Togo vs Tunisia
It is a must win tie for both Tunisia and Togo as they lock horns in the final Group D match of the 2013 African Cup of Nations on Wednesday.
Both nations are tied on three points apiece and a win for either side at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit will guarantee them a place in the quarterfinals in second place as Cote d’voire have already topped the group with a game against Algeria left to play.
The Elephants have secured top spot in the group with wins over both Togo and Tunisia, and all that remains is to fight for a second place birth.
The two sides lost to Ivory Coast with Tunisia being the bigger causalities with 3-0 defeat while Sparrow hawks lost 2-1 but both picked up maximum points against Algeria whose match against Ivory Coast is a dead rubber.
Unlike Togo, Tunisia are in a must win situation against Togo as anything less than maximum points would see the 2004 champions heading home.
For Togo, they can at least afford to draw the match which would still see them qualify for the knockout stages on a superior goal difference to Tunisia.
The Adebayor skippered team will be the favourites heading into this final Group D match as they have looked quite impressive in their opening two matches.
Togo and Tunisia have met in seven official matches since 1994 of which Tunisia have won six times and one has been drawn. The Sparrow Hawks have never beaten Tunisia, but will fancy their chances after the Carthage Eagles’ poor showing against Cote d’Ivoire.
The last time the two met was in October 2011 where Tunisia ran out 2-0 winners.
Surprisingly, Togo have never reached the last eight of the continental soccer show piece in their history.
Algeria vs Cote d'Ivoire
Last year’s losing finalists Cote d’voire take on Algeria in their last group match the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations at the Royal Bafokeng on Wednesday night in what is already considered as a dead rubber.
The Elephants are already through to the next stage after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Togo before stepping up a gear to register a solid 3-0 win over Tunisia while Algeria already bowed out after losing their opening two matches to Tunisia (1-0) and Togo (2-0).
Sabri Lamouchi’s side are assured of finishing top of group D due to better head to head statistics irrespective of the outcome of the match between Togo and Tunisia, who will battle it out for second place at the Mbombela Stadium.
The 1992 winners will however look to replicate their form from the 2012 edition where they maintained a perfect record en route to the final, where they eventually lost to Zambia on penalties.
Algeria on the other hand have it all to do as they are still searching for their first goal and first point in the tournament.
The desert Foxes have looked good on the ball but have nothing to show for it after losing their opening game to Tunisia 1-0 before a 2-0 loss to Togo confirmed their early exit.
Algeria will draw inspiration from their last meeting in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations where they scored late to tie the match at 2-2 before netting in extra time to secure a 3-2 win.
