28.01. (Mon) 18:00 Niger - Ghana

PROBABLE LINEUPS

GHANA
Dauda
Paintsil, Vorsah, Boye, Afful
Annan, Badu
Adomah, Atsu, Rabiu,
Gyan

NIGER
Daouda
Fatoukouma, Dankowa, Chikoto, Koudize
Issoufou, Moutari, Lacina, Boubacar
Maazou, Sidibe
The Black Stars of Ghana will play against the Mena of Niger as part of the last fixtures in Group B on Monday.

The Nigeriens are participating in only their second Nations Cup tournament after a maiden appearance in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea last year. They picked up their first and only point in the tournament on Thursday night in a goalless draw against DR Congo.

Identified by pundits as the weakest team in the group, they are currently on the bottom of the log with a point, no goal and a goal conceded. Despite this, they are mathematically still very much in with a chance of qualifying, and will be hoping to chalk their first ever Nations Cup win.

The Black Stars on the other hand recovered from an opening day setback (a 2-2 draw with DR Congo) to record a narrow 1-0 win over Mali on Thursday. The Black Stars currently lie top of the log with three goals and two conceded. Tipped by many not only as favourites to win the group but the tournament as a whole, the Ghanaians will go into the game as the side under pressure, especially given that the group in now wide open, and every team is in with a genuine shot at qualification.

Ghana might miss the services of midfielder Anthony Annan and Striker Richmond Boakye-Yiadom, both recovering from injuries. Winger Mubarak Wakaso is on suspension for receiving two yellow cards in the first two games. Even though skipper Asamoah Gyan sat out Friday morning's training, he is expected to be fit for the game.

Both teams have met nine times overall, with Ghana winning on eight occasions, the remaining game finishing in a 2-2 draw in February 1982. Ghana have scored a whopping 34 goals against the Nigeriens in their nine meetings (including 16 goals in only their first two meetings in 1969), while they (Niger) have only managed four goals against the Black Stars.

The match will be both teams' first ever meeting in the Nations Cup.

DID YOU KNOW?

The first ever game between the two sides ended 6-0 in favour of Ghana in Accra back in 1969.

The return fixture in Niamey, which Ghana won 9-1, is Niger's biggest loss at home to date.

The last time they met was in 1994 in Niamey, Niger's capital. Ghana won 5-1.
This is Niger’s third major Caf tournament participation in a row - 2011 Chan, 2012 and 2013 Afcon editions.

Niger are making their second appearance at the tournament after first qualifying in 2012 in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

The Black Stars of Ghana have qualified for the last two World Cups, in 2010 and 2006.

Prediction
It is going to be one of the toughest games of the group stage, but expect Ghana to pick up the three points, despite the fact that the Black Stars have put up a below par performance in their first two games.
Editor's Prediction
Niger 0-2 Ghana

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27.01. (Sun) 21:00 Paris Saint Germain - Lille Metropole

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Sirigu
Jallet, Camara, Sakho, Maxwell
Lucas Moura, Matuidi, Verratti, Pastore
Ibrahimovic, Lavezzi

LILLE
Elana
Beria, Basa, Chedjou, Digne
Mavuba, Balmont, Pedretti
Martin, Payet
Roux

Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to welcome back Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was suspended for Wednesday's 3-1 Coupe de France win over Toulouse on Wednesday.

Kevin Gameiro started alongside Ezequiel Lavezzi that night, but Ancelotti will likely pump for the latter to start with the returning Swede. Marco Verratti should keep his place in midfield ahead of Clement Chantome in midfield.

Thiago Silva remains injured, with Alex uncertain to start on Sunday. Replacing the duo could be fourth-choice Zoumana Camara, with Sylvain Armand picking up a few niggles in Wednesday's cup win.

Lille coach Rudi Garcia is split between his usual 4-3-3 formation or switching to 4-4-2 as was the case in the 3-1 win over amateurs Plabennec on Thursday.

Nolan Roux is expected to lead the line, with Dimitri Payet and Marvin Martin providing the ammunition behind him. Otherwise, there are no major injury woes for Garcia to mull over.

Salomon Kalou, Ryan Mendes, Mohamed Sissoko and Siaka Tiene are away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

DID YOU KNOW?

