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The 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) has brought about mixed reactions, consisting of excitement, surprise, joy and disappointment. As 24 teams battled for narrowed spots in the round of 16, the group stages came to a conclusion on Wednesday night, January 24, 2024.
A total of 16 lucky teams have qualified for the round of 16 which will kick off on Saturday, 27 January, 2024. The matchup for this round is even more exciting, as the best teams from the group stage are lined up against one another.
We saw goals, clean sheets, skills, assists, and other football records thrill us in the group stage. Nothing short of this expectation would be witnessed in the round of 16.
In this blog, we will look into each qualified team and predict the qualifying side from each fixture.
The African Cup of Nations defending champions (Senegal) will take up the 2023 AFCON hosts (Ivory Coast). A battle that could go either ways.
one- time AFCON winner (Senegal) will battle for a spot in the quarter finals against 2-time AFCON champions Ivory Coast.
Senegal has been quite successful in the last 2 AFCON tournaments, finishing in Finals and as champions respectively. Their journey in the 2023 AFCON group stage has been incredible, with 3 straight wins with good goal margins. The Senegal side are currently unbeaten and boast of great players like Sadio Mane ,Edouard Mendy (goalkeeper), Kalidou Koulibaly, Nicolas Jackson, and Ismalia Sarr.
Ivory Coast started the competition with a good win against Guinea-Bissau, winning by 2 goals and conceding none. Things went south for the host afterwards, with a 1-0 loss to Nigeria’s Super Eagles FC and a 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea. Fortunately, the Ivorians were able to qualify as the fourth best third-place team, after Zambia lost to Morocco.
Senegal being the favorite and with the better form puts them at an edge over the AFCON host, Ivory Coast.
Prediction: Senegal heads to the quarter finals.
IMG from Goal.com
Three-time AFCON champions (Nigeria) will take on the 5-time winners of the same competition (Cameroon). A tough game to predict.
Nigeria with one draw and 2 wins in the tournament, have raised questionable remarks amongst their supporters who are expecting a better performance for the team. Although, the Super Eagles have proven to always have a way to pull through, against their opponents. Napoli’s Victor Osimhen have had several chances on goal unconverted, yet the expectations for a breakthrough against Cameroon may just be the one for the team.
Cameroon have had a shaky journey through the group stages, although quite impressive. 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss, with their loss against the defending champions, Sengal.
The match between both teams of good, high-paced attacks would definitely be determined by whoever takes and converts chances better.
Prediction: Nigeria to qualify
Angola with 16 AFCON appearances will defend their place against Namibia, who have only qualified for the competition 3 times before this current 2023 AFCON.
Namibia started the group stage, surprising fans and the football world with a 1-0 defeat against Tunisia. Going forward, they had a huge 4-0 loss to South Africa but ended the stage with a no-goal draw against Mali, after a tough performance.
Angola’s group stage results prove that they have a better record than their opponent. Starting with a 1-1 draw against Algeria and stretching their journeys with victories over Mauritania and Burkina Faso, respectively, the Black Antelopes do not seem to be slowing down.
Prediction: Angola to qualify.
Three Guineas started the 2023 AFCON group stage tournament, but only two made it to the round of 16. These two (Equatorial Guinea and Guinea) will battle for the spot of the quarter finals and the last Guinea of this year’s tournament to survive this round.
Equatorial Guinea gave an impressive performance in the group stage with a 4-0 win against the tournament’s host, Ivory Coast, at the final game of the stage. They also won with 4 goals against Guinea-Bissau, although conceding 2 goals. Their only winless game was against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Guinea survived the group stages with a 1-1 draw against Cameroon, a 1-0 win against Gambia and a 2-0 loss to Senegal.
The match between these two will be a tough game. From their previous games, Equatorial Guinea seem to have a very hungry attack, with 9 goals already in the tournament. Although, Guinea could pull off a great defensive work against their opponent and make chances for goals.
Prediction: Equatorial Guinea will qualify
Egypt, with the highest AFCON competition wins (7), had it rough throughout the group stages. The Egyptians were unbeatable, yet they failed to win a single game. Three draws against Mozambique, Ghana, and Cape Verde did not stop the Egyptians from making it to the round of 16. Many
D.R. Congo’s journey through the group stage was similar to their new opponent, Egypt. The Congolese were unbeaten but failed to win a game. An impressive com-back draw against Zambia and Morocco, and a goalless draw against Tanzania.
Two teams with decent defenses and attacks; this game might go into extra time.
Prediction: Egypt to qualify
Cape Verde were impressive in the group stages, kicking it off with an impressive 2-1 win over Ghana’s Black Stars. The Blue Sharks went on to defeat Mozambique 3-0 and qualified with an impressive late minute come-back draw against Egypt.
Mauritania qualified as one of the best third-third place teams with two losses and one win in the group stages.
Prediction: Cape Verde to qualify
Mali began the group stages making a statement with a solid 2-0 win against South Africa. Going forward, the team held on to draw against Tunisia (1-1) and Zambia (0-0). Another unbeaten performance in the African Cup of Nation 2023.
Burkina Faso had a win against Mauritania, held Algeria to a 1-1 draw and lost by 2 goals to Angola.
Prediction: Mali goes through to quarter finals
Morocco displayed high quality football during the world cup 2022 as they were the only African team to reach the semi-finals. The team are also unbeaten in the 2023 AFCON, with two wins and a draw during the group stages.
The ATLAS lions play a compact style of football that enables them to concede little to no goals and they mix in a counter attack, spearheaded by their quick-paced wingers and full backs.
South Africa has also shown a decent performance in the group stage, although they concluded with 1 win, 1 loss and a draw.
Prediction: Morocco will qualify to the next round.
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