Record seven-time champion Egypt beat neighboring Sudan 1-0 to secure its place in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 while taking five other countries including Ivory Coast through as well.
Nigeria finished Group D with a third successive win as it beat Guinea-Bissau 2-0, leaving runner-up Egypt to face the winner of Group E in the next round and a potential clash with the Ivorians.
Mohamed Abdelmonem’s header at a corner 10 minutes before half time in Yaounde sent the Pharaohs through and eliminated Sudan, and also saw Ivory Coast, Mali, Gambia, Malawi and Cape Verde qualify without kicking a ball.
“I think Egypt deserved to win this game without any doubt given the opportunities we created and the football we played,” said Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz.
“Our sin was not to score the second goal. If you score the second goal the game is finished. I will say it very clear, if I’ll be able to win all the games 1-0 till the end I will be happy.”
Egypt’s victory guaranteed Cape Verde and Malawi will qualify as two of the four best third-placed sides. Ivory Coast leads Group E with four points and can finish no lower than third regardless of its result Thursday against reigning champion Algeria.
The same applies to Gambia and Mali in Group F. Both nations have four points from two games.
Three-time former winner Nigeria continued its fine start to the competition by sweeping aside Guinea-Bissau courtesy of second-half goals from Umar Sadiq and captain William Troost-Ekong. -Agencies
