African national teams head off on friendly assignments

CAPE TOWN, Oct 1 : African countries will use the second part of the expanded international window for added practice after completing the opening two rounds of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Benin and Burkina Faso are heading to Argentina.

The Burkinabe face the World Cup runners-up on Saturday while Benin feature in Lionel Messi's farewell international next Tuesday with 85,000 expected at Buenos Aires' Estadio Monumental to say goodbye to the eight-times Ballon d'Or winner.

“We’re going to have a bit of a party with Messi. But we’ll still try to play the role of party poopers a little, because that also gives us some enjoyment. We’re not going there to concede a lot of goals,” said Benin coach Gernot Rohr.

His side drew at Burkina Faso and then beat Mauritania in their opening two Group F qualifiers for the 2027 Cup of Nations finals to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Gambia, whose come-from-behind 4-2 win away to Ghana on Tuesday ranks among their greatest triumphs, have an equally long journey to Bolivia where they will play in Santa Cruz.

Namibia, who beat Congo but lost to Comoros over the last week, take on Russia, who are suspended from UEFA competition, in Ekaterinburg on Saturday.

Nigeria, who suffered a 3-0 loss in Guinea Bissau on Tuesday, will also travel to take on the Russians in Nizhny Novgorod, one of the 2018 World Cup venues. 

Tunisia cancelled Saturday's friendly against Mali as their poor form as this year’s World Cup spilled over into the Cup of Nations qualifiers, where they were held to draws by Uganda and Botswana in their opening two group matches, both at home.

GHANA PLUNGED INTO CRISIS

Mali will now play Morocco, who were originally due to host Ghana in Tangier on Saturday. Ghana cited a