Africa Cup of Nations

IVORY COAST are taking on Sierra Leone as they look to book their place in the AFCON last 16.Wilfried Zaha and co picked up a big 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in their opening match, to leave them top of the group.
But Sierra Leone earned an impressive 0-0 draw against champions Algeria and will feel they have a chance of reaching the last 16 themselves.

Kick-off time: 4pm GMT
TV channel: Sky Sports Football
Live stream: Sky Sports website/Sky Sports app/Sky Go/Now TV
Ivory Coast XI: Sangare, Aurier, Bailly, Deli, Konan, Sangare, Seri, Kessi, Haller, Zaha, Pepe.
Sierra Leone XI: M Kamara, Wright, Caulker, Bangura, Kakay, Quee, C Kamara, Bundu, K Kamara, Buya Turay, N Kamara.

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Ivory Coast 0 Sierra Leone 0
4. Zaha is bundled to the ground after beating his man out wide.
Ivory Coast free-kick just on the corner of the box.
Danger for Sierra Leone early on here.
Ivory Coast 0 Sierra Leone 0
2. Great trickery by Zaha, beating two in the box before going to ground.
No claims by Zaha for anything there.
Replays show the Palace man was anticipating contact that never came.
Ivory Coast 0 Sierra Leone 0
1. Sierra Leone get us underway here.
Big shoutout to their manager, John Keister, for only choosing to play three of the five Kamara’s at his disposal.
Subs:
Kamara, Fofanah, Williams, Kaikai, Kamara, Kargbo, Dunia, Sesay, Mansaray, Kallon, Caulker, Dumbuya
Sierra Leone team:
Nbalie Kamara, Kakay, Bangura, Caulker, Wright, Quee, Kamara, Bundu, Kamara, Buya Turay, Kamara
Subs:
Tape, Konate, Kanon, Kossounou, Kouassi, Cornet, Maiga, Gradel, Die, Kouame, Traore, Cisse
Ivory Coast team:
Sangare, Aurier, Bailly, Deli, Konan, Sangare, Seri, Kessie, Zaha, Haller, Pepe.
Familiar face
One Sierra Leone player many will recognise is centre-back Steven Caulker.
Played for a host of clubs including QPR, Cardiff City, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Caulker was even capped once by England at full-international.
Day of rest
When it comes to group formats, getting your business done with games to spare is a big advantage.
The potential for Ivory Coast to be able to rest key players in their next game with a win today against Sierra Leone is huge.
It would make them a real threat to face in the next round.
Two-time champions
‘Les Elephants’ have won the tournament twice, in 1992 and 2015.
Both times they played Ghana, both times it ended 0-0 AET.
The finals were decided 11-10 and 9-8 on penalties.
A tale of two pens
In Group F, Gambia have drawn with Mali 1-1.
Both goals came from the penalty spot in a frantic last eleven minutes.
It leaves both sides tied at the top on four points.
Third time is the charm
Appearing in their third AFCON tournament, Sierra Leone frustrated the defending champions Algeria in their opening game.
The ‘Leone Stars’ have never progressed passed the group phase.
A win today and Sierra Leone will go into their final group game against Equatorial Guinea knowing what they need to do to progress.
Coasting it
Ivory Coast could seal qualification with a win today.
Having played Sierra Leone seven times before, ‘Les Elephants’ have won six of these encounters, the other being a goalless draw.
Welcome back AFCON fans
The tournament heats up with every game now with teams able to book their place in the knockout phase.
You can still change your fortunes after a disappointing opening game as Egypt showed us yesterday thanks to a Mohammed Salah goal.
Today, our focus is Ivory Coast vs Sierra Leone
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NIGERIA are looking to book their place in the AFCON knockout stages as they face Sudan.A wonderstrike from Kelechi Iheanacho gave the Super Eagles a 1-0 victory over Mo Salah and Egypt in their opening match.
Meanwhile Sudan played out a goalless draw with Guinea-Bissau in their opener, as goalkeeper Ali Abu Eshrein made a crucial penalty save.

Kick-off time: 4pm
TV channel: Sky Sports Football (from 5.15pm)
Live stream: Sky Sports website/Sky Sports app/Sky Go/Now TV (from 5.15pm)
Nigeria XI: Okoye, Aina, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Zaidu, Chukweueze, Aribo, Ndidi, Simon, Awoniyi, Iheanacho.
Sudan XI: Abu-Eshrein, Mazin, Mustafa, Nemer, Mustafa Elfadni, Al Rasheed, Walieldin Khidir, Abbas Omer, Hamed, Omer, Eisa.

