By Ian Asabo
Eyes on the prize as Afcon elite 8 face-offs with two games away from glory
The quarterfinals of the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) are reaching its business end as eight teams remain standing. This tournament has been one of the surprises, great goals, and great teams like Nigeria and the defending champions, Algeria have fallen while the “Elephants” fell during the last round, as Egypt squeezed through to the last eight.
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Gambia vs Cameroon 1900 EAT (Doula stadium)
Gambia, the lowest-ranked nation left in the competition (156) faces the hosts-Cameroon, as the indomitable “lions” continue to march on looking to win the competition for the sixth time on home soil. Captain and top scorer in the competition, Vincent Aboubakar, will look to continue his goal-scoring form with six goals already and to guide his side to the semifinal and a step away from glory.
Saturday, 29 January 2022
Burkina Faso vs Tunisia 2200 EAT (Roumde Adujia stadium)
Burkina Faso will head into their quarter-final clash against Tunisia in Garoua after defeating Gabon on penalties and face a tall order to get into the semifinals. The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia will be favorites to get into the semifinals and win their first competition since 2004 and will be looking to Youssef Msakni for inspiration after his lone goal dumped Nigeria out of the tournament in the previous stage.
Sunday January 30, 2022
Egypt vs Morocco 1800 EAT (Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium)
Seven-time African champions Egypt face North African rivals Morocco in Yaoundé on Sunday as bragging rights are on the line. The Pharaohs have not been at their best in Cameroon, -but find themselves in the final eight after winning a penalty shootout against Ivory Coast in the round of 16. The Atlas lions on the other hand have been going about their business quietly and will be confident when the sides meet,-as they will look to progress and win their first AFCON title since 1976. They will look to their European-based stars like Achraf Hakimi and Youssef El Nesryri to take down the pharaohs.
Sunday, January 30, 2022
Senegal vs Equatorial Guinea 2200 EAT (Douala stadium)
Africa’s number one ranked, Senegal head into their quarter-final clash against Equatorial Guinea full of confidence after their convincing win over Cape Verde in the round of 16, the 2019 runners- up are gaining the right momentum at the right time as they will look to go one better and win their maiden title. Equatorial Guinea continues their fairy-tale run-in Cameroon after their penalty shootout win against Mali but will face a tall order against the lions of Teranga.
SHEPHERDS FACE EAGLES AS UCU RUGBY RETURN
Saturday January 29, 2022
UCU Shepherds vs Eagles RFC 1400 EAT (UCU main pitch)
Uganda Christian University rugby team, the shepherds kick off their 2022 rugby season against the Eagles in a central rugby league fixture as they will be looking for the win and to get on the board. The team finds itself in a rebuilding phase with the loss of some key players like Albert Bahirwa. Interim team captain, Trevor Masaba, believes that this phase can give the team a new identity and build a new culture as well as get a new crop of players. Expect ‘fireworks’ when these sides meet in an early Saturday encounter.
UCU Volleyball running out of time as relegation looms
Saturday, January 29, 2022
- UCU Doves vs Nkumba (Men) (UCU court)
- UCU Lady Doves vs Nkumba (Women) (UCU court)
Time is running out for UCU volleyball as relegation looms for both sides to Serie B for next season, the loss to rivals Ndejje University the previous weekend has reduced chances of staying in the top flight as round 2 resumed. The ladies remain rock bottom winless from seven games and face KCB- Nkumba who will be high on confidence after their win against Espoir last weekend. The men remain second from bottom after their loss last weekend and face Nkumba on a winning run, after their victory KAVC-A.
UCU Netball hoping to continue winning run against bottom side Posta
Saturday January 29, 2022
UCU Angels vs Posta 1430 EAT (Luzira prisons)
The UCU Angels side will be looking to continue their winning ways when they face bottom side Posta Uganda in Luzira on Saturday. Fresh off their 52-42 win over UPDF on Wednesday, the ladies will look to climb up the table. They are fifth on the table with a 5-5 record after 10 games. Hanisha Muhammed will look to provide the goals that the team needs after garnering 201 points which places her seventh on the top scorer table.
