Several African heavyweights will be gearing up for the looming start of qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup when they participate in high-profile international friendlies spanning from Thursday 12 to Wednesday 18 October.
First up is Egypt, who will face Zambia at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in the UAE on Thursday evening. Pharaohs coach Rui Vitoria is using this match against Chipolopolo, and one against arch rivals Algeria on Monday, to fine tune ahead of the World Cup qualifiers and Africa Cup of Nations in early 2024.
“I may not seem like it, but all my life I have been an emotional person, and sometimes relationships with other people make me either satisfied or sad,” said the Portuguese coach. My conviction is that I came to Egypt to take on this challenge. I may win or I may lose, but I had the feeling and desire to take on the challenge.”
Thursday also sees Russia host Cameroon, as well as Algeria tackling Cape Verde, while Friday features Tunisia playing in Seoul against South Korea, South Africa hosting Eswatini in Johannesburg and Saudi Arabia facing Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the Municipal Stadium in Portimao, Portugal.
Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro showed his commitment by accepting a pay cut on his new contract with the federation, insisting that “me and my staff did everything in order to stay here to train these players and reach the big goal, win the Afcon title.”
Saturday and Sunday are headlined by Ivory Coast hosting Morocco in Abidjan, while Ghana will face Mexico in Charlotte in the United States – with Black Stars coach Chris Hughton dropping Andre Ayew and then dealing with an injury crisis which saw Tariq Lamptey, Daniel Amartey, Alexander Djiku, and Osman Bukari all forced to withdraw. Ghana will also play the US in a second friendly on the morning of Wednesday 18 October.
Monday features a high-profile clash between reigning African champions Senegal and Cameroon in Lens, France. The Teranga Lions have seen several of their key players head to Saudi Arabia to play club football, but centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly insists that this will not affect the national team.
“[Coach Aliou Cisse] He had no reservations, even though he had said in the past that he didn’t want players who played in those leagues,” explained Koulibaly.
“He’s changed his mind. As they say, only stupid people don’t change their minds. To be successful in the national team, you have to be successful in Saudi Arabia.
“We’ve got closer with Edou [Mendy], Habib [Diallo] and Sadio [Mané], and that’s going to strengthen our ties even more ahead of the Afcon.”
Tuesday sees Tunisia face Japan in Kobe, Mali will tackle Saudi Arabia in Portugal, and South Africa will test their readiness for a return to the Africa Cup of Nations next year when they face tournament hosts Ivory Coast at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
Selected African international friendlies
Times CAT
Thursday 12 October
18:00: Egypt v Zambia
18:00: Russia v Cameroon
21:00: Algeria v Cape Verde
Friday 13 October
13:00: Korea Republic v Tunisia
18:00: South Africa v Eswatini
18:00: Saudi Arabia v Nigeria
Saturday 14 October
19:00: Ivory Coast v Morocco
Sunday 15 October
02:30: Mexico v Ghana
Monday 16 October
17:00: Mozambique v Nigeria
18:00: Algeria v Egypt
20:30: Senegal v Cameroon
Tuesday 17 October
12:10: Japan v Tunisia
17:00: Saudi Arabia v Mali
21:00: Ivory Coast v South Africa
Wednesday 18 October
02:30: USA v Ghana
Source: SABC
In other news – She’s the only Mrs Maake kaNcube that I know and love’ – Sello addresses trouble in paradise claims
Well-known South African veteran actor Sello Maake kaNcube said there is no trouble in his paradise with his wife, Pearl.
Taking to his Instagram timeline on Monday, the actor shared snaps with his wife, saying she was the only woman he was married to. Read more
