Senegal and Guinea go head to head on Friday in their second Group ‘B’ game at the Bafoussam Omnisport stadium in Kouekong as both teams seek to secure three points and a place in the knockout stage.
Both sides won their opening group fixtures, Senegal edging Zimbabwe 1-0 while Guinea posted a similar result against Malawi.
The Teranga Lions of Senegal, who are Africa’s top football nation according to the latest Fifa rankings are 14 places ahead of Guinea who are listed 15th on the continent.
On paper, it looks like a David v Goliath encounter, but Mane and teammates will have to improve on their opening day performance to top the group.
Like Senegal, Guinea were made to sweat for their 1-0 victory over the Flames of Malawi despite being tipped by pundits to win comfortably since their opponents were missing some key players due to Covid-19.
The Senegal v Guinea encounter will take place at 4pm EAT and will be followed by another Group ‘B’ game between Malawi and Zimbabwe who are seeking to record first victories at the tournament.
Meanwhile, there will also be action in Group ‘C’ at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium with Gabon, who won their opening game against newcomers Comoros seeking to also beat Ghana who lost 1-0 to Morocco.
The return of Arsenal striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nice midfielder, Mario Lemina who had tested positive for Covid and could not play the first game will be a booster to The Panthers.
However, the Gabonese will miss the main coach, Patrice Neveu who tested positive for the virus and has been isolating in the run up to the game.
The assistant coach of the 2017 Afcon hosts, Anicet Yala has said his side will not waste any chances.
“The battle against Ghana will be fierce but we are ready,” Yala said at a pre-match press conference in Yaounde.
Four-time champions, Ghana who lost their first game say they are determined to correct their mistakes and grab the three points on Friday.
“We have really worked a lot these previous days, we know what it takes to win the game, and we are tactically ready. We don’t have Covid-19 issues in the team,” said coach Milovan Rajevac at a pre-match press conference in Yaounde.
Morocco v Comoros game (7pm) will precede Gabon v Ghana (10pm) at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium.
Friday fixtures (All times EAT)
Group B
Senegal v Guinea 4pm
Malawi v Zimbabwe 7pm
Group C
Morocco v Comoros 7pm
Gabon v Ghana 10pm BY DAILY NATION