Africa Cup of Nations 2013 Qualifying Preview Round-up

Twenty-eight teams will lock horns with each other during the weekend in the first round return leg of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying to leave out 14 teams to face the 16 sides which qualified for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in the second and final round of qualifying.

A number of the teams playing this weekend are fresh from the two 2014 World Cup qualifying matchdays played over the last two weeks.

Namibia – Liberia | Saturday, June 16 Venue: Windhoek


Fresh from a 1-0 win over Kenya last weekend in World Cup qualifying and a narrow one-goal away loss to Nigeria a week earlier, Namibia will endeavour to maintain the momentum against Saturday’s visitors Liberia in Windhoek to be able to offset their 1-0 deficit from the first leg played in Monrovia earlier in the year.

Cape Verde – Madagascar | Saturday, June 16 Venue:  Praia


After handing a 4-0 drubbing to Madagascar in the first leg played in Antananarivo, Cape Verde will have a lesser job at home in Praia on Saturday against the Barea and are almost certain of clinching their ticket to the next round.

Sierra Leone – Sao Tome e Principe | Saturday, June 16 Venue: Freetown

Sao Tome e Principe carried off the first leg at home with a 2-1 victory but will certainly face an uphill battle against Sierra Leone in the reverse fixture in Freetown, as the hosts have vowed to do anything possible to surmount the visitors and step into the next round of the qualifiers.

Uganda – Congo | Saturday, June 16 Venue: Kampala   

Congo are a step away from reaching the next stage of the qualifying after taking Uganda apart 3-1 in the first leg played in Pointe Noire last February, however, the Cranes still have a chance but must level the visitors’ lead early in the clash if they are to expect an aggregate victory.