Ivory Coast saved, Cameroon-Nigeria shock… Full schedule for Round of 16

If Ivory Coast is saved from a humiliating defeat at home in the first round, other favorite teams fail in the African Cup, such as Algeria and Tunisia, before the round of 16, with two setbacks in the program: host country against Cameroon-Nigeria and the Senegalese holder. Nothing to brag about, Ivory Coast moves into the 16th and last qualifier, thanks to Morocco’s win over Zambia (1-0).

The “Elephants”, drafted at the last minute, were the most spectacular failure of Algeria, who were eliminated in the first round for the second time in a row. The 2019 African champions offered Mauritania their first ever victory (1-0) and qualification for the Round of 16. Algeria coach Jamel Belmadi, a hero four and a half years ago, was sacked after this fiasco.

His Tunisian neighbor also missed out on his CAN, finishing last in the group in which he was ranked by scoring just one goal in the tournament, against Mali (1-1), who will play the African derby. West against Burkina Faso in the round of 16. Finally, Ghana, four-time African champions in the past, suffered their second straight defeat, as did Algeria. “Black Stars” may have many regrets, they conceded four goals in extra time… Their captain Andre Ayew equaled Cameroonian Rigobert Song’s record of matches played in CAN, 36, but he will not be beaten. At least not in 2024.

Good surprise

There were also good surprises, especially with the Portuguese speaking, with the first group places secured by Cape Verde and its striker Bebe, a good scorer, and Angola. The Cape Verde Blue Sharks will face Amir Abduna’s Morabitons in the round of 16 individually for the second consecutive round after Comoros two years ago. Angola will face Namibia, who, like Mauritania, will seek the Round of 16.

safe values

In a CAN that has developed very good football, some big names still hold their status, starting with holders Senegal, who overcame their old Cameroonian complex by beating the “Invincible Lions” (3-1) and other big favourites. , Morocco, which suspended its coach Walid Regragui for two matches for an altercation with Chancelle Mbemba after the match against Congo. “Lions of the Atlas” will play against South Africa.

Egypt went through the back door, and having lost its leader Mohamed Salah, injured, will challenge Mbemba’s DRC. Nigeria also took responsibility and will meet Cameroon for the best poster of the 8th final. The Super Eagles and the Indomitable Lions have faced each other three times in the past in the CAN finals with Cameroon winning each time (1984, 1988 and 2000). The five-time African champions were not convincing in the game this year, but they still have that warrior mentality that saw them beat Gambia (3-2) in the last minutes. In the end, Equatorial Guinea confirmed their excellent CAN in Cameroon by winning their group and will try to return to the quarter-finals against Guinea.

Schedule for Round of 16:

27 January Saturday
Angola-Namibia (6pm)
Nigeria-Cameroon (9 pm)

28 January Sunday
Equatorial Guinea-Guinea (6 pm)
Egypt-DR Congo (9 pm)

29 January Monday
Cape Verde-Mauritania (6pm)
Senegal-Ivory Coast (9 pm)

Tuesday 30 January
Mali-Burkina Faso (6pm)
Morocco-South Africa (9 pm)