The Africa Cup of Nations is about to reach its climax, as we’re down to 16 teams. The big boys have had their way thus far, and several upstarts have joined them in the knockouts. For sure, football fans will get to see more Africa Cup of Nations 2026 highlights as we dive deeper into the continental tournament.
Morocco, Mali, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Senegal, DR Congo, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon claimed the Top 2 berths from their respective groups. Mozambique, Benin, Sudan, and Tanzania sneaked in, despite finishing third, with Angola and Comoros barely missing out.
Meanwhile, Gabon are arguably the biggest losers of the tournament, and their poor showing left a bitter taste in their countrymen’s mouths as they return home.
The SBOTOP Africa Cup of Nations 2026 odds actually don’t have a clear favourite, which means we’re in for a thrilling finish before the end of the month.
Algeria and Nigeria set the benchmark
Algeria and Nigeria were the only two nations that boasted a 100-per cent record in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage. Algeria dominated Group E, cruising past Burkina Faso, Sudan, and Equatorial Guinea with a healthy goal difference of +6. On the other hand, Nigeria did the same in Group C against Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda, although they never secured a shutout win.
Nigeria entered the tournament as one of the heavy favourites, given their collective firepower. Ademola Lookman and Raphael Onyedika’s goals buoyed the Super Eagles, with the former scoring the winner against Tanzania and against Tunisia, and the latter bagging a brace against Uganda. Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Semi Ajayi, and Paul Onuachu were also on the scoresheet.
Riyad Mahrez, a frontrunner for the tournament’s