By Charles Biddeng
ABIDJAN, Jan. 27 – Focus will today shift to the knock-out stage of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.
To kick start the last group of 16 will see surprise package Angola face Namibia in a clash of COSAFA teams at the Stade de la Paix.
The second match the same day which also promise to be a thriller will pitch West African side Nigeria and Cameroon at the Felix Houphouët Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
On Sunday the Pharoahs of Egypt will battle DR Congo, while Equatorial Guinea led by veteran forward Emilio Lopez Nsue, who already has five goals in the tournament will take on Guinea the same day.
The defending champions Senegal who completed the group stage winning all the three matches and netting eight goals will take to the pitch on Monday against hosts Ivory Coast.
Sadio Mane who has netted one goal and Lamine Camara who has already scored two goals in the tournament will lead Senegal against the hosts in a match to take place at the Felix Houphouët Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
But before Senegal take to the field, Cape Verde will also take on Mauritania.
On Tuseady another clash of West African teams will see Mali face Burkina Faso, while Moroco, the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi finalists and one of the favorites face a tricky South Africa.
Already 89 goals have been scored in 36 matches, for an average of 2.47 goals per match.
