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[Analysis] AFCON enters knockout stages: Group stage goals, points tally, fun facts

[Analysis] AFCON enters knockout stages: Group stage goals, points tally, fun facts
Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban

Gabon

The ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon is taking shape as the number of teams has now been whittled down to half the original number. Eight teams enter the elimination stage of the competition.

We analyze each of the four groups based on a number of factors. The number of goals scored, the number of points accrued by teams and also look at some fun facts that has resulted from the games this far.

But before that, here is the complete quarter-final list after all group games have been dispatched:

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 came up to 62, whiles total number of goals scored was 52.

Group A – Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gabon, Guinea Bissau

At the end of the Group fixtures, hosts Gabon failed to advance even though they exited without losing a game, they picked up a point in all three games but it was not enough to guarantee them qualification to the next round.

Total points accrued by teams = 14
Goals scored = 11

Fun Fact : They are the first hosts to crash out of the tournament this early since 1994.

Gabon’s captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said: “Today we had everything to qualify, we had opportunities. Unfortunately there are days like this where things don’t work out, like my first chance two meters from the goal.”

Group B – Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, Zimbabwe

The Terranga Lions of Senegal took a commanding lead in the Group with two wins before drawing their last fixture two-all with Algeria. The draw meant that Algeria – one of the pre tournament favorites had to bow out of the tournament.

Total points accrued by teams = 16
Goals scored = 21

Fun Fact: 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.

Group C – DR Congo, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Togo

The biggest upset of the tournament came in Group C when defending champions Ivory Coast were knocked out on Day 11. Michel Dussuyer’s side fell to the man who led the Elephants to lift the trophy barely a year ago.

The Ivorians prior to facing Herve Renard’s Morocco had yet to lose a game. They had earlier drawn with Togo and DR Congo, the Congolese eventually topped the group and advanced with Morocco.

Total points accrued by teams = 16
Goals scored = 14

Fun Fact: The Ivorians played approximately 270 minutes of football but managed just two points and 2 goals.

GROUP D – Egypt, Ghana, Mali, Uganda

Ghana aimed for a 100% Group record but that was not to be as Mohammed Salah’s 10th minute strike in their game in Port Gentil on match day 12 lifted the Egyptians to the top of the group and consigned the Black Stars to their first defeat at the AFCON.

Avram Grant’s side had previously won games against Mali and Uganda whiles Egypt beat Uganda and drew with Mali. Both teams advanced whiles Uganda and Mali bow out.

Total points accrued by teams = 16
Goals scored = 6

Fun Fact: 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.

Click here to follow our full coverage of the AFCON 2017

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