Hosts Ivory Coast have to worry about reaching the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations. Egypt, on the other hand, is in the round of 16.
After the disastrous 0:4 (0:1) on Monday evening (January 22nd, 2024), the team around the unused Leverkusen defender Odilon Kossounou only finished the preliminary round Group A in third place. The goals for Equatorial Guinea, who emerged as group winners, were scored by Emilio Nsue (42nd minute, 75th), Pablo Ganet (73rd) and Jannick Buyla (88th).
The Ivory Coast must now hope to be one of the four best third-place teams after completing the other five preliminary round groups. Then coach Jean-Louis Gasset’s team would also move into the round of 16 despite the meager return of three points (2:5 goals). As early as 1984, when the country also hosted the Africa Cup of Nations, it was over after the preliminary round.
Equatorial Guinea’s Luis Nlavo (l.) in a duel with Evan Ndicka (r.) from Ivory Coast
Nigeria is also in the round of 16
Nigeria secured second place in Group A with a narrow 1-0 (1-0) win against Guinea-Bissau. However, the only goal was not scored by a Nigerian, it was an own goal by Grandpa Sangante (36th).
Three games, three points – but Egypt is through
Decisions were also made in Group B on matchday 3. Egypt drew 2-2 (0-1) against Cape Verde, who were already group winners before the game. Benchimol (45th+1) and Bryan Texeira (90th+9) scored for Cape Verde, while Trezeguet (50th) and Mostafa Mohamed (90th+3) were successful for Egypt. With three points, Egypt is second in the group and is in the round of 16.
Worry about Salah
Mohamed Salah didn’t play, he is injured. After the game, Salah was due to travel back to England to receive treatment. His club Liverpool FC said the injury was… “more serious than initially thought”. The 31-year-old injured his thigh in last Thursday’s preliminary round game against Ghana (2-2) and was substituted before half-time. It is questionable whether he will be used again at the Africa Cup.
Third-placed Ghana could also progress after a 2-2 (1-0) draw against Mozambique. Jordan Ayew scored twice for Ghana (15th, 70th), Geny Catamo (90th+1) and Reinildo (90th+4) were successful for Mozambique in stoppage time.
Mozambique was eliminated in fourth place, Ghana two points and a goal difference of 5:6 could actually be enough to make it to the round of 16. For this to happen, the selection would have to be one of the four best third-place teams in the group.
