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The first phase of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) rounded up on Wednesday night. With respective teams now knowing their fates ahead of the next round, there is a whole lot of action to be unearthed.
So far, the AFCON has not been void of action across the initial group stage phase. Big dogs Ghana and Algeria have already been sent packing following their poor start to the event. Underdogs Cape Verde and Equatorial Guinea came out top of groups that had heavyweights Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Egypt and Ghana.
2019 champions Algeria finishing last in their group and host nation Ivory Coast suffering a 4-nil thumping to Equatorial Guinea have both relieved their managers of duty. Contrary to the fate of other continental names, Senegal are continuing in fine form in their quest to defend their 2021 glory.
The next round will feature mouthwatering ties, upsets and remarkable drama as each team seeks to secure a quarter-final spot.
ALSO READ: AFCON: When the Super Eagles ruled Africa in 2013
Here’s a run down of the AFCON encounters you’ll see in this round:
Angola vs Namibia
Two time quarter-finalists Angola had a group stage to remember. Scoring 6 goals and racking up 7 points, they went clear of a group housing Algeria, Mauritania and Burkina Faso.
Collin Benjamin’s Namibia will make their first appearance in the knockouts in their AFCON history. Recording just one goal across the competition so far in the much earned victory against Tunisia. They’ll be looking to make history by going one better.
Venue: Stade de la paix, Bouake.
Date: January 27th.
Nigeria vs Cameroon
Abidjan will play host to a much revered West-African derby. Both nations boast a combined 8 continental champions between them. Enduring a shaky start to the campaign, both sides found their foot to secure qualification.
The headline of the fixture is anchored on if Rigobert Song will drop Manchester United’s André Onana for a successive game or bring him back to the ranks.
African player of the year Victor Osimhen will undoubtedly lead the charge for the Super Eagles as they seek to make way past the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
Venue: Stade Fèlix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan
Date: Saturday, January 27th
Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea
Juan Micha’s side finished atop a group involving hosts Ivory Coast and the Super Eagles. Tournament top scorer Emilio Nsue is central to the team’s plans, putting a hat-trick past Guinea Bissau and another 2 in the final group fixture vs Ivory Coast.
Guinea on the other hand scored only 2 goals across their group stage campaign finishing 3rd in group C. Kaba Diawara’s Guinea will need to be on the best of their defensive onus to keep out the firepower in Equatorial Guinea’s ranks.
Venue: Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan
Date: Sunday, January 28th.
Egypt vs DR Congo
Egypt have had an unlucky campaign losing captain and Liverpool talisman Mo Salah to injury in their second group game. His late goal earned them a point in the opening fixture having earlier assisted their game opener. Egypt drew all their group games finishing in second spot.
DR Congo in like fashion drew all their group stage fixtures also ending up in second place. They’ll seek to build up on their best finish at an AFCON tournament which came in the 2015 edition.
Venue: Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro
Date: Sunday, January 28th
Cape Verde vs Mauritania
Cape Verde’s surreal start to the tournament won them top spot in a group featuring African giants Ghana and Egypt. The Blue Sharks have however looked like the team to beat thus far. Inspired by former Manchester United player Bebe, the Sharks are not looking to slow down.
By standards, Mauritania has begun in interesting fashion. Considering they managed to pip 2019 champions Algeria to the 3rd place spot on offer. They have all to play for in the knockouts against Cape Verde.
Venue: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan
Date: January 29th
Senegal vs Ivory Coast
Aliou Cisse’s team have mounted a strong enough start to defend their title. Blazing past the group stage with a clean record, the only blemish being the one goal conceded. Continuing to push their case as tournament favorites.
Hosts Ivory Coast have found tough luck thus far. Winning their first game convincingly with a 2-0 scoreline however losing the successive encounters 1-0 and 4-0 to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea respectively.
Having now sacked gaffer Jean-Louis Gasset, they take the game to defending champions Senegal.
Venue: Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro.
Date: January 29th.
Mali vs Burkina Faso
Mali’s draw with Namibia on Wednesday was their second of the campaign. The earlier victory against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa helped them seal top spot in group E.
Burkina Faso’s exploits in group D involving Algeria, Mauritania and Angola earned them second spot.
The Burkinabe rescued a draw against 2019 champions Algeria and a comfortable win against Mauritania to set them up for a knockout berth.
Venue: Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo
Date: Tuesday, January 30th
Morocco vs South Africa
The Moroccans have had recent success in both male and female outings. The Moroccan national team became the first African team to achieve a semi-final outing at the FIFA world cup. In a bid to continue this fine outing at major tournaments, they lock horns with the Bafana Bafana.
Percy Tau inspired South Africa came second in group B. Their 4-0 routing of Namibia put them in pole position ahead of their counterparts despite pulling the same points. In addition, the one point gained in the comeback against Mali secured them qualification.
Venue: Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro
Date: Tuesday, January 30th.
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