AFCON 2023: Teams through to Round of 16, those who could qualify as best third-placed

The top two teams from each of the six groups will automatically enter the Round of 16, as well as the four best third-placed teams, so there is a real possibility that some big names will be missing.
By Efosa Taiwo

The final round of group games for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is underway.


All teams have played twice, with Group A and Group B already concluded with the three round of games.



5 teams already have advanced to the knockout stages which implies there is still a long way to go and lots of surprises on the road.

The top two teams from each of the six groups will automatically enter the Round of 16, as well as the four best third-placed teams, so there is a real possibility that some big names will be missing.

Here is a rundown, however, of those who have qualified, those who have not, and those who are hoping on the best third-place chances:
WHO HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS ROUND OF 16?Cape Verde
Senegal
Equatorial Guinea
Nigeria
Egypt
WHO HAS BEEN ELIMINATED?Guinea-Bissau
Mozambique
BEST THIRD-PLACED CANDIDATES

Aside Ghana and Ivory Coast who are confirmed third in their group, the other teams in this list could finish third in their respective groups. Although that doesn’t guarantee them a place in the Round of 16 as it all boils down to results from other groups:Ghana
Ivory Coast
Guinea
Angola
Burkina Faso
Mali
Morocco