The international break is upon us and this weekend the AFCON qualifiers will hit the screens. With key fixtures on the line-up, supporters are in for a football feast as Uganda who are in pole position in their group take on Cape Verde that are still in contention for qualification. The Blue Sharks will be playing away but will be gunning for three points on the day.
This week retired South African footballer James Mayinga gives us his thoughts on which teams he thinks will win regarding the following matches.
Seychelles v Libya (AFCON Qualifier)
Match 1 Soccer 6 Pool 17 November S6 V1 P1
League Rankings: Seychelles 188th Libya 105th
Useful facts: Although playing at home, the whipping boys of the group in Seychelles will have their backs against the wall against a Libya side that held South Africa to a draw in Durban and should count themselves unlucky not to have come away with a point in their most recent meeting against Nigeria, where they succumbed to a 3-2 scoreline. In fact, The Pirates are out of the reckoning for next year's AFCON and will be playing for nothing more than pride in this encounter. The visitors need the result badly, knowing that all they would then need to do is beat South Africa in the final game next year in order to seal qualification.
James Mayinga: Libya win
Uganda v Cape Verde Islands (AFCON Qualifier)
Match 3 Soccer 6 Pool 17 November S6 V1 P1
League Rankings: Uganda 79th Cape Verde Islands 68th
Useful facts: The Cranes are in pole position in the group and, playing in front of their home fans, will be confident of getting a positive result against a Cape Verde Islands side that is also still in contention for AFCON qualification. The Blue Sharks are a footballing nation on the rise and have captured the imagination of many across the continent, and beating Uganda will be another feather in the cap for the tiny nation. In the reverse fixture more than a year ago, it was a tightly contested affair, which Uganda won 1-0, courtesy of a Dan Sserunkuma striker seven minutes from time. Expect Cape Verde Islands to want to exact revenge.
James Mayinga: Cape Verde Islands win
Namibia v Guinea Bissau (AFCON Qualifier)
Match 4 Soccer 6 Pool 17 November S6 V1 P1
League Rankings: Namibia 109th Guinea Bissau 119th
Useful facts: It's a do-or-die battle between the top two teams in the group, who are both on seven points and have an equal goal difference. Not many might have given Namibia a chance in this group that also comprises Mozambique and Zambia, but they have proved their mettle and have shown that they want to be at the AFCON next year. In the previous round of qualifiers, Mamelodi Sundowns' Toni Silva scored for Guinea-Bissau in a 2-1 win against Zambia, while Highlands Park's Peter Shalulile was also on the scoresheet for Namibia in a crucial 1-0 victory over Mozambique. The two will likely play a pivotal role for their national teams once more as they seek to ensure qualification with one game to spare.
James Mayinga: Guinea Bissau win
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