Ivory Coast’s national team secures a spot in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations as the fourth-best team after the conclusion of the group stage, completing the roster of sixteen nations progressing to this stage.
The narrow path to qualification unfolded after the conclusion of Group Six matches, where Morocco defeated Zambia by a solitary goal, and Congo drew with Tanzania in a goalless match.
This result allowed only Morocco and Congo to advance to the next round, leaving Zambia and Tanzania unable to secure the third ticket, having accumulated only two points each.
Ivory Coast, with three points, narrowly clinched the coveted spot.
In the wake of this development, the Ivorian Football Federation officially announced the dismissal of French coach Jean-Louis Gasset due to the team’s disappointing performance in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations hosted in Ivory Coast.
In an official statement, the Ivorian Federation revealed that Gasset is no longer the head coach of the Elephants due to the unsatisfactory results in the tournament.
In response, they appointed Emerse Faé, the coach of the Olympic team, as Gasset’s successor, contingent on the Elephants’ continued participation in the championship.
Guinea Equatorial’s national team achieved a historic victory over the Ivory Coast, the tournament’s host, with a resounding 4-0 win in the third-round match of Group One in the Africa Cup of Nations.
With this victory, Guinea Equatorial secured a place in the Round of 16, topping Group One.
Meanwhile, Ivory Coast awaits a miraculous turn of events to secure qualification as one of the best third-placed teams in the groups.
The standings in Group One after the conclusion of the third round are as follows: Guinea Equatorial leads with 7 points, Nigeria follows closely with the same points, while Ivory Coast, playing at home, sits in third place with 3 points.
Guinea-Bissau remains at the bottom of the group with zero points.
The draw for the Round of 16 will see the Group One leader face the third-placed team from Group Three, Four, or Five, while the group runner-up will contend with the second-placed team from Group Three.
The third-placed team in Group One might face the winner of Group Two or Three.
Scheduled to commence from January 27 to January 30, 2024, the matches of the Round of 16 will take place at 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM, as designated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
This stage promises intensified competition as teams vie for a coveted spot in the quarterfinals.
