10 teams have qualified for the African Cup of Nations knockout rounds scheduled for February 2nd in Ivory Coast.
The hosts, were fancied by many to top Group A alongside 3-time champions Nigeria when the draw was announced, but surprise package, Equatorial Guinea took the group by storm, took the hours topping the group with 7 points after two wins and a draw, which included a 4-0 win over the tournament’s host The Elephants and a 4-2 win over Guinea Bissau.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified alongside them after an undefeated group stage that saw them record a 1-1 draw and narrow 1-0 wins against Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau.
Group B also had its share of upsets, as 7-time champions Egypt narrowly avoided exit from a group that saw Cape Verde smooth sailing with qualification guaranteed with a match to spare.
Egypt drew 2-2 in all their group-stage matches but Ghana’s 2-2 collapse against Mozambique meant the Pharaohs luckily went through. The Black Stars finished with 2 points from three matches in what was a torrid campaign for them.
In Group C, defending champions Senegal booked their place in convincing fashion with dominant wins over Cameroon [3-1] and Gambia [3-0]. Cameroon qualified beside them in their last match as a dramatic 3-2 win over The Gambia got the Indomitable Lions over the line.
Despite finishing third in the group, Guinea qualified as one of the third-placed best teams after finishing the group on 4 points.
Angola and Bukina Faso qualified from Group D.
John Njuguna
