So January 21st will be D-day when Gabon, Cameroon, Tunisia, and Zambia battle it out at the same time.
One thing is clear, though: only one among the table’s favorites – Cameroon and Tunisia – will be able to qualify alongside either Gabon or Zambia.
Cameroon vs Tunisia – 2010 Africa Cup of Nations Match Preview
LiveSoccerTV.com starts by previewing Thursday’s most anticipated clash between two of Africa’s giants. It’s Cameroon vs Tunisia, a deciding fixture which will be played at the Estadio Nacional da Tundavala in Lubango.
Cameroon analyses
Following their impressive 3-2 comeback against Zambia the last time out, Cameroon picked up three vital points which lifted them onto second in Group D.
The Indomitable Lions surprisingly lost their opening fixture 1-0 to current leaders Gabon but they are presently in with a chance of reaching the quarter-finals at everyone’s expectations.
But how easy will qualifying prove to be and how costly will it be to have let three points slip away against the Gabonese on Day 1?
Cameroon will be playing Tunisia on match-day three of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and mathematical calculations explain that the safest thing to assure qualification into the next stage will be to beat the Eagles of Carthage.
Speaking ahead of this titanic decider, Day 2 match-winner striker Idrissou urged his side to be mentally and physically ready.
He said:
“It will all be about concentrating. We must not sit back like we did in the game against Zambia where we thought that we could win without raising the tempo.
“We have to put pressure on Tunisia’s defense and force the result.”
Talking about putting pressure on Tunisia’s defense, doubts could emerge as Cameroon’s prolific striker Samuel Eto’o – who sustained an ankle injury against Zambia – is said to miss Thursday’s match.
Tunisia analyses
Can Tunisia clinch their first victory at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nation? Well, it should be a must if they want to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament.
In their last game, the Eagles of Carthage had a lucky goalless draw and therefore secured a single point.
The score line could have been worse if the referee had awarded Gabon with what appeared to be a clear penalty in the dying minutes of the game.
Thursday will be the moment for Tunisia to take revenge on the 3-2 loss which they suffered against Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.
Tunisia’s 2010 Africa Cup of Nations squad is young in average but despite blaming the team's problems on inexperience, captain Haggui remains positive.
He stated ahead of their clash against Cameroon:
“I want to underline that we’re here with a young team that improves with every match. Six players among the squad are having their first appearances at the Nations Cup.
“There are certain opportunities which we’ve missed due to inexperience. But nothing is over yet. We still have one match to go.”
Tunisia are third in Group D with only two points. Only a victory will do before they jump into the quarter-finals of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
Gabon vs Zambia – 2010 Africa Cup of Nations Match Preview
The Estadio Nacional de OMBAKA in Benguela will host Group D’s other match between Gabon and Zambia. It will kick off at 16:00 GMT, just like the Cameroon vs Tunisia encounter.
Gabon analyses
Gabon have one foot in the quarter-finals of the tournament following their shocking victory over Cameroon and their draw against Tunisia.
However, the worse could happen as well on Thursday. Gabon’s dream could fade away in 90 minutes;
That is if they lose to Zambia and if there is a winner between Tunisia and Cameroon in the day’s other clash.
How will men in yellow and blue hold on to their vital advantage?
In fact, Gabon have an impressive style of play characterized by an excellent formation which makes it hard for their opponents to break their defensive line and score.
So far, they’ve conceded no goals and keeping another clean sheet against Zambia will definitely assure them tickets into the last eight.
Gabon need only a point to qualify. Should they succumb to defeat, then they’ll have to hope that the Eagles of Carthage draw against the Indomitable Lions.
Zambia analyses
Zambia face the uphill task of emerging from the bottom of Group D to the next stage of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
They have only one point from their first fixture which ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw against Tunisia.
Zambia opened the scoring against Cameroon on Day 2 of the tournament but they eventually went down 3-2 in the end.
Speaking about that loss and looking forward to Thursday’s encounter, Zambia’s coach Herve Renard said:
“Things like that happen sometimes. All is not lost and we have the last match against Gabon. We know that if we beat them, we can still qualify.”
The importance of Thursday’s encounter is huge and the coach underlined it by expressing his opinions ahead of the game.
”It is a must-win game, so I’ll be using players who will help Zambia qualify for the quarter-finals.
“I dream of taking Zambia to the quarter-finals because it’s been a long time since Zambia played in the quarter-finals.”
Will Herve Renard’s wish come true?
