Africa Cup of Nations predictions, standings, fixtures and results: Saturday 20 January 2024

Africa Cup of Nations predictions, standings, fixtures and results: Saturday 20 January 2024

Another bumper day at the Africa Cup of Nations sees three fixtures pack out a dramatic Saturday across Cote d’Ivoire.

A pair of Group D games see Algeria tackle early leaders Burkina Faso, before the contest between Mauritania and Angola.

Then the attention turns to Group E, when Tunisia and Mali meet with the former having it all to do with knockout qualification already on a knife-edge.

Afcon predictions and fixtures for 20 January

*All kick off times are in Central Africa Time.

Tunisia v Mali

Group D: Algeria vs Burkina Faso – 16.00

The second Saturday at the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off with a pivotal match between much-fancied Algeria and Burkina Faso in Cote d’Ivoire.

It’s the Burkinabe who hold the key in Group D, too, having won their opening game of the tournament against Mauritania on Tuesday.

But only just.

Bertrand Traore was the hero with a penalty in the 96th minute, sparing the blushes of his expectant nation, who have seen their side reach the semi-final in three of the last five Afcon events.

Algeria, despite being stacked with individual talent, once again flattered to deceive on the African stage.

Baghdad Bounedjah put them into a first half lead, but they were pegged back by the persistence of Angola, who then held out for a 1-1 draw.

It continued a grim theme for the north Africans, who were bundled out of the 2021 competition at the group stage.

Group D: Mauritania vs Angola – 19.00

Mauritania and Angola come into their Group D clash at the Africa Cup of Nations with plenty still to aim for, despite having just a point between them after the first round of pool fixtures in Cote d’Ivoire.

That potentially precious stalemate was a fine reward for the Angolan effort against hotshots Algeria last week.

Mabululu’s firmly struck second half penalty was enough to secure a surprise draw for the Black Sable Antelopes, who had earlier fallen behind to Baghdad Bounedjah’s 18th-minute opener.

It was a heartbreaking opening game for Mauritania, who clung on into second half injury time against Burkina Faso, before conceding a penalty that Bertrand Traore scored in the sixth minute of added on time.

But both nations can still dream – and will know the size of their task following the Algeria vs Burina Faso fixture earlier in the day.

Group E: Tunisia vs Mali – 22.00

Mali can seal knockout qualification at the Africa Cup of Nations at the first time of asking on Saturday, if they can do the business against Tunisia in Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday.

The Eagles had to grind it out for large spells against South Africa in their Group E opener.

But Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko both scored just after the hour mark to seal an ultimately routine win, after Percy Tau missed a first half penalty for Bafana Bafana.

Tunisia were stunned in their first assignment.

A flat performance from the Carthage Eagles met its just desserts when Deon Hotto headed home in the 88th minute to give minnows Namibia a priceless Afcon wins at the expense of the 2004 champions.