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4. Nigeria 1-0 Sudan
What a start!
The ball is sent into the penalty area and falls to Chukwueze who slots it into the bottom corner.
Poor defending from Sudan, but a great start for Nigeria.
3. GOOOAAAALLLLLLL NIGERIA!!!!
Chukwueze puts the Super Eagles ahead within the opening three minutes!
Kick Off
We’re underway at the Roumde Adjia Stadium!
The teams are out
The teams have entered the pitch.
The National Anthems have been sung.
Kick off is moments away!
Elsewhere in AFCON today
There is only one other game in the Africa Cup of Nations today.
Guinea-Bissau take on Egypt this evening at 7pm in another group D clash.
Super Eagles flying high
Nigeria could book their place in the knockout stages with a win over Sudan today.
Head coach Augustin Eguavoen has said that his team are not focussing on anything other than this fixture:
“We are completely focused on our match against Sudan. Beating Egypt was not easy, and we are looking forward to continuing our victories and qualifying for the next round.”
Sudan Substitutes
Mohamed Kesra Hakeem, Elsadig Hassan, Amjed Ismael Ahmed Ismail, Mohamed Abdallah Hussein, Ishag Adam, Sharif Omar Abdalla Makki, Dhiya Mahjoub, Suliman Zakaria Abakar, Algozoli Hussein Nooh Mohamed, Mohamed Mustafa, Captain Basheer Aldkhn, Moaiad Abdeen Maki.
Sudan start in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Nigeria substitutes
Semi Ajayi, Ahmed Musa, Frank Onyeka, Henry Onyekuru, Chidera Ejuke, Daniel Akpeyi, Alex Iwobi, Tyronne Ebuehi, Francis Uzuho, Umar Sadiq, Kelechi Nwakali, Olisa Ndah.
The Super Eagles are set to start in a 4-2-2-2 formation.
Sudan starting line-up
Ali Abu Eshrein starts in goal with Mustafa Saeed, Salahedin Nemer, Mustafa Mohamed and Mustafa Karshoum in defence.
Walieldin Khedr, Mohamed Al Rashed, Abdelrazig Omer, Yasin Hamed and Gumaa Omer make up the midfield
Musab Ahmed leads the line.
Nigeria starting line-up
Maduka Okoye starts in goal with Zaidu Sanusi, Kenneth Omeruo, William Ekong and Ola Aina in defence.
Wilfred Ndidi starts in the holding midfield position with Joe Aribo and Kelechi Iheanacho just in front.
Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi and Samuel Chukwueze form the attack.
Head to head
Nigeria have recorded eight wins in 14 appearances against Sudan.
Sudan have won twice.
There have been four draws between the two sides.
Sudan team news
Sudan failed to score in their opening game against Guinea-Bissau so it would not be surprising to see a slight change in the attacking line-up.
They currently have no reported injury issues.
Credit: AFP
Nigeria team news
Nigeria will be without Kenneth Omeruo, who was stretchered off in the last game against Egypt on Tuesday.
Kelechi Iheanacho is expected to star after scoring the decisive goal in the Super Eagles’ victory over Egypt.
Credit: EPA
Welcome to Nigeria vs Sudan
Good afternoon and welcome to SunSport’s coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations clash between Nigeria and Sudan.
After one game Nigeria sit at the top of the group with three points.
Sudan sit third in the group with one point.
Both teams are still very much in contention for a place in the knockout stages.
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GABON put themselves on the verge of the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final ahead of the return of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.The former Arsenal skipper missed out with minor heart problems following his recovery from Covid.
And Ghana looked like they might benefit from Aubameyang’s absence in the first half when Andre Ayew fired in a brilliant strike to give them the lead.
But with three minutes left, Jim Allevinah drove the ball into the bottom corner to give Gabon a crucial point.
The drama didn’t finish there however, with Andre Ayew and the Ghana team appearing to erupt in fury at the Gabon coach after the final whistle.
That result in a brawl in which Ghana’s Benjamin Tetteh appeared to punch a Gabon player then retreat down the tunnel.
The Algerian referee then flashed a red card after being prevented by security from following him.
TV channel: Sky Sports FootballLive stream: Sky Go/Now TVFree live stream: BBC website/BBC iPlayerGabon XI: Amonome; Oyono, Ecuele Manga, Assoumou, Obiang; Kanga, Ngouali, Poko; Bouanga, Autchanga; Boupendza.Ghana XI: Wollacott; A.Kyereh, Amartey, Djiku, Rahman; Baba, Partey; Sulemana, D.Kyereh, Andre Ayew; Jordan Ayew.
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That’s all from the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium
Allevinah’s late goal puts Gabon one step closer to the knockout stages.
The Panthers have a tough task on their hands as they face group leaders Morocco on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Ghana need a win against Comoros.
But, their place in the next round is far from guaranteed.
Thank you for reading, and goodnight!
Elsewhere in AFCON today

