Africa Cup of Nations: Knockout stage to start on Saturday

The group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations has ended. Last night, the defending champion Ivory Coast secured the top spot in the group in the last match, while Algeria finished the group stage unbeaten with three consecutive wins.

Africa Cup of Nations: Knockout stage to start on Saturday

Before the last match in Group ‘F’, Ivory Coast and Cameroon – both teams had the same points and results. So there was a possibility of determining the top spot through the lottery. But in the end, it was not necessary. Ivory Coast won the group by a goal difference.

Ivory Coast won a great 3-2 goal in Marrakech against Gabon, who were already eliminated; although they fell behind by two goals within 21 minutes of the match. Gabon took the lead after goalkeeper Alban Lafon made a mistake. Los Angeles FC forward Denis Buyang scored the second goal.

Ivory Coast, under pressure, reduced the deficit just before the break when Jean-Philippe Crassot scored from a long pass by Wilfried Zaha. Aston Villa’s Evan Gesand headed home a header in the 84th minute. Youngster Bajumana Toure’s goal in stoppage time sealed the victory for ‘The Elephants’.

Cameroon beat Mozambique 2-1. Ivory Coast and Cameroon finished level on seven points, but Ivory Coast topped the group on goal difference. Mozambique finished third with three points, but they also advanced to the last 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams. Gabon has one point. Ivory Coast will now face Burkina Faso in Marrakesh on Tuesday. Ivory Coast have a chance to become the first team since Egypt in 2010 to retain the title.

In the match held in Agadir, Gheni Katamo scored a great goal for Mozambique in the first half. However, Cameroon equalized before the half-hour mark. Nene blocked a shot from Frank Magri and the ball hit the post and went into his own net.

A brilliant goal by Bayer Leverkusen’s young forward Christian Kofan in the 55th minute gave Cameroon the victory. As the second in the group, five-time champions Cameroon will play South Africa in the last 16 on Sunday. Mozambique, who have reached the knockout stage for the first time in history, will next face Nigeria.

Algeria won all three matches in Group ‘E’ and became the group champion with 9 points. In Rabat, they defeated Equatorial Guinea 3-1. Before the match, Algeria’s top spot was assured, and Equatorial Guinea’s exit was already certain.

Algeria scored three goals in the first half. Zinedine Belaid, Fares Chaibi and Ibrahim Maja scored. Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsuye equalised early in the second half. Algeria will play DR Congo in the last 16.

Burkina Faso beat Sudan 2-0 in the same group to finish second. Third-placed Sudan also advanced to the last 16. This is only the second time they have reached the knockout stage since winning the title in 1970. Sudan’s opponents in the last 16 are strong Senegal. The African Cup of Nations has a break on Thursday and Friday. The knockout stage begins on Saturday.