Key games as African sides warm-up for battles ahead

African countries have no competitive internationals in the October window but many of them are using the opportunity to get ready for key dates ahead.

All the continent’s top teams are in action over the following six days preparing for next month’s kick off of the World Cup qualifiers plus the Africa Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast in January.

The last of the qualifying matches for that tournament, which runs from January 13 to February 11, is played in Agadir on Tuesday when Morocco host Liberia. It was postpone last month after the horror earthquake that killed thousands in Morocco.

Portugal plays host to variety of friendlies involving not only former colonies like Angola, Guinea Bissau and Mozambique but also Nigeria’s Super Eagles, whose coach Jose Peserio is Portuguese.

Nigeria take on Saudi Arabia on Friday in Portimao and then the Mambas of Mozambique on Monday.

Egypt have a full squad, including Mohamed Salah, for their two friendlies in Abu Dhabi, first against Zambia on Thursday and then Algeria on Monday.

Cameroon are in Moscow on Thursday to offer Russia, banned from Fifa competition, a rare interview. After that, the Indomitable Lions fly to France where they will meet reigning African champions Seneghal in Lens on Monday.

Ghana’s Black Stars are doing the most traveling. They have flown across the Atlantic to North Carollina to meet Mexio and after that go to Nashville to meet the U.S

AFRICAN INTERNATIONALS THIS MONTH:

Thursday October 12

Russia v Cameroon, Moscow

Algeria v Cape Verde Islands, Constantine

Egypt v Zambia, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Friday October 13

South Korea v Tunisia, Suwon

DR Congo v New Zealand, Murcia, Spain

Nigeria v Saudi Arabia, Portimao, Portugal

South Africa v Eswatini, Soccer City

Guinea v Gabon, Parchal, Portugal

Mali v Uganda, Bamako