While the country has been crossed for decades by various crises which make it one of the least advanced in the world, the Central African Republic has the opportunity to see its football team qualify for the first time in its history at AFCON.
The Central African-Angola match on Saturday, counting for the 5th day of the AFCON 2024 qualifiers, could forever mark the history of the country.
Tomorrow from 1 p.m U.T, in Douala, Cameroon, the Fauves will rush towards the Palancas Negras to win a victory which will be synonymous with their first qualification for an AFCON.
It would be a resounding feat for this small country of just over 5 million inhabitants, mired for years in a political and security crisis that is weighing down the economy and making it the fourth poorest country in the world according to the IMF.
However, the national team, forced to play its matches abroad due to lack of approved stadium by CAF, is on the way to succeeding in the big challenge and the whole country is waiting for it.
Having already recorded 7 points and being second in Group E after Ghana, a victory on Saturday is enough for the Central African Republic to qualify for Côte d’Ivoire 2023.
Any other results would put them at risk for the final day, they will come to challenge Ghana, while Angola will be facing Madagascar, the last of the group.
AFCON: Central African Republic for a historic qualification
Central African Republic's supporters cheer their team during the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifying football match between Democratic Republic of the Congo and Central African Republic on September 4, 2016 at the Martyrs stadium, in Kinshasa. / AFP / Junior KANNAH (Photo credit should read JUNIOR KANNAH/AFP via Getty Images)