Preview of quarter-finals fixtures

After a slew of exciting games at the group stages of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

Burkina Faso Vs Tunisia (Saturday, January 28; 5:00 PM)

Group A winners Burkina Faso face Tunisia who finished second in Group B in Libreville.

Both teams have already played in Libreville with Burkina Faso playing twice and Tunisia just once.

Burkina Faso drew two games in the Group Stage before beating Guinea-Bissau 2-0 to go top of Group B. Tunisia qualified at the expense of pre-tournament favourites Algeria and Zimbabwe. They lost their opening game but won their remaining two.

Players to watch in this fixture

For Burkina Faso, Charles Kabore has been brilliant in midfield alongside Chelsea loanee Bertrand Traore.

Tunisia’s Wahbi Khazri has been the main man for the North African Country scoring in their 4-2 win over Zimbabwe.

Prediction

As in any quarter-final game, this is going to be a tight fixture but I have Tunisia to beat Burkina Faso, maybe in extra-time.

Senegal vs Cameroon (Saturday, January 28; 8:00 PM)

Group B winners, Senegal face Cameroon who finished runners up in Group A on in Franceville.

Senegal have been the best team in the AFCON 2017 winning their first two games before their draw against Algeria with a second string team. With six goals scored so far, the Aliou Cisse led team has shown that they don’t have a problem with scoring.

Cameroon impressed in the Group Stage despite having a number of their first team players withdrawing before the tournament. They were unlucky not to win their opening game against Burkina Faso but beat Guinea-Bissau before their draw against Host Gabon.

Players to watch in this tie

Senegal’s Sadio Mane has been arguably the player of the tournament with two goals to his name already From the wings, he is supported by Balde Keita. Mame Biram Diouf is also one to watch in attack.

Cameroon do not boast the same quality as Senegal but their captain Benjamin Moukandjo has his own unfront while Christian Bassogog has been their best player.

Prediction:

DR Congo vs Ghana (Sunday, January 29; 5:00 PM)

ALSO READ: Ghana sweat on Gyan's injur

Group C winners, DR Congo will face Groud D runners up, Ghana in Port Gentil, hopefully, the surface is in a better shape that it was when it last hosted a game in the Group Stage.

DR Congo have been the surprise team of the Group Stage finishing winners of a group that had Morocco, Ivory Coast and Togo. They beat Morocco and Togo in the Group Stage and drew Ivory Coast in between. Their attack have been good with a solid defence between them.

With Asamoah Gyan an injury concern, Ghana are left without one of their key players for the clash. Finalist in the last AFCON, the Black Stars have looked solid too. They, however, have a problem with scoring as they won their first two games courtesy of 1-0 wins.

Players to watch in this tie

Tournament highest goalscorer Junior Kabananga has been a standout player for Conge DR so far and Player of the Tournament at the last AFCON, Christian Atsu has been also impressive for Ghana. Andre Ayew also is one to keep an eye, having scored one goal already.

Prediction

Congo DR might take this one. They have a better team and Ghana have struggled to score goals. Congo Dr 2 Vs Ghana 1

Egypt vs Morocco (Sunday, January 29; 8:00 PM)

Group D winners Egypt take on North African rivals Morocco who finished in second place from Group C in Port Gentil.

Although Egypt finished to of Group D, they have not been convincing as expected. Their defence has, however, remain unbeaten with no goal conceded in their three games so far. The also look like a team that will get into gear as the tournament goes on.

Morocco who has the AFCON defending coach Herve Renard has won their last two games.

Players to watch in this tie.

Mohamed Salah already has a goal and assist in the tournament and remains Egypt brightest chance of a goal. Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal is also in charge in midfielder for Egypt and could be difficult to beat.

Morocco, however, have a better team but Mbark Boussoufa and Rachid Alioui who scored arguable the goal of the tournament against Ivory Coast are also players to watch.

ALSO READ: Morocco knock out defending champions

Prediction

Promises to be the most exciting game of the quarter-finals and as with any derby, it is hard to predict.

Egypt to win via a penalty shoot-out.