The Africa Cup of Nations has gone into full swing, and so far, it has brought excitement, shock and controversy.
The group stage matches end tomorrow, and while some teams have produced brilliant displays that have landed them spots in the round of 16, others wait with bated breath to know their fate.
The top two teams each will qualify from the six groups. Also, four of the best third-placed teams will qualify.
Soccernet gives an update of the teams that have qualified for the next round of the AFCON.
Group A
Group A has already been concluded, with Cameroon qualifying as group leaders with seven points, while Burkina Faso follow in second place with four points.
Cape Verde, who sit in third place, have a very good chance of qualifying for the next round because they have 4 points, although they would hope that the results in the other groups favour them.
Group B
This group has also been concluded. Senegal, on five points, qualify as group leaders. Guinea have also sealed their spot as they finished second with four points.
However, Malawi stand a very good chance of qualifying, as they finished third with four points.
Group C
Morocco have qualified for the next round with seven points, and Gabon finished in second place with 5 points.
Comoros finished in third place after their heroics against Ghana, but the Coelecanths are in a dire situation as they have only three points. It would take nothing short of a miracle for Comoros to progress.
Group D
Nigeria topped the group with nine points after winning all three of their games, Egypt follow in second with six points.
However, Sudan can not qualify as a third-best team as they have only 1 point.
Group E
The group is still very open. Ivory Coast currently sit top with four points, Equatorial Guinea with three points are second, Sierra Leone are third with two points, and Algeria are rock bottom with one point.
However, that could change rapidly, as a victory for Algeria against Ivory Coast would guarantee them a spot in the round of 16.
At the same time, Ivory Coast would be placed in second or third depending on the result of Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Also, the winner in the game between Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone would be guaranteed a spot in the next round.
Nonetheless, anything short of a win for Algeria means they are out. And a draw for Equatorial Guinea would leave them in third place at worst.
Group F
This group is also not concluded yet. Gambia and Mali sit first and second with four points each, Tunisia with three points sit third, while Mauritania have 0 points.
A win for Tunisia against the Gambia would guarantee them a place in the round of 16. If Mali beat Mauritania, they would top the group with seven points, leaving the Gambia in third position.
However, if both games end in draws, Gambia and Mali would progress, while Tunisia would hope to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams with four points.
This post was last modified on January 23, 2022 3:10 pm