Ghana drop Arsenal ace Partey as country seeks AFCON survival
With the first matchday five matchups scheduled for Wednesday, Ghana has benched Thomas Partey, a midfielder for Arsenal, for what might be crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger.
Otto Addo, the embattled coach, would not explain why he left out the 31-year-old, who has 13 goals in 49 international games.
"My motivations are private. He told reporters, "I'm hoping he'll be back with us for the upcoming international window in March (World Cup qualifying)."
West Ham United midfielder Mohamed Kudus has been replaced as captain by Leicester City attacker Jordan Ayew in another decision involving Premier League players.
In their home and road games against Sudan last month, Kudus led the Black Stars to just one point, putting Ghana in jeopardy of missing the tournament's finals for the first time since 2004.
The third most successful country in the AFCON with four titles have secured just two points from four Group F matches to lie third.
Ghana must win away to leaders Angola on Friday and at home to Niger three days later to have any hope of overtaking second-placed Sudan and qualifying for the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
However, Sudan need just one point from matches against Niger and Angola to secure qualification despite having to play home matches outside a country engulfed in a civil war.
Here, AFP Sport highlights five other matchday five clashes between Wednesday and Saturday, with the final round of qualifiers scheduled for the following three days.
Benin v Nigeria
Nigeria needs one point to secure qualification, and reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen returns from injury for Group D matches against Benin and Rwanda.
Caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen has a number of alternatives when it comes to choosing his frontline, including Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Boniface.
However, after losing 2-1 to a squad led by former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr in a World Cup qualifying match last year, Nigeria would be cautious when facing Benin.
Mauritania vs. Botswana
when two rounds, Botswana looked eliminated from contention for a finals spot when travel issues caused Egypt to thrash them with four goals, rendering the Zebras useless and disheartened.
However, unexpected victories over Cape Verde at home and away in Group C have positioned them second behind already-qualified Egypt, and a home victory over Mauritania will clinch a place in Morocco.
French coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa quit Botswana after the solitary-goal wins over Cape Verde to join Al Ahly Tripoli and South African Morena Ramoreboli has been placed in temporary charge.
Gambia v Comoros
Comoros caused a major upset last month by winning in Tunisia through a Rafiki Said goal, ending a run of 16 straight home victories by the Carthage Eagles in AFCON qualifiers.
Coached by Italian Stefano Cusin, a team composed mainly of footballers from the lower French leagues will seal qualification from Group A if they beat Gambia.
The match is being staged in Moroccan city Berkane because Gambia lack an international-standard stadium.
Uganda v South Africa
Belgian coaches Paul Put (Uganda) and Hugo Broos (South Africa) come face to face in a match between the likely Group K qualifiers.
Should Congo Brazzaville lose to South Sudan, who are improving minnows, 24 hours prior, both will be guaranteed qualification.
Denis Omedi, a forward based at home, has performed well for Uganda. The injured Burnley forward will be missed by South Africa. Al Ahly winger Percy Tau and Lyle Foster have been let go.
Kenya versus Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has a chance to advance from Group J with one game remaining in this matchup between nations who were disqualified from the previous AFCON due to government meddling.
For a Zimbabwean squad led by German coach Michael Nees, who is compelled to play in Polokwane, South Africa, due to a lack of a suitable venue for AFCON matches, a point will do.
Kenya has to win to maintain their chances of joining Cameroon, who are already qualified, but the Turkish coach Engin Firat must be concerned by a failure to score in two of four qualifiers.