AFCON 2019 Group Stage results: Who’s moving on to the knockout rounds?

The group stages of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations drew to a close on Tuesday. Here’s a group-by-group roundup of which nations progressed.

The group stages of the first-ever 24-team Africa Cup of Nations has ended with sixteen nations confirmed for the knockout rounds. There were 68 goals scored across the six groups, seven of which came from the penalty spot (as many as in the entire 2017 edition) and three nations qualified with a 100 percent win record.

Here’s the full roundup.

Group A

Host nation Egypt have enjoyed the perfect Africa Cup of Nations campaign thus far. The record seven-time champions won all three of their group stage matches against Zimbabwe, DR Congo and Uganda. Mohamed Salah and captain Ahmed Elmohamedy both scored twice while keeper Mohamed El Shanawy and his defensive line ensured that Egypt progressed without having conceded a goal.

Egypt are followed into the knockout rounds by Uganda who recorded a win and draw against DR Congo and Zimbabwe respectively. Striker Emmanuel Okwi scored in both matches. DR Congo have also progressed as one of the four best third-placed teams after a brace from Cedric Bakambu inspired them to a big win in their final match against Zimbabwe.

PROGRESSING: Egypt, Uganda & DR Congo

Group B

To the surprise of many, AFCON newcomers Madagascar topped group B ahead of Nigeria and Guinea after going through the group stages unbeaten. The Malagasy opened their campaign with a draw against the latter before claiming wins over Burundi and Nigeria to secure their progression.

Nigeria followed close behind with two wins of their own while Guinea progress as one of the best placed third teams after beating Burundi in their final match. Mohamed Yattara scored both goals for Guinea in that match and — alongside the aforementioned Salah, Elmohamedy, Okwi and Bakambu —  is one of eleven players leading the goal scoring charts with two goals to his name.

PROGRESSING: Madagascar, Nigeria, Guinea

Group C

One of the pre-tournament favorites, Algeria made light work of Group C by winning all three of their matches against Senegal, Kenya and Tanzania. The 1990 champions scored six goals (joint-most with Mali) and did not concede a single goal en route to claiming top spot. Their most impressive result came in their final match when Islam Slimani and Adam Ounas combined for all three goals in a 3-0 win over Tanzania.

Senegal earned second spot in the group by winning their other two matches, including a 3-0 win of their own over Kenya in which Sadio Mane scored twice. That result had dire consequences for the Kenyans who ultimately fell just short of South Africa on goal difference for a spot in the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.

PROGRESSING: Algeria, Senegal

Group D

The “Group of Death” lived up to its billing with a number of close encounters. Apart from Ivory Coast’s 4-1 win over Namibia in the final match, all of the other five matches in the group were decided by a solitary goal.

Morocco ultimately came out on top after winning all three of their matches — the third of the three nations to have progressed with a 100 percent win record — but only after securing late winners over both Namibia and South Africa. Despite losing to both Morocco and Ivory Coast, South Africa qualified as one of the best third-placed teams thanks to their 1-0 win over Namibia. The Ivorians qualified second.

PROGRESSING: Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa

Group E

Mali were runaway leaders in Group E after claiming wins over Mauritania and Angola and taking a point against Tunisia. No other team won a single match in the group, with the remaining matches all ending in stalemates. Tunisia ultimately ended second as the only nation to have taken a point off Malians with Angola and Mauritania both missing out on even a best third place finish.

PROGRESSING: Mali, Tunisia

Group F

Group F was one of the most tightly contested groups at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Ghana and Cameroon ended level on points and goal difference, with the nations separated only by goals scored. The Ghanaians came out on top in this regard with four goals to Cameroon’s two and accordingly topped the group.

Just two points behind, Benin qualified as one of the best third placed teams while Guinea-Bissau head home after collecting just a single point. Ghana’s Jordan Ayew and Benin’s Mickael Pote both scored two goals each.

PROGRESSING: Ghana, Cameroon, Benin

The full fixture list for the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 can be viewed below.

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