African countries have no competitive internationals in the October window but many of them are using the opportunity to get ready for key dates ahead.
All the continent’s top teams are in action over the following six days preparing for next month’s kick off of the World Cup qualifiers plus the Africa Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast in January.
The last of the qualifying matches for that tournament, which runs from January 13 to February 11, is played in Agadir on Tuesday when Morocco host Liberia. It was postpone last month after the horror earthquake that killed thousands in Morocco.
Portugal plays host to variety of friendlies involving not only former colonies like Angola, Guinea Bissau and Mozambique but also Nigeria’s Super Eagles, whose coach Jose Peserio is Portuguese.
Nigeria take on Saudi Arabia on Friday in Portimao and then the Mambas of Mozambique on Monday.
Egypt have a full squad, including Mohamed Salah, for their two friendlies in Abu Dhabi, first against Zambia on Thursday and then Algeria on Monday.
Cameroon are in Moscow on Thursday to offer Russia, banned from Fifa competition, a rare interview. After that, the Indomitable Lions fly to France where they will meet reigning African champions Seneghal in Lens on Monday.
Ghana’s Black Stars are doing the most traveling. They have flown across the Atlantic to North Carollina to meet Mexio and after that go to Nashville to meet the U.S
AFRICAN INTERNATIONALS THIS MONTH:
Thursday October 12
Russia v Cameroon, Moscow
Algeria v Cape Verde Islands, Constantine
Egypt v Zambia, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Friday October 13
South Korea v Tunisia, Suwon
DR Congo v New Zealand, Murcia, Spain
Nigeria v Saudi Arabia, Portimao, Portugal
South Africa v Eswatini, Soccer City
Guinea v Gabon, Parchal, Portugal
Mali v Uganda, Bamako
Benin v Madagascar, Casablanca, Morocco
Equatorial Guinea v Burkina Faso, Malabo
Mozambique v Angola, Algarve, Portugal
Saturday October 14
Mexico v Ghana, Charlotte, USA
Ivory Coast v Morocco, Abidjan
Monday October 16
Mozambique v Nigeria, Albuferia, Portugal
Cameroon v Senegal, Lens, France
Russia v Kenya, Antalya, Turkey
Egypt v Algeria, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Tuesday October 17
Japan v Tunisia, Kobe
Mali v Saudi Arabia, Portimao, Portugal
Guinea v Guinea Bissau, Sao Joao de Venda, Portugal
Morocco v Liberia, Agadir
Angola v DR Congo, Algarve, Portugal
Benin v Botswana, Casablanca, Morocco
Ivory Coast v South Africa, Abidjan
Mauritania v Burkina Faso, Nouakchott
Wednesday October 18
USA v Ghana, Nashville
