As the AFCON 2023 group stage concludes on Monday, January 22, the spotlight falls on Ivory Coast and Ghana, both facing pivotal encounters that will determine their fate in the tournament.
In Group A, Ivory Coast is set to clash with Equatorial Guinea, while simultaneously Guinea-Bissau takes on Nigeria.
The Ivory Coast, with three points from two matches, finds itself in a must-win situation to secure passage to the round of 16.
Equatorial Guinea, boasting four points, can opt for a draw to secure advancement, intensifying the stakes in this critical match.
Similarly, Nigeria, with three points, only requires a draw against Guinea-Bissau to confirm their berth in the next round.
The simultaneous kick-offs in Group A promise a dramatic culmination to the group stage, with teams battling for progression.
In Group B’s late fixtures at 10 p.m., Cape Verde faces Egypt, and Mozambique takes on Ghana.
While Cape Verde has already secured qualification, the same cannot be said for Egypt, Ghana, and Mozambique.
Egypt, with two points after two matches, faces the challenge of playing without Mohamed Salah. A victory against Cape Verde is imperative for Egypt’s progression.
Ghana, with just one point from two outings, confronts Mozambique, knowing that a win is essential.
The Black Stars must also hope that Egypt does not secure victory to bolster their chances of direct qualification.
The Monday program unfolds as follows:
Group A (5 p.m.):
Equatorial Guinea vs. Ivory Coast
Guinea-Bissau vs. Nigeria
Group B (10 p.m.):
– Cape Verde vs. Egypt
– Mozambique vs. Ghana
The simultaneous kickoff times and high-stakes scenarios ensure a captivating climax to the group stage, with teams striving for victory to advance in the AFCON 2023 tournament.
