The Estadio 11 de Novembro will in Luanda will host Mali and Algeria at 16:00 GMT before welcoming Angola and Malawi at 18:30.
Mali vs Algeria – 2010 Africa Cup of Nations Match Preview
This clash will undoubtedly receive much attention due to the mental battles that will definitely be involved in the encounter.
Mali
On match-day one of the campaign, Mali unbelievably recovered from 4-0 down against the Angolans to draw level, thanks to four late goals that were scored in the last 11 minutes of the match.
The Eagles consequently earned at least a point and can now enter Thursday’s game with a boost of confidence after achieving the ‘unthinkable’ on the opening day of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mali, however, will be alert after conceding four goals against Angola – two of which were penalties. Imposing their style of play right from the start of the game and playing with hunger will certainly help the Malians on match-day 2.
Algeria
The pressure will be on Algeria to perform and bounce back from their shocking 3-0 defeat against underdogs Malawi on match-day one.
The Algerians are the only ones in Group A to possess tickets for the upcoming 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Now if their recent success in 2009 led people to anticipate a great start in Angola, their opening score line didn’t suggest that.
What killed Algeria in their 3-0 defeat to Malawi was mainly their defensive mistakes. Visibly, the Desert Foxes could have prevented at least two goals from entering in their net.
Algeria’s goalkeeper Fawzi Chaouchi, who was guilty of a rather poor performance, affirmed after the game:
"I know that we made a lot of mistakes. We had an awful day and were unable to meet our targets.
"I take the blame for the first and third goals. And I take this opportunity to apologize to the Algerian people. We will redeem ourselves, we promise.
"The next game will be in other conditions. We’re going to prepare for the match against Mali, which must be won.
“Then we will have to focus on the Angola game. However, the priority now is to win against Mali."
Indeed, losing against Mali might see Algeria kicked out of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Angola while a victory for the Desert Foxes will put Group A right into the balance.
Angola vs Malawi – 2010 Africa Cup of Nations Match Preview
The 2010 Africa Cup of Nations hosts will resume play on Thursday when they host Malawi at 18:30 GMT.
Angola
Angola were in the goal scoring form of their lives when they put four past Mali on the opening day of the tournament.
However, their joy suddenly turned into anger and distress when the Eagles responded with four goals in the last quarter of the match.
Obviously, Angola will need to recover from this shocking draw and whether it was through complacency or not that they let a four goal lead slip away against Mali, the reality is that the Palancas Negras only have a point whereas Malawi have three.
Malawi
Malawi came into the tournament as underdogs and no one would have expected them to score three goals past the 2010 World Cup participants Algeria on match-day one.
However, the truth is that the Malawians are not far away from qualifying into quarter-finals of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
A victory, which will upset the hosts and put them into a very awkward position to avoid elimination, will send Malawi in the last eight.
It will be interesting to see how Angola’s defense deal with Malawi’s flare while the public will wait and see if Malawi’s defense will at last be broken.
