The Africa Cup of Nations witnessed intense competition in the second round of group matches, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the initial phase in the Ivory Coast. South Africa secured their first points with a dominant performance against Namibia, adding excitement to the qualification permutations.
As teams jostle for positions, only two countries have secured a place in the last-16, making the final group matches crucial for advancement. With simultaneous games underway, Groups A and B will conclude on Monday, followed by Groups C and D on Tuesday, and the last two groups on Wednesday.
In Group A, Nigeria clinched a morale-boosting victory against hosts Ivory Coast, while Equatorial Guinea surprised with a hat-trick from Emilio Nsue, securing their leadership. Group B witnessed an exciting clash between Ghana and Egypt, resulting in a 2-2 draw, while Cape Verde Islands claimed the top spot with a convincing 3-0 win over Mozambique.
Senegal continued their winning streak in Group C by defeating Cameroon 3-1, guaranteeing a top-two finish. Guinea secured a 1-0 win over Gambia to move to four points. Group D showcased thrilling encounters, with Algeria salvaging a draw against Burkina Faso, and Angola overcoming Mauritania in a high-scoring 3-2 affair.
In Group E, South Africa revived their campaign with a resounding 4-0 victory over Namibia, featuring standout performances from Themba Zwane and Percy Tau. Mali maintained their top position with a 1-1 draw against Tunisia.
In Group F, Morocco missed an opportunity to secure their place, drawing against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Zambia faced adversity with a red card but salvaged a late draw against Tanzania. The competition intensifies as teams strive for knockout stage berths, creating anticipation for the final group matches.
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