-Bissau wants to create a surprise. With their draw in the first against Sudan, the Djurtus can still dream of the round of 16. A stage of the competition that they have never reached before.
Player to watch: Mohamed Salah
The hopes of an entire nation rest on him. He who has already won everything with Liverpool, he has never won anything with his country. Mohamed Salah continues to perform well at club level. Under the colors of Liverpool, since the start of the season, he has already scored 23 goals in 26 games. However, for the first match of the Egyptian selection, the striker failed to make the difference.
The captain of the Pharaohs intends to lead a whole people to the title. He made it a goal. Before the start of the competition, he posted a photo of the group on his Instagram account with the message: “The road is not easy, but we will fight to come back with the cup. To leave Cameroon with the trophy, it will take a great Mohamed Salah.
