AFCON Daily: A trio of stalemates in the final day of group-stage matches; Morocco secure top billing in Group F
In today’s AFCON Daily we look over the final group-stage matches from Groups E and F.
This years tournament hadn’t seen any goalless draws until now, three out of the four fixtures concluded with a 0-0 score line. Morocco secured a narrow one-goal victory against Zambia.
Namibia 0–0 Mali
A draw was enough for both Namibia and Mali to see themselves through to the knockout rounds.
The Brave Warriors make history after holding the group winners, Mali, to a draw at the Stade de San Pédro.
Star man Yves Bissouma would start for The Eagles for the first time this tournament.
However it was Namibia who began the livelier of the two, hitting the post in the 15th minute through Prins Tijueza, the rebound was then missed by Peter Shalulile.
Mali eventually found their rhythm, passing the ball around well trying to pick their moment.
In the 27th minute, Youssoufou Niakaté and Fousseni Diabaté linked up nicely to provide a great cross for Lassine Sinayoko who couldn’t glance it in.
Diabaté was definitely the most dangerous player for Mali in the first half.
Mali decide to replace both their starting strikers in the 52nd minute, trying to push for the opening goal.
However it wouldn’t come despite sustained pressure from the Eagles.
The Brave Warriors certainly remained brave to reach the last 16 of the tournament for the first time.
Mali have Burkino Faso in the first knockout game as Namibia are to face Angola.
Max Flanagan
South Africa 0–0 Tunisia
Another stalemate in Group E as South Africa and Tunisia finished 0-0. The final score means South Africa move through as group runners-up and Tunisia go home. Tunisia finish bottom of the group on two points.
The even affair saw both teams create eleven shots and two on target. At the end of the night, a point each was the deserved outcome for both sides.
South Africa’s best chance came in the 27th minute from a Percy Tau cross that Evidence Makgopa could only put wide of the net. Overall, South Africa looked comfortable with a draw to earn their place in the Round of 16.
Tunisia’s best chance to find the winner, and move forward in the tournament, came in the 89th minute as substitute Haythem Jouini headed a close-range cross over the bar. In the end, neither side could find the breakthrough, leaving both sides in the same group placements as they started the night.
South Africa will face Morocco on 30 January.
Julia Andersen
Zambia 0–1 Morocco
Morocco closed out a 1-0 win over Zambia to top Group F, thanks to a Hakim Ziyech goal, knocking Zambia out of the tournament in the process.
Morocco will go on to face Group E runners-up South Africa in the round of 16.
After two draws against the other two Group E competitors, DR Congo and Tanzania, Zambia needed a win to progress or even a draw, which would have bettered Ivory Coast’s third-place finish on goal difference.
The goal came not long before the half-time interval as Achraf Hakimi controlled a lofted pass, by first-time squaring it across the box.
The ball was parried by Zambia goalkeeper Tresford Lawrence Mulenga right into the path of Ziyech, who smashed in the finishing touch from a few yards out.
The goal scorer had to be subbed off at half-time though, with a reported ankle injury.
This didn’t stop Morocco from looking threatening, with Sofiane Boufal feeding Amine Adli for one such opportunity in the box but on this occasion the low-driven shot was well saved.
The best chance of a Zambia equaliser was late on when Emmanuel Banda unleashed a long-range strike that was dipping into the centre of the goal if not well tipped over by Bono.
Eduardo Tansley
Tanzania 0–0 DR Congo
The DR Congo edge through to the knockout rounds after it ended goalless against the Taifa Stars who are out of the tournament.
The match was uneventful, with both sides lacking clear chances to break the deadlock in their first-ever Nations Cup finals encounter.
The first real chance came half an hour in after Yoanne Wissa threaded through a great pass to Fiston Mayele who couldn’t convert.
The Leopards were overall the more dominant team throughout the game but they failed to capitalise on their opportunities.
Wissa came close in the 80th minute but it was tipped over by the Tanzanian keeper.
A point was all that was needed for The Leopards who advance on to play Egypt in the round of 16.
Max Flanagan