Senegal 0-0 Guinea
Malawi 2-1 Zimbabwe
Morocco 2-0 Comoros

Next up in Group C
The final round of games in group C will take place on Tuesday January 18.
Gabon take on group leaders Morocco.
Ghana take on Comoros.
What that result means
Ghana now have one point meaning that they need to win their next fixture if they want to stand a chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
Even if they do defeat Comoros, their fate in the competition will be decided by Gabon who have four points.
If the Panthers draw or win their next game it’ll guarantee their place in the next round.
Credit: AFP
Full Time – Gabon 1-1 Ghana
Replays show that Tetteh punched Boupendza in the face.
The striker is shown a red card from the referee for violent conduct.
Full Time – Gabon 1-1 Ghana
Some commotion has broken out on the pitch between the players and officials seem to be getting involved.
Ghana are visibly frustrated with the result.
Security are surrounding the referee.
Credit: AFP
Full Time – Gabon 1-1 Ghana
Allevinah’s late strike salvages a point for Gabon to increase their hopes of progressing to the next round.
Ghana will be disappointed with that result.
90+1. Gabon 1-1 Ghana
Ghana make a double substitution.
Both Ayew brothers come off and are replaced by Tetteh and Issahaku.
90. Gabon 1-1 Ghana
Allevinah carries the ball into the box before unleashing a low driven strike into the bottom right corner!
The striker has been fantastic since coming on.
Credit: Reuters
89. GOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL GABON!!!!!!
Super-sub Allevinah draws Gabon level!
85. Gabon 0-1 Ghana
Gabon create another opportunity as Boupendza makes his way into the box.
He has two defenders in front of him but attempts the shot which hits the side netting.
Only five minutes to go.
80. Gabon 0-1 Ghana
J.Ayew lines up a free kick just outside the penalty area.
His fantastic effort is sent narrowly wide of the post.
75. Gabon 0-1 Ghana
J.Ayew does well to skip past Uneme Ella on the right before he is challenged by Allevinah.
The Panthers have a corner, but nothing comes of it.
Gabon make another substitution as Ameka comes on to replace Moucketou-Moussounda.
71. Gabon 0-1 Ghana
Kanga strikes from distance but his effort is comfortably saved by Wollacott.
Gabon continue to press.
67. Gabon 0-1 Ghana
Gabon make another substitution
Martinsson Ngouali is replaced by Uneme Ella.
65. Gabon 0-1 Ghana
Ghana make another substitution.
Baba is replaced by Paintsil.
62. Gabon 0-1 Ghana
Gabon are throwing everything at their opposition right now.
The Panthers drive down the left before the ball is sent into the box.
Djiku gets a touch on it but it falls to Obiang whose strike is headed clear by Rahman.
60. Gabon 0-1 Ghana
Ghana make their first substitution of the night.
Sulemana is replaced by Addo.
59. Gabon 0-1 Ghana
Gabon come close to equalising as the ball is sent over to Allevinah.
The striker attempts to get a touch on it but Amonome does well to come out and claim.
Credit: Reuters
57. Gabon 0-1 Ghana
There is a brief pause in play as Yiadom is treated for an injury.
The defender is set to play on.
52. Gabon 0-1 Ghana
Gabon make the first change of the night.
Allevinah replaces Bouanga, who is evidently not happy about being substituted.
46. Gabon 0-1 Ghana
Gabon create the first opportunity of the half.
Obiang sends a cross into the box which is headed behind by Djiku.
Kick Off – Gabon 0-1 Ghana
Gabon get us underway for the second half.
Neither side have made any changes so far.
Half Time – Gabon 0-1 Ghana
Gabon have released a statement about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The striker is out of the squad as a precaution due to “cardiac lesions”.
🚨Selon la commission médicale de la CAF, les joueurs Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Axel Meyé et Mario Lemina à peine sortis du Covid ne peuvent pas prendre part à ce match.Les examens présenteraient des lésions cardiaques.la CAF n’a pas voulu prendre de risques. pic.twitter.com/cebUnMLSVX— Fédération Gabonaise de Football – FEGAFOOT (@fegafoot_gabon) January 14, 2022

Half Time – Gabon 0-1 Ghana
A.Ayew’s fantastic strike is all that separates these two sides going into the second half.
The game has been fairly even so far and could still go either way.
Credit: Reuters
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