AFCON enters knockout phase as group stage wraps up

The ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon enters the knockout phase as action on Day 12 ended on Wednesday evening.

Egypt beat Ghana to top Group D, with that result the Pharoahs advance with the Black Stars into the quarter finals whiles Mali and Uganda who played out a one all draw exit the competition.

With the last group matches played, the full list of quarter final games are now known. As per competition regulations winners in Group A play runners up in Group B and vice versa. Whiles Groups C and D also match up the same way.

The complete quarter-final list is as follows:

Burkina Faso (Group A winners) vs. Tunisia (Runner up in Group B)
Senegal (Group B winners) vs. Cameroon (Runner up in Group A)
DR Congo (Group C winners) vs. Ghana (Runner up in Group D)
Egypt (Group D winners) vs. Tunisia (Runner up in Group C)

Total points by all teams in the 12 matches came up to 62, whiles total number of goals scored was 52. Gabon are the first hosts to crash out of the tournament this early since 1994.

Group D turned out to be the ‘meanest’ when it comes to letting in goals. Egypt and Ghana scored two goals each in their games whiles Mali and Uganda also scored a goal each. The Ivorians played approximately 270 minutes of football but managed just two points and 2 goals.

Group B recorded the highest number of goals at this stage and also for a game at the tournament this far. Six goals were produced in the Tunisia – Zimbabwe clash. Tunisia remain the only team so far to hit four goals in a group game.