Paris Saint-Germain sit can move top of Ligue 1 on goal difference with victory here.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic tops the Ligue 1 scoring charts on 20 league goals, two fewer than last season's joint-top scorers Olivier Giroud and Nene. However, he only has six at home this season.
Salvatore Sirigu has not conceded a league goal for PSG since the 2-1 defeat to Nice on 1 December - a total of 686 minutes.
Lille sit in 10th place in Ligue 1 after their shock 2-0 home defeat against Nice.
Rudi Garcia's side have just one win in their last ten league games on the road. They have two away wins in Ligue 1 all season.
Les Dogues have not won a league game away at the Parc des Princes since 1996.
Both Lille's Grand Stade Lille Metropole and PSG's Parc des Princes were shortlisted as the ten venues for Euro 2016 on Friday.

Prediction
Les Parisiens have arguably much more quality than Lille, have lost Mickael Landreau and Mathieu Debuchy since their last meeting in September. Rudi Garcia's away-day troubles have long been evident, and it is likely that they won't pose too much of a threat on Sunday.
Editor's Prediction
PSG 2-0 Lille

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27.01. (Sun) 19:00 Barcelona - Osasuna

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BARCELONA
Valdes
Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Adriano
Thiago, Busquets, Fabregas
Pedro, Messi, Sanchez

OSASUNA
Andres
Bertran, Ruben, Arribas, Nano
Lolo, Oier
Cejudo, Nino, Armenteros
Sola

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi pulled out of training on Friday with a muscle strain but is nevertheless expected to feature in the Primera Division encounter against Osasuna.

Defender Gerard Pique is suspended, while assistant coach Jordi Roura could opt to rotate his squad for the Camp Nou clash with one eye on Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Real Madrid.

Osasuna boss Jose Luis Mendilibar may hand a debut to midfielder Francisco Silva, who was signed from Chilean side Universidad Catolica earlier in the week.

Asier Riesgo, David Timor and Sisi are all unavailable through injury, while left-back Damia serves a one-match ban.

DID YOU KNOW?

Barcelona have won their last five home Liga matches with an aggregate score of 19-4.
The Catalans hit their 100th goal of the season in the 4-2 win at Malaga in midweek, with Lionel Messi accounting for 40 of those strikes.
Barcelona have never lost a match in which Andres Iniesta has scored (W40, D4).
Osasuna have won just one of their last eight matches in all competitions (W1, D2, L5).
Los Rojillos have lost on their last four visits to Camp Nou at an aggregate score of 0-16.
Osasuna's last win away at Barcelona was a 1-0 success in May 2009.

Prediction
This should be an easy home win for Barcelona, who will be keen to produce a response after last weekend's surprise defeat at Real Sociedad. Osasuna have picked up just five points on their travels this season and will do well to keep the hosts at bay.
Editor's Prediction
Barcelona 3-0 Osasuna

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27.01. (Sun) 18:00 Morocco - South Africa

PROBABLE LINEUPS

SOUTH AFRICA
Khune
Masilela, Khumalo, Sangweni, Ngcongca
Phala, Furman, Mahlangu, Tshabalala
Mphela, Parker

MOROCCO
Lamyaghri
Chakir, Bergdich, Benatia, El Adoua
Abdel, El Ahmadi, Belhanda
Assaidi, El Hamdaoui, Amrabat

South Africa enter into their final Group A clash against Morocco brimming with their confidence after their inspired performance against Angola, which has left them top of Group A with four points.
The hosts will have to deal with a few injury concerns before the match, as striker Lehlohonolo Majoro will not be fit for the tie after being helped off the pitch on Wednesday.

Tokelo Rantie has a question mark placed on his head as he picked up a knock in training, while injured pair Kagisho Dikgacoi and Lerato Chabangu were seen doing light training in Durban on Thursday. This would mean South Africa go into the game with only two recognised strikers in their squad, with Katlego Mphela and Bernard Parker leading the line of attack.

Gordon Igesund is wary of Morocco before the tie and is encouraging his players to focus on the present and the match ahead.

"We know what we need to do on Sunday. We can't continue living in the past. We must start celebrating once we qualify for the quarter-finals," he told reporters.

"We won our second game, but we really can't get carried away with that. One win is not going to qualify us. We know what have to do next. We have a tough match against a strong Morocco side and we need to win that one.”

The hosts will target a victory against the side deemed to be the strongest in the group, but Morocco have failed to light up the tournament with draws against Angola and Cape Verde and may fear the renewed vigour and confidence displayed by Bafana Bafana in their win over the Palanacas Negras.

Rachid Taoussi will need to make some changes in order to help his side unleash their attacking potential with players such as Assaidi and El Hamadaoui yet to fire.

