AFCON: Knockout Rounds Present Mouthwatering Pairings
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – The curtains for the Group stage of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire drew to a close on Wednesday night by setting up some interesting pairings for the knock-out stage this year’s championship.
Obviously, in what holds the most anticipated encounter of the last 16 rounds, defending champions, Teranga Lions of Senegal, who have been impressive in the tournament so far, will take on the host nation, Cote d’Ivoire.
No doubt, it has not been the best of times for the Elephants, who were humiliated 4-0 by minnows, Nzalang Nacional (National Thunder) of Equatorial Guinea in their final group game but still advanced as one of the best third-placed teams in the group stage.
The Ivorians have an uphill task facing the in-form Senegalese who are yet to drop points at the continental soccer fiesta.
Also, two continental heavyweights have a date to rekindle their bitter rivalry with the Super Eagles of Nigeria taking on the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon despite not enjoying the best performance during their group stage outings.
Similarly, Africa’s pride at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Atlas Lions of Morocco, which led their group without conceding a goal, are set to continue their impressive form against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana whose showing at the championship has been slightly above average.
Another interesting tie puts underdogs Equatorial Guinea, who emerged undefeated and surprised football analysts as Group A winners against Syli Nationale of Guinea while first-timers in the knockout rounds, Brave Warriors of Namibia have a tough challenge going against two-time quarter-finalists Angola’s Palancas Negras (Black Sable Antelopes).
On their part, the Pharaohs of Egypt will be seeking to shake off an underwhelming group stage and live up to their billing as Africa’s most successful AFCON nation while taking on a dangerous opponent in The Leopards of DR Congo.
Also, following their shocking run in the group stage, the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde, which went unbeaten to better two former AFCON champions, Egypt and Ghana, will have Mauritania’s Lions of Chinguetti to deal with in the round of 16.
The other intriguing clashes will have The Eagles) of Mali battling their Burkina Faso counterparts, The Stallions for a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
ALL THE FIXTURES
1. Nigeria vs Cameroon – January 27 (Venue – Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium)
2. Angola vs Namibia – January 27 (Venue – Stade de la paix in Bouake)
3. Egypt vs D.R Congo – January 28 (Venue – Laurent Pokou Stadium)
4. Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea – January 28 (Venue – Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Sunday)
5. Cape Verde vs Mauritania – January 29 (Venue – Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium)
6. Burkina Faso vs Mali – January 29 (Venue – Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium)
7. Senegal vs Côte d’lvoire – January 29 (Venue – Charles Konan Banny Stadium)
8. Morocco vs South Africa – January 30 (Venue – Laurent Pokou Stadium)
ALL THE GROUPS’ FINAL STANDINGS
GROUP A
| POS | COUNTRIES | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Equatorial Guinea | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 7 | D W W |
| 2 |  | Nigeria | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | D W W |
| 3 |  | Côte d’Ivoire | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 3 | W L L |
| 4 |  | Guinea-Bissau | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 0 | L L L |
GROUP B
| POS | COUNTRIES | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Cabo Verde | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 7 | W W D |
| 2 |  | Egypt | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 | D D D |
| 3 |  | Ghana | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 2 | L D D |
| 4 |  | Mozambique | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 2 | D L D |
GROUP C
| POS | COUNTRIES | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Senegal | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 9 | W W W |
| 2 |  | Cameroon | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 | D L W |
| 3 |  | Guinea | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 4 | D W L |
| 4 |  | Gambia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 0 | L L L |
GROUP D
| POS | COUNTRIES | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Angola | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 7 | D W W |
| 2 |  | Burkina Faso | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 4 | W D L |
| 3 |  | Mauritania | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 | L L W |
| 4 |  | Algeria | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 2 | D D L |
GROUP E
| POS | COUNTRIES | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Mali | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | W D D |
| 2 |  | South Africa | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | L W D |
| 3 |  | Namibia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 4 | W L D |
| 4 |  | Tunisia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 2 | L D D |
GROUP F
| POS | COUNTRIES | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Morocco | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 7 | W D W |
| 2 |  | Congo DR | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | D D D |
| 3 |  | Zambia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 2 | D D L |
| 4 |  | Tanzania | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 2 | L D D |
