At a Glance
- Morocco’s Atlas Lions top Group A, Mali also advance.
- Nigeria’s Super Eagles win Group C, Tanzania also progress.
- Several teams qualify for last 16, knockout set for Saturday.
- Why it matters: The group stage determines the teams that will compete for Africa’s top football honor and sets up matchups for the knockout rounds.
The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations wrapped up its group stage on Wednesday, with Morocco’s Atlas Lions and Nigeria’s Super Eagles emerging as standout performers. Six teams have secured spots in the last 16, while the tournament’s knockout phase is slated to begin on Saturday.
Group A & B Highlights
Morocco led Group A, topping the standings, while Mali advanced on three draws. In Group B, Egypt secured first place and South Africa finished as runners-up.
- Morocco (Atlas Lions) – Group A winner
- Mali – Qualified on three draws
- Egypt – Group B winner
- South Africa – Group B runner-up
Group C & D Highlights
Nigeria topped Group C, with Tunisia as runner-up and Tanzania reaching the knockout stage for the first time. In Group D, Senegal finished top, Congo next, and Benin secured a spot after a win over Botswana.
- Nigeria (Super Eagles) – Group C winner
- Tunisia – Group C runner-up
- Tanzania – Qualified for last 16
- Senegal – Group D winner
- Congo – Group D runner-up
- Benin – Qualified after win over Botswana
| Group | Winner | Runner-up | Qualified Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Morocco | Mali | Morocco, Mali |
| B | Egypt | South Africa | Egypt, South Africa |
| C | Nigeria | Tunisia | Nigeria, Tunisia, Tanzania |
| D | Senegal | Congo | Senegal, Congo, Benin |
| E | Algeria | Burkina Faso | Algeria, Burkina Faso, Sudan |
| F | Ivory Coast | Cameroon | Ivory Coast, Cameroon |
Group E & F Highlights
Algeria topped Group E, with Burkina Faso as runner-up and Sudan advancing to the last 16. In Group F, Ivory Coast and Cameroon secured their places in the knockout rounds.
- Algeria (Fennec Foxes) – Group E winner
- Burkina Faso – Group E runner-up
- Sudan – Qualified for last 16
- Ivory Coast – Group F winner
- Cameroon – Group F winner
Key Takeaways
- Morocco and Nigeria lead the tournament, having topped their groups.
- Six teams have qualified for the last 16, setting up Saturday’s knockout matches.
- First-time qualifiers include Tanzania and Benin, adding new excitement to the competition.
The group stage sets the stage for a thrilling knockout phase, with the top teams ready to vie for the continental crown.
