The final group stage games of this year’s African Cup of Nations is scheduled to take place this week.
After an action packed first two games, there is still a lot to be decided – with Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Cameroon’s Andre Onana at risk of being dumped out of the competition.
The top two teams from each group will qualify automatically, while the four best third place nations will also secure their place in the last-16.
Senegal are the current holders of the competition following their win over seven-times winners Egypt back in 2021.
And so, Mail Sport breaks down the Africa Cup of Nations and when Premier League players could return.
The final group stage games of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations will take place this week
Senegal made history as they won AFCON for the first time with a 4-2 win over Egypt on penalties in 2021
Group A
Three teams have emerged as contenders for the two automatic spots for the next round of the tournament.
Hosts Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea will all battle it out for a place in the next round.
Equatorial Guinea currently sit top of the group and are unbeaten in their first two games – with one win and one draw.
Nigeria, who sit second, are also on four points following their big win over Ivory Coast on matchday two of the tournament. A draw in their final game against Guinea Bissau will secure their place in the last 16. However, should the Super Eagles win their final game and Equatorial Guinea fail to beat Ivory Coast, Jose Peseiro’s side will top Group A.
A draw against hosts Ivory Coast will book Equatorial Guinea’s place in the knockout stages. A win will see them top the group, however, if both teams finish level on points, the side with the higher goal difference will finish top.
Hosts Ivory Coast will finish in third if they draw against Equatorial Guinea on four points. They will advance through as one of the best third place teams – but ideally need all three points tonight.
Should Ivory Coast fail to qualify, Nottingham Forest will certainly benefit the most from their exit. Nuno Espirito Santos currently has three players (Serge Aurier, Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangare) away on AFCON duty for the hosts.
The last Group A games is as follows:
- Equatorial Guinea vs Ivory Coast (January 22) – 5pm
- Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria (January 22) – 5pm
Equatorial Guinea currently top Group A – but are level on points with Nigeria
Ivory Coast need a win against Equatorial Guinea to book their place in the last 16
Group B
With two wins from their opening two games Cape Verde secured their spot in the knockout round.
The race for the final automatic place will interest many fans, including Liverpool supporters.
Mohamed Salah is planning to return to Merseyside to be treated by Liverpool’s club doctors after an injury suffered playing for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations – but he could still feature in the tournament in the Ivory Coast if he recovers in time – with the forward set to miss two matches
Salah limped off in the first half of the Pharaohs’ 2-2 draw with Ghana on Thursday night and, despite initially clutching his hamstring, the Egypt FA confirmed the 31-year-old had suffered a strain in his posterior muscle.
It comes as a huge blow to Egypt – who sit second in Group B – having drawn their opening two games.
A win for Egypt against Cape Verde will book their place in the next stage. A draw may be enough – but would need Mozambique vs Ghana to also end in a draw.
If Ghana fail to beat Mozambique and Egypt beat Cape Verde, the likes of Mohamed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo and Tariq Lamptey will all return to England immediately.
The last Group B games is as follows:
- Cape Verde vs Egypt – January 22 – 8pm
- Mozambique vs Ghana – January 22 – 8pm
Cape Verde booked their place in the knockout stages following their win over Mozambique
Egypt will be eliminated if they fail to beat Cape Verde and Ghana beat Mozambique
Group C
Following their win over Cameroon, Senegal have booked their place in the last-16 stage. They currently top Group C with two wins from as many games.
It means Chelsea and Tottenham will be without Nicolas Jackson and Pape Matar Sarr respectively for a little longer, while Premier League stars Idrissa Gueye, Fode Ballo-Toure, Moussa Niakhate and Cheikhou Kouyate will also still play a role for the current holders of the competition.
Guinea currently sit second in the table, three points above Cameroon. Senegal only need a draw against Guinea to secure top spot, while the result will also favour Guinea – who will book their place in second.
They could top the group, providing they beat Senegal – but Cameroon are in real trouble. With just the one point so far, they will need to beat Gambia and hope Senegal beat Guinea in order to qualify in second.
It means Andre Onana could return to Manchester United this week – having arrived at the tournament late.
The final Group C games is as follows:
- Gambia vs Cameroon (January 23) – 5pm
- Guinea vs Senegal (January 23) – 5pm
Sadio Mane’s Senegal secured their place in the next round following their 3-1 win against Cameroon
Andre Onana’s Cameroon are at risk of being eliminated from the tournament
Group D
Angola and Burkina Faso are currently level on four points, while Algeria sit in third place with two points to their name.
The winner of Angola’s showdown with Burkina Faso – will secure top spot. A loss for either side could see them finish in third place – providing Algeria win their game against.
It means Wolves’ star defender Rayan Ait-Nouri and Sheffield United’s Yasser Larouci will remain in the competition for the time being.
Whether Angola or Burkina Faso finish in third with four points, it should be enough to see them finish as one of the best third place teams.
Mauritania cannot progress through the two automatic places having lost their opening two games – but a win over Algeria could see them qualify as one of the best third place teams.
The final Group D games is as follows:
- Mauritania vs Algeria (January 23) – 8pm
- Angola vs Burkina Faso (January 23) – 8pm
Angola sit top of Group D – but are level on points with Burkina Faso – while Algeria sit third
Algeria must be Mauritania in their final game to qualify and hope either Angola or Burkina Faso drop points
Group E
Things look very tight in Group D, with Mali currently top of the group on four points following their 1-1 draw with Tunisia on Matchday 2.
South Africa, who currently sit second, secured their first win of the group stages in their last game against Namibia
Providing they win their final group stage game against Tunisia, Bafana Bafana will progress through to the last-16 stage.
Mali only need a point against Namibia to book their place in the knockout stages. A win against the Brave Warriors will see them finish as Group E winners.
A win for Namibia against Mali will be enough to reach the next stage. A draw could see them qualify – providing Tunisia beat South Africa in the other game.
If Bafana Bafana beat Tunisia in their group finale, it will guarantee them an automatic spot in the last 16.
A draw will be enough for them as well – as long as Namibia fail to beat Mali.
With Mali on the cusp of securing their place in the knockout stages, it means Tottenham will still be without Yves Bissouma in midfield for the time being.
The final Group E games is as follows:
- Namibia vs Mali (January 24)
- South Africa vs Tunisia (January 24)
Mali only need a point from their game against Namibia to qualify for the last 16
If South Africa beat Tunisia in their group finale, it will guarantee them an automatic spot in the last 16
Group F
Following their 1-1 draw against against DR Congo, Walid Regragui’s side still sit at the top of Group F on four points, two points ahead of DR Congo.
Zambia are also on two points after their recent draw against Tanzania.
Morocco will qualify for the next round as long as they avoid a defeat against Zambia, who need a win to progress through to the last-16.
Tanzania can only reach the knockout stages if they beat DR Congo on the same day – and Morocco beat Zambia.
A win for DR Congo against Zambia will see them advance through to the next round.
Premier League stars Nayef Aguerd and Sofyan Amrabat are currently representing Morocco, while Brentford talisman Yoane Wissa is with DR Congo. It is likely that all three players will be featuring in the knocout stages of the African Cup of Nations.
The final Group F games is as follows:
- Zambia vs Morocco (January 24)
- Tanzania vs DR Congo (January 24)
Morocco currently top Group F – but are closely followed by DR Congo and Zambia
Morocco will qualify for the next round as long as they avoid a defeat against Zambia
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