The final matches of the group stage in the AFCON 2023 kicked off this Monday. While some teams still have to wait for all matches to determine their fate regarding qualification for the round of 16, others have already secured their tickets before the third matchday.
Commencing on January 13th, the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is gearing up for a crucial stage: the knockout matches. On Wednesday, the final group stage matches will be played, particularly in Groups E and F. For teams like Senegal and Cape Verde, who managed to win their first two matches in the AFCON 2023, tickets to the round of 16 were already secured before the third day. After the last encounters in Groups A and B on Monday, several countries now know their fate.
Teams qualified after three matches
In Group A, Equatorial Guinea, ruthless against Ivory Coast on Monday, tops the group with 7 points and has already secured their ticket. In the same group, Nigeria’s Super Eagles, second with 7 points as well, are directly qualified for the next round.
Regarding Group B, where all teams have played their three group stage matches in the AFCON 2023, Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks, totaling 7 points, and Egypt, with three draws, are also qualified for the round of 16. On Tuesday, the other final groups of this group stage will be played in Groups C and D, with Groups E and F scheduled for Wednesday. Before these matches, six other countries are already guaranteed a spot in the round of 16, regardless of the result of their last match.
Teams qualified before their last match
Apart from Cape Verde, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria, Guinea Conakry in Group C has already secured their ticket. With 4 points, no scenario will prevent the Syli National from reaching the round of 16 in the AFCON 2023. In this group, Senegal also continues the journey. Mali, Morocco, Burkina Faso, and Angola, all with 4 points, are already assured of playing in the round of 16, allowing them to approach their last group stage match with a lot of freedom.
However, these teams will strive to top their group to avoid facing tough opponents in the round of 16, promising exciting matchups. The final group stage matches in Groups C, D, E, and F are eagerly anticipated as they will determine the four teams that will secure their tickets for the next round of the AFCON 2023 as the best third-placed teams.
Teams awaiting qualification
Despite disappointments for teams like Ivory Coast and Ghana, who played their last group stage match on Monday, all is not lost. Especially for the host country, several scenarios can allow them to continue in the competition. Currently third in Group A with 3 points, the Elephants will await the matches between Gambia and Cameroon, as well as Namibia and Mali, and Zambia and Morocco.
At the moment, everything is still open for Cameroon, who must win to advance in Group C, as well as for Algeria, with only 2 points so far in Group D, needing a victory to comfortably continue in the AFCON 2023. Namibia, with 3 points, also has a chance by not losing their last match, just like Tunisia, who must win to qualify in Group D. Finally, in Group F, everything remains open for the three other teams behind Morocco, namely DR Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania.
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