Taoussi may be regretting leaving Adel Taabart and Maraoune Chamkah out of his squad, as the side has looked rather toothless in attack, with only a single goal being scored in the tournament by El Arabi, which was the priceless equaliser against Cape Verde.

However the team will want to prove that they can do well without the likes of Taarabt, by beating a host nation which looked unstoppable against Angola.

Many South Africans feared the tie against Morocco, but it seems the tables have turned as suddenly the Atlas Lions could be deemed as the underdogs on Sunday night.

DID YOU KNOW?

South Africa and Morocco have played on three occasions with Bafana Bafana holding a slight advantage over their opponents with two wins and a draw the final results.

The last time the two sides met was in 2004 in Tunisia and the final score was a 1-1 draw.

Morocco has not qualified for the second round of the Africa Cup of Nations since 2004, when Badou Zaki was coach of the side.

South Africa’s two goals against Angola were their first goals of 2013.

South Africa has not reached the knock-out round of the Africa Cup of Nations since 2002.

Gordon Igesund is aiming to win the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil for the second time in South Africa's history.

Prediction
Bafana Bafana have shown that they are capable of scoring goals, and have enjoyed clean sheets in both of their matches, so a narrow victory could be on the cards for the hosts.
Editor's Prediction
Morocco 0-1 South Africa

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27.01. (Sun) 18:00 Cape Verde Islands - Angola

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CAPE VERDE
Vonzinha
Varela, Nando, Gege, Nivaldo
Babanco Platini, Varela, Soares
Mendes, Tavares

ANGOLA
Lama
Amaro, Massunguna, Zuela, Miguel
Djelma, Kivuvu, Dede, Gilberto
Mateus, Manucho

Cape Verde have come close to beating South Africa and Morocco during their opening two games of the tournament and will be considered favourites against a stuttering Angolan side on Sunday. However, the Islanders will have to keep a close eye on proceedings in Durban where South Africa only needs a draw or a win. Morocco needs to conquer the Afcon hosts in order to qualify for the quarter-finals.
The Islanders were able to dominate Morocco in the first half of their previous game but faltered under the pressure in the second, allowing the Atlas Lions a chance to secure a vital draw.

Lucio Antune’s men will believe that they can fight for a victory against Angola, which should give them a chance to progress into the next round, but only if South Africa defeats Morocco or the hosts lose in Durban.

He has stated that he feels his players have the ability to beat any side in the world, a claim which should inspire the team to topple Angola on Sunday evening.

Neither side has voiced any injury concerns on the eve of the match, with Angola’s midfield maestro Djalma Campos rearing to start in the crunch tie. The impressive form of Cape Verde’s Ryan Mendes will be counted on by the Islanders, while Manucho will target the game as his chance to open his account for the tournament.

Angola’s loss against South Africa has made their progression into the quarter finals an unlikely event, as they will need South Africa to draw against Morocco and will need to beat a tough and determined Cape Verde outfit.

Their toothless display against Bafana Bafana will need to be improved on if they are to stand any chance of matching Cape Verde’s hard running style of football. Angola’s misfiring midfield was dominated by South Africa’s combination of Dean Furman and May Mahlangu. The Palancas Negras will target a better performance in the middle of the park, led by Pirolito, Campos and co.

Even if they are able to defeat Cape Verde, the Angolan side side may not qualify for the knock-out rounds of the tournament. If Morocco defeats South Africa, Angola will be on equal points with the hosts but will not qualify due to their loss in the previous game.

Permutations aside, this should be an intriguing match with both teams looking to attack throughout the 90 minutes.

DID YOU KNOW?

Cape Verde and Angola have played each other on three occasions before this match.
Cape Verde have not lost against the Angolans and have secured two wins and a draw against the Palancas Negras.
Angola's Manucho is their top scorer in the 23-man squad, after netting 21 times in 38 appearances for his country.
Cape Verde coach Lucio Antunes met with Jose Mourinho to discuss tactis with the "Special One" before the Afcon kicked off.
Angola's best showing in Africa's football showpiece was a quarter-final berth during the 2008 and 2010 editions of the tournament.
The two teams were supposed to play a friendly in 2012, but the match was cancelled.

Prediction
Cape Verde have shown that they are capable of scoring goals and should be strong enough to beat Angola on Sunday night. Whether or not they qualify remains to be seen.
Editor's Prediction
Cape Verde 1-0 Angola

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