The dramatic outcomes of Mozambique vs. Ghana and Cape Verde vs. Egypt led to the qualification of 5 teams for the Round of 16 without even stepping onto the field.
Teams from Morocco, Guinea, Angola, Burkina Faso, and Mali secured their spots in the knockout stages by accumulating 4 points each so far.
According to the competition format, the group winners, runners-up, and the best 4 third-placed teams advance to the next stage.
Following the conclusion of Group A, with Ivory Coast securing third place with three points, and Group B, with Ghana finishing third with two points.
The four points obtained by Morocco, Guinea, Angola, Burkina Faso, and Mali ensured their progression to the knockout rounds, potentially as one of the best four third-placed teams (provided they do not finish at the bottom of the standings).
This scenario applies to Egypt, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria, who already secured qualification from the top two spots in their respective groups, and Senegal, who finished third.
In a match where Egypt drew 2-2 against Cape Verde, Mustafa Mohamed gave Egypt a late lead in the 93rd minute, only for Cape Verde to equalize in the ninth minute of added time.
Meanwhile, Ghana, despite comfortably leading against Mozambique with two penalties from Jordan Ayew, conceded two goals in the 91st and 94th minutes, resulting in a 2-2 draw.
Cape Verde topped the group with seven points, while Egypt secured the second spot despite accumulating only three points from three draws, edging out Ghana, which finished third on goal difference ahead of Mozambique with two points.
