The Africa Cup of Nations has reached the zone-very last degree and Saturday's suits promise the threat of history. Host country Cameroon will meet Gambia inside the opposition for the first time, their 2d successive sport towards tournament debutants, something they remaining skilled way returned in 1972.
Tunisia meet Burkina Faso inside the later match looking to end a reasonably rotten current document at this level of the AFCON, despite the fact that records favours their fighters. Two of Egypt, Morocco, Senegal and Equatorial Guinea will lie in wait for winners...
Gambia v Cameroon (17:00 CET)
Cameroon have enjoyed going through AFCON debutants of late: including their 2-1 win over Comoros inside the last round, they have received 3 consecutive suits in opposition to such opposition, which is greater than they managed in their first six such games. Gambia, who surprised Guinea within the final sixteen, are bidding to end up the first team to reach the semi-finals in their first Africa Cup of Nations considering that eventual winners South Africa did so back in 1996.
Unbeaten in their beyond eight suits in all competitions, Cameroon have advanced from of their most current 3 AFCON area-finals, having long past via on consequences in opposition to Senegal maximum these days in 2017. Defeat to Gambia, the smallest country on the African mainland and one that had in no way earlier than reached a chief event, would go down as one of the opposition's best upsets.
Yet for Musa Barrow, whose intention sent them into the ultimate 8, there may be little strain. "Everyone is glad back home," he advised AFP. "It is a small nation. We love football. People examine soccer from the road so coming to this AFCON, achieving this degree is a huge improvement, and it is going to take the Gambian name to higher heights. We have nothing to lose, however they're the host nation. If they lose it's miles going to be a huge disaster for them."
One to observe: Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon)
Gambia will need little incentive to preserve an eye on Cameroon's captain and maximum risky striker, but Aboubakar is chasing no longer just an area in the semi-finals here.
Not simplest has he scored in each of his past six games inside the competition, however he may also become the primary participant in AFCON history to internet in a crew's first five matches at a unmarried version of the event.
Burkina Faso v Tunisia (20:00 CET)
