AWCON 2018: Match Day One Preview

The 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations will kick this weekend with thrilling matches in Group A and Group B.

The eight participating teams, would not only be targeting the trophy at stake, but would also be vying for the three available slots to the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup to be held in France.

Ghana vs Algeria

Host Ghana, would begin the conquest for the host and win agenda, when they lock horns with the Fenneces of Algeria in a Group A opener at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ghana, who are three-time runner up (1998, 2002, 2006) of the competition would target their first three points against Algeria in an opener.

The Fenneces, who are making their fourth appearance at the women's championship, would be looking to upset the odds against the Black Queens, who are placed 47th in the world.

Algeria, has never surpassed the group phase in their previous appearance and have only won two matches since their first participation back in 2004.

The Black Queens have had a smooth preparation towards the tournament and have shown good form going into the tournament especially having defeated South Africa in a friendly while drawing to Zambia and losing narrowly to Kenya.

Anything apart from a win for the Black Queens would be considered disastrous as Ghanaians would be expecting a blistering start from the Black Queens. The match kick starts at 15:30 GMT on Saturday.

Mali vs Cameroon

Cameroon would be looking to begin their campaign on a note when the engage Mali in the other Group A match at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Cameroon, who are four time runner up, missed the opportunity to host and win the tournament in the previous edition when they lost to Nigeria on home soil.

Mali, on the other hand would be making their seventh appearance at this year's championship and would be looking to surpass the group stages birth for the first in the history. The match kick starts at 18:30 GMT on Sunday.

Nigeria vs South Africa

The biggest match of the day, would be in Cape Coast, where two giants in Africa women's football would face each oher in what promises to be a feisty duel.

Defending Champions, Nigeria would be looking to begin their quest of 11th continental trophy against a Bayana Bayana side who are currently ranked 50th in the World.

Undoubtedly, the Super Falcons represent the face of women football on the continent and are considered pre-tournament favorites.

The match kick starts at 15:30 GMT on Sunday.

Zambia vs Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea who were handed a late inclusion into this year's tournament would lock horns against their Zambia counterparts in the last match of day one at the Cape Coast Stadium.

Equatorial Guinea, who have won the tournament twice have being on resurgence in recent times as they continue to establish themselves as one of the heavyweights on the continent.

Zambia on the other hand, would be making their third appearance at this year's championship with their best results being surpassing the group stages into the quarter-finals back in 1995.

The match kick starts at 18:30 GMT on Sunday.