The group stage of the 2023 AFCON came to an end last night with conclusion of groups E & F. Day 12 provided the first goalless draws in the edition. In Group E, Namibia and Mali played out a goalless draw while Tunisia replicated same with South Africa. Tunisia needed a win to remain in Cote d’Ivoire but South Africa held on to reach the last 16.

Cote d’Ivoire would be sending thanksgiving offerings to the Atlas Lions of Morocco after the North Africans defeated Zambia 1-0 in the last match of group F. Hakim Ziyech’s goal meant that Cote d’Ivoire who finished 3rd in group A progressed to the last 16 as one of the best third placed teams.

on Day 11, Algeria were shocked by Mauritania in their final group game and thus finished bottom of Group D. It is uncommon to see 2 North African teams finish bottom of a group in Africa. They usually dominate the club competitions but it seems the increased foreign talents in the AFCON may have skewed the dominance away. That is a discussion for another day.

Nigeria defeated Guinea-Bissau by a lone own goal. Moses Simon’s cross was deflected in the first half to give Nigeria all three points. The Super Eagles finished group A 2nd behind Equatorial Guinea who whitewashed hosts Cote d’Ivoire 4-0 in their final game.

Final Tables

  • Top Scorers
    • Emilio Nsue (Equtorial Guinea) – 5 goals
    • Baghdad Bounedjah (Algeria) – 3 goals
    • Mostafa Mohamed (Egypt) – 3 goals
  • Top Assists
    • Georges-Kevin N’Koudou (Cameroon) – 3 assists
    • Jose Machin (Equatorial Guinea) – 3 assists
  • Most Goals by teams
    • 9 – Equatorial Guinea
    • 8 – Senegal
    • 7 – Cape Verde
  • Fewest Goals conceded by teams
    • 1 – Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Morocco
    • 2 – DR Congo, South Africa
  • Group stage upsets
    • Egypt 2-2 Mozambique
    • Tunisia 0-1 Namibia
    • Algeria 2-2 Burkina Faso
    • Equatorial Guinea 4-0 Cote d’Ivoire
    • Mauritania 1-0 Algeria

In the last 16, Nigeria would face perennial rivals Cameroon on Saturday while Angola will play Namibia. On Sunday, Equatorial Guinea will play Guinea while Egypt will play DR Congo. Hosts Cote d’Ivoire would take the hard route against Senegal on Monday after Cape Verde will play Mauritania. Tuesday wraps up the last 16 ties with a West African derby between Mali and Burkina Faso before Morocco play South Africa.

My last 8 predictions: Angola, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Egypt, Cape Verde, Senegal, Mali and Morocco.