UCL Matchday 5: Lyon's African cast set to slow Man City's momentum

“All of Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Traore, Mousa Dembele of Malian descent, Fekir of Algerian descent, Ndombele of Congolese heritage, Ivory Coast’s Maxwell Cornet and the inform Dutch forward in Memphis Depay will all be options available to take the game to City.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Manchester City’s first and only defeat in the 2018/19 football season came against Olympique Lyonnais back in September at the Etihad. It was an opening group match of the UEFA Champions League campaign where Nabil Fekir, Ivory Coast’s Maxwell Cornet and Memphis Depay were at the centre of proceedings as the Ligue 1 outfit registered an impressive unlikely victory. It’s on again, Pep Guardiola’s City have a chance to exact some revenge or to be humbled once more as they take flight to France on Tuesday.

Maxwell Cornet of Lyon celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with his team mates during the Group F match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester City and Olympique Lyonnais at Etihad Stadium on September 19, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 18, 2018 - Source: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Europe)

The notion of Manchester City assuming the status of Europe’s most deadly team is not so far fetched now. After a record breaking title winning premier league season last year, they look to be continuing from where they left from. It’s difficult to find any other club in Europe’s top leagues that has been equally as impressive. Of course Lyon’s league mates in PSG are still spotless but then you would have to consider the context. It is matches like the loss against Lyon or the one against Liverpool in the UCL quarter-finals last season that cast some doubts on Manchester City as a whole and their standing amongst Europe’s elite clubs. If there are matches that are more important to Manchester City and their continued successes, it’s such a continental match against Lyon that they have proven to easily lose in recent times. They will be heading into this one fully aware of the need to tighten their grip on so called lesser teams.

On the other hand, second placed Lyon, both in the champions league group F and on the French Ligue 1 standings will be a tough opposition. They may be far off the pace from PSG in the domestic league but are still yet to lose a game in the UCL this campaign. They are three points off City and face convincing opposition from Hoffenheim who also look keen on the champions league knockout spots. Of major interest, will be Lyon’s African blended attacking setup that proved to be a difficult presentation for City in the last time out. All of Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Traore, Mousa Dembele of Malian descent, Fekir of Algerian descent, Ndombele of Congolese heritage, Ivory Coast’s Maxwell Cornet and the inform Dutch forward in Memphis Depay will all be options available to take the game to City.

It’s a must watch, loads of fun on show and ofcourse, we will be closely following it.

2019 AFCON Qualifiers: Zambia out, Mauritania in, Ghana revived & complete round-up

Perhaps the biggest piece of news coming out from the 2019 AFCON qualifiers matchday 5 is that the 2012 champions, Zambia, are out of contention. But there is more, a whole lot more.

Algeria's forward Riyad Mahrez (C) celebrates with Algeria's midfielder Yacine Brahimi (R) and Algeria's forward Islam Slimani after scoring a second goal during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Algeria and Zimbabwe in Franceville on January 15, 2017. / AFP / KHALED DESOUKI

(Jan. 14, 2017 - Source: AFP)

Morocco 2 - 0 Cameroon

The Lions of the Atlas tamed the Indomitable Lions in Casablanca courtesy of two super goals by the inform, Hakim Ziyech. Firstly from the penalty spot and then a super sweeper shot from outside the box to once again beat his Ajax Amsterdam teammate, Andre Onana. Even before the victory, Morocco had joined Cameroon among the list of the qualified teams after Comoros beat Malawi 2-1.

Mauritania 2 - 1 Botswana

Madagascar will not be the only debutants at the June 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals scheduled to take place in Cameroon. The high flying Al-Murabitun secured their first ever qualification in AFCON history after dismissing the Zebras of Botswana. The 2013 finalists, Burkina Faso and Angola will have to battle it out for the next qualification place in the group, counting on favors from others.

Mozambique 1 - 0 Zambia

Chipolopolo’s worst nightmare invited itself into their home as the 2012 Champions bowed out of the tournament at the hands of Mozambique, who narrowly edged them 1-0 in Maputo. Namibia is powering up a rare AFCON appearance but will have to go past the dejected Copper Bullets to realise their dream.

Seychelles 1 - 8 Libya

The Mediterranean Knights made lightwork of the Islanders away from home to send a message to Bafana Bafana. Libya will have to beat South Africa in the final group game at home to qualify for the finals. It’s obviously easier said than done.

Liberia 1 - 0 Zimbabwe

Uganda supporters cheer ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Egypt and Uganda in Port-Gentil on January 21, 2017. / AFP / Justin TALLIS

(Jan. 20, 2017 - Source: AFP)

The Warriors of Zimbabwe gave President Weah’s nation a lifeline after conceding a late goal that suspended their qualification to matchday 6. The group is as close as they can be with all the four teams on 5, 6, 7 and 8 points. Only two of DR Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Liberia and Zimbabwe will qualify for the 24-team tournament.

Ethiopia 0 - 2 Ghana

Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew grabbed a brace as the Black Stars of Ghana returned to continental football as well as to winning ways. With Sierra Leone still suspended, its almost impossible for Ghana not to qualify right now. They will play first placed Kenya in March 2019.

Gabon 0 - 1 Mali

The Eagles of Mali left Gabon in a precarious position after the narrow defeat as they booked their spot at the finals. Burundi’s 5-2 win over South Sudan mean that they need only a point to qualify when they meet Gabon on matchday 6. Gabon were without Arsenal starman, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Togo 1 - 4 Algeria

Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez bagged a brace as the Desert Foxes booked their own spot after bullying Togo away from home.

Guinea 1 - 1 Ivory Coast

The battle of the West African heavy weights ended in a stalemate, with a point apiece enough to send both through to the finals.

Uganda 1 - 0 Cape Verde

Jordan Ayew of Ghana controls the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Ghana and the United States at Estadio das Dunas on June 16, 2014 in Natal, Brazil.

(June 15, 2014 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images South America)

The Cranes of Uganda sealed qualification in the easiest of fashion after beating the Islanders 1-0 at home. The Cranes are still unbeaten and the only team yet to concede a goal so far in this tournament.

Egypt 3 - 2 Tunisia

In a “dead rubber” North African contest were both nations had already sealed qualification from matchday 4, the Pharaohs got their revenge. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah scored the winner in the dying minutes of the match.

Here is a complete list of all the qualified teams

1. Cameroon

2. Mali

3. Guinea

4. Ivory Coast

5. Algeria

6. Uganda

7. Mauritania

8. Senegal

9. Madagascar

10. Nigeria

11. Egypt

12. Tunisia

13. Ivory Coast

How are your heroes faring?

2019 AFCON Qualifiers: Ghana resume campaign, North African derby, Zambia must win & more

Okay fine, the 2019 AFCON qualifiers have been fun but almost dragging at the same time. From the get go, we all have been eager to find out who the 24 finalists will be for the June 2019 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to be held in Cameroon. As matchday 5 of 6 comes to our screens from Friday the 16th November all through the entire weekend, it’s inevitable that a couple more nations could be confirm their booking for the finals. It obviously goes both ways, many will have their hopes and dreams crushed as well. Here is a pick of the weekend matchups you don’t want to miss.

Itumeleng Khune, goal keeper of South Africa, makes a save during the 2013 African Cup of Nations Quarter-Final match between South Africa and Mali at Moses Mahbida Stadium on February 02, 2013 in Durban, South Africa.

(Feb. 1, 2013 - Source: Steve Haag/Getty Images Europe)

Egypt vs Tunisia (Friday, 16 November 2018)

Both the Pharaohs and the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia already booked early tickets to the 2019 Cameroon finals after seeing off the kingdom of eSwatini and Niger in group J. Typically, this match would be what they call a dead rubber, but not this time, especially not for the North Africans. Tunisia won the bragging rights in the first leg and Mo Salah together with his teammates will surely turn up to restore pride and fight for the elusive top spot in the group.

South Africa vs Nigeria (Saturday, 17 November 2018)

You guessed right, we couldn’t miss mentioning this one. Arguably the most anticipated match of the weekend where everything is at stake in group E. All of Nigeria, South Africa and Libya are still pretty much in the running for only two spots to qualify for the finals. Bafana are yet to concede a goal so far in this tournament and welcome the free-scoring Super Eagles who missed out on the 2017 AFCON finals in Gabon. With a point separating the two and a defeat giving more hope to third placed Libya, no one will be planning to lose this one. Boosted by the return of controversial Thulani Serero, Bafana are clearly not entertaining the idea of losing at home and with the qualifiers’ top scorer, Odion Ighalo, among the visitors - they will have to do what it takes to avoid home and away defeats at the hands the Southern African boys.

Ghana's forward Andre Ayew (L) celebrates with Ghana's midfielder Mubarak Wakaso and Ghana's forward Asamoah Gyan (R) after scoring a goal during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Ghana and Uganda in Port-Gentil on January 17, 2017. / AFP / Justin TALLIS

(Jan. 16, 2017 - Source: AFP)

Morocco vs Cameroon (Saturday, 17 November 2018)

There are matches you just cannot afford to ignore and the above encounter is such a one. Cameroon have already qualified by virtue of being hosts and visit second-placed Lions of the Atlas who still have to ward off convincing interest from third placed Malawi who visit Comoros. When two such highly rated nations meet; blood, sweat and tears are obviously shed. The Dutch Eredivisie’s best player, Hakim Ziyech will be on show in his Moroccan colors to welcome Clarence Seedorf’s Indomitable Lions.

Ethiopia vs Ghana (Sunday, 18 November 2018)

The AFCON 2017 semi-finalists find themselves on the back foot, off the qualifying places with only two matches remaining. The Blacks Stars are in this position as a result of suffering a shock defeat in Kenya and having their third and fourth matches postponed by reason of their opponent, Sierra Leone’s ban by CAF. Their fixtures against Sierra Leone could be reinstated but in the short-term, they will have to beat second placed Ethiopia in Addis Ababa to avoid missing out on the tournament finals for what would be the second time since 1992.

The Morocco players pose for a team photo prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Spain and Morocco at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 25, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia.

(June 24, 2018 - Source: Francois Nel/Getty Images Europe)

Mozambique vs Zambia (Sunday, 18 November 2018)

Now, the permutations of group K are super interesting. The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions, Zambia, are sitting not so pretty on the foot of the table, three points behind first and second placed, Guinea-Bissau and Namibia respectively. The Brave Warriors of Namibia who have appeared only twice in the history of the tournament are so close to a rare third appearance and will obviously mount a stronghold when they welcome first placed Guinea-Bissau on Saturday. Justin Shonga’s Zambia will have just to win all their remaining matches beginning with a tricky tie away at third placed Os Mambas of Mozambique. Of all teams in this group, I kid you not, the Zambian fans are not prepared to sit out an AFCON - the fight is obviously on.

Which match will you be watching and how are the chances looking like for your favorite team? Here is the full list of the fixtures.