Uganda, South Sudan face tricky away battles in AFCON 2023 qualifiers

Five teams from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) will be in action today in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 qualifiers.

CECAFA giants Uganda will face a tough Group F test away to 2019 AFCON champions and FIFA Arab Cup winners Algeria in a match slated to take place in Algiers.

Uganda’s head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has said facing a good team like Algeria will need lots of seriousness and concentration of his team. “We know what to expect against Algeria,” added the coach.

But Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi who said there is not small team in Africa these days has made it clear they will treat the match with a lot of  seriousness it deserves.

“We aspire to win and raise our heads again. Uganda haven’t conceded many goals, they are tough, look at their results and their journey,” added Belmadi.

South Sudan under new coach Cusin will also face a tough task against Gambia in a Group G qualifying match. The Gambia team reached the quarter final stage in the 2021 AFCON held in Cameroon early this year.

But Stefano Cusin says although Gambia has experienced players, his team is ready to raise to the occasion. “We have prepared well and the team is motivated to play well,” added Cusin.

Burundi will also play their first Group C qualifying match away against Namibia. The match will however be played in Johannesburg since CAF did not approve any Stadium in Namibia.

Belgian based striker Mbwana Ally Samatta will also lead Taifa Stars of Tanzania in a Group F away clash against Niger, while Sudan also play away to Mauritania in a Group I tie.

On Thursday Rwanda picked a 1-1 draw away to Mozambique in a Group L match played in Johannesburg. On Sunday Ethiopia will also play away to Malawi in a Group D qualifying tie