Algeria and Mali secure big pre-TotalEnergies CAF AFCON friendly victories
Some 24 teams scheduled to play at the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d’Ivoire, were engaged in friendly matches over the weekend to fine-tune their preparations for next week’s competition.
Algeria and Mali secured big wins to boost their confidence ahead of the tournament set to kick off on January 13 in Abidjan.
Each side carefully selected their friendly opponents to fine-tune their preparations, making the most of the opportunity to hone their skills before the highly anticipated continental showpiece.
Togo 0-3 Algeria
In a friendly match held in Lome, Algeria emerged victorious against Togo with a convincing 3-0 scoreline. The first half saw the Desert Foxes taking the lead with a goal from defender Rami Ben Sbaini. Islam Slimani, the all-time top scorer for the Algerian national team, doubled the lead in the second half. Ben Sbaini secured his second personal goal and the third for the Algerian team in the match. Algeria is set to play another friendly in Togo against Burundi on January 9 before heading to Bouake, where they will be based during the AFCON, 24 hours later.
Mali 6-2 Guinea-Bissau
Mali secured a resounding victory over Guinea-Bissau in a friendly match as part of their preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d’Ivoire 2023. The Eagles dominated with a 6-2 scoreline, with goals from Youssouf Niakate, Lassana Coulibaly, Kamory Doumbia, Sekou Niakate, Falaye Sacko, and Lassine Sinayoko. Guinea-Bissau managed to score twice through Mama Baldé and Carlos Mané.
DR Congo 0-0 Angola
The friendly encounter between DR Congo and Angola concluded with a goalless draw, emphasizing a solid defensive performance from both teams. Despite the absence of goals, the warm-up benefitted the Leopards and Palancas Negras in their final preparations for the upcoming tournament.
Burkina Faso 1-2 Iran
Burkina Faso opted to face an opponent from outside the continent, Iran, in a friendly match that ended with a 2-1 loss for The Stallions. Mohamed Konate scored for Burkina Faso in the 17th minute, but Iran staged a comeback, securing two goals for the victory.
Tunisia 0-0 Mauritania
Tunisia and Mauritania played to a goalless draw in a friendly match held in Tunisia as part of their preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d’Ivoire 2023. Coaches Jalal Kadri and Amir Abdou used the match for crucial preparations ahead of the continental football extravaganza. Still, neither side could find the net despite some exciting moments.
Rampant Cote d’Ivoire crush Sierra Leone in TotalEnergies CAF AFCON warm-up
Cote d’Ivoire warned their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations rivals by thrashing Sierra Leone 5-1 in Saturday’s friendly ahead of hosting the continental showpiece.
The Elephants put on an attacking masterclass to sweep aside the Leone Stars in San Pedro a week before the tournament.
Defender Ousmane Diomandé opened the scoring on 17 minutes, superbly teed up by Jeremie Boga from a free-kick.
Franck Kessie then lit up the Stade Laurent Pokou by rocketing an unstoppable volley into the top corner to make it 2-0 after 37 minutes.
Jonathan Bamba added a third for the rampant Ivorians just before the break, coolly rounding the goalkeeper to stroke home after an incisive team move.
Boga turned from provider to scorer early in the second period, exquisitely curling a free-kick beyond the despairing dive of Mohamed Kamara.
Substitute Lazare Amani grabbed Ivory Coast’s fifth late on before Rodney Strasser netted a consolation penalty for the overwhelmed Sierra Leoneans.
“This performance will give us great confidence for the tournament,” beamed Cote d’Ivoire boss Jean-Louis Gasset.
The imperious win sends an ominous message to Group A’s rivals Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.
