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Comoros winger Said Bakari hopes that the people of the small African island state will go “crazy” this week if they reach the Nations Cup final for the first time after hosting Togo.
“They went crazy after we beat Kenya last November so I expect more of the same if we make history,” said the Dutch winger.
“It is a wonderful feeling to represent a nation knowing that everyone, young and old, male and female, is looking forward to your success.”
Comoros debuted competitively in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup / Africa Cup of Nations and have steadily improved since suffering heavy defeats at home and away from Madagascar.
Egypt and the Comoros have eight points each with two Group G matchdays remaining between March 24-30, Kenya three and Togo is out of the race with just one.
A draw will ensure Comoros go to the 24-nation tournament in Cameroon next January, and even a loss would not prevent them from qualifying unless Kenya beat Egypt in Nairobi.
In the unlikely event of wins for Kenya and Togo, the two qualifiers will be decided early next week when Egypt host Comoros and Kenya play Togo.
Bakari is confident that there will be no distress for the Comoran fans: “Coach Amir (Abdou) has created a mentally strong and professional team. We will make it happen.”
Here, AFP Sport highlights five of the most attractive matches of matchday five, as the fight intensifies to join already qualified Algeria, Mali, Senegal and Tunisia and host Cameroon.
Comoros v Togo
The Comoros began their qualifying campaign with a surprising victory in Togo in October 2019 thanks to a goal from Faiz Selemani.
A draw with Egypt, seven-time African champions, and a draw and victory over Kenya followed, leaving them behind Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and his pharaohs only on goal difference.
Stability has been a key factor in the growth of the Southeast Africa team with Marseille-born Abdou in charge since 2014.
Gambia v Angola
The Gambia is another country hoping to qualify for the first time, although it cannot achieve the feat on matchday five without the help of Group D leaders Gabon.
If the Gambians beat bottom Angola at home and the Gabonese led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang beat the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Franceville, both countries will secure a place in Cameroon.
But if any of the home teams fail to rack up the maximum points, the two-time Nations Cup winner, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will come into play.
E. Guinea v. Tanzania
Equatorial Guinea automatically entered the 2012 (co-hosts) and 2015 (hosts) tournaments, but never made it to the Nations Cup through qualifying results.
That will change this week if they use home advantage to defeat Tanzania in a clash between second and third place in Group J.
The Equatorial Guineans are in a favorable position thanks to two victories over Libya with former West Ham United midfielder Pedro Obiang among the goals.
Zambia v Algeria
Clash 2012 African champion Zambia faces the humiliation of failing to qualify for three consecutive Nations Cup tournaments as it prepares to host fit champion Algeria.
The Algerians have won 16 matches and drawn six in all competitions since losing a 2019 Nations Cup qualifier in Benin and defeating the Zambians 5-0 when they met 16 months ago.
Riyad Mahrez-inspired Algeria have already qualified, leaving Zimbabwe (five points), Botswana (four) and Zambia (three) fighting for the other qualifying spot.
Ethiopia v Madagascar
Newcomers Madagascar were the surprise side of the 2019 Nations Cup in Egypt, surprising three-time champion Nigeria before exhaustion led to a quarter-final loss to Tunisia.
France’s Nicolas Dupuis coaches a team that is well placed for a second straight appearance, trailing Group K leaders Ivory Coast only on goal difference.
But Ethiopia, one point behind the leaders, is formidable at home, surprising the Ivorians with Shimelis Bekele as the match winner and shooting three unanswered goals to Niger.
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