Ivory Coast top of Group E after their 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday, whilst Sierra Leone impressive goalless draw with holders Algeria has set up a great Japoma showdown between the two West African nations this Sunday.

The match will kick at 4 pm GMT+ 1 on Sunday, January 16, 2022. The Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, will host the contest.

Their last Afcon match was back in 1994 when Joël Tiéhi scored a hattrick, Tchiressoua Guel scored the other as Sierra Leone suffered a 4-0 thrashing.

This time, another Afcon win for the Elephant will see them reach the knockout stages but face a buoyed Sierra Leone side as the Africa Cup of Nations group stage continues this weekend.

A Sierra Leone triumph surely will increase their chances to make the continental round of sixteen for the first time in their history – A draw will still mean a chance as one of the best losers worst-case scenario.

Sierra Leone started their campaign with an impressive goalless draw against holders Algeria and must produce a similar performance against Les Éléphants here.

Over the last three decades, Cote d’Ivoire has never lost against Leone Star, but Sierra Leone is ready to defy all odds on Sunday while the Ivorians expected that their unbeaten run will continue here. The last meeting between the two nations saw them play to a 1-1 scoreline in Ivory Coast.

The Ivorians will not want to drop points in this game as they face reigning champions Algeria in their final group stage fixture on Thursday.

A reminder that the top two teams of each group will qualify, along with the four best third-placed teams. Sierra Leone will have to do two key players. They are Osman Kakay and David Sesay, both being tested positive for covid-19, the SLFA has said.

Osman Kakay was pivotal against Algeria, and it is unclear whether Randers striker Alhaji Kamara, who sustained an injury during the Algeria draw, will be a match fit.

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