Precisely 29 days to next year’s Total African Cup of Nations, host country Cameroon has named their 40-man provisional squad.

The 33rd edition will kick off on January 9 with the host and five-time winners Cameroon to open the showpiece against Burkina Faso, runners-up of 2013 AFCON, at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde.

Cameroon in Group A alongside Cape Verde, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso. The squad will be down-side to the official 28-man as per CAF increment of players due to potential Covid-19 cases.

The continental showpiece will return to the country of legends like Roger Milla, Samuel Eto’o and Patrick Mboma – for the first time since 1972, with 24 teams set to play 52 matches.

The five cities and six stadiums ready for the tournament are Olembe and Ahmadou Ahidjo stadiums in Yaoundé, the Japoma stadium in Douala, the Kouekong stadium in Bafoussam, the Roumdé Adjia stadium in Garoua and the Limbe Omnisports Stadium will host the event.

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Following the Desert Warriors of Algeria 1-1 draw against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday, they will take on Morocco in a North African derby quarter-final on Saturday.

Mohamed Tougai put Algeria ahead in the 20th minute through a deflected shot, but Amr El-Sulya draws parity in the 59th minute of the game from the penalty spot.

The draw against Egypt also means they are unbeaten in 38 international games in all competitions.

However, Egypt earned the right to take on the Jordanians after edging Algeria in Group D. Both were level on every metric except Fair Play points, with a couple of stoppage time yellow and red cards tipping the balance ever so slightly in the Pharaohs’ favour.

• The quarter-finals battle for the North African teams 

Tunisia takes on Oman at the Education City Stadium on Friday. On Saturday, Algeria will clash with Morocco in a north African derby at Al Thumama Stadium. The same day, the Pharaohs of Egypt will come face to face with Jordan at the Al Janoub Stadium.

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The North Africans will go toe to toe today in the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup final group match to seal the top spot in Group D at the Al Janoub Stadium.

The two sides share the same points, goal difference, goals scored and even fair play points. 

The victors will finish on top of the group, while a draw means that tie-breakers will be used to determine the group winners.

“Now, we need to rest and prepare to face Algeria. Both teams performed well. It is time to decide who will end up at the top of the group,” said Egypt, Carlos Queiroz after his team’s big victory on Saturday night against Sudan (5-0). 

In the first match, Egypt managed a 1-0 win over Lebanon Al Thumama Stadium, Mohamed Afsha scored the only goal. Their second was a 5-0 win over Sudan.

In the same group, Algeria thrashed Sudan 4-0 and won their second game 2-0 over Lebanon as they progressed to the quarter-final stage. 

The Desert Warriors are unbeaten in 37 international games tonight will be crucial to test in their unbeaten campaign.

According to coach Carlos Queiroz, the Pharaohs will have to go into the game without one of their most important players in Al Ahly attacking midfielder Mohamed Magdy Afsha.

In his pre-match interview, he confirmed that Afsha isn’t 100% fit due to a minor injury and prefers to sit him out for this game.

Morocco, Egypt and Algeria have secured their spots in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Arab Cup. 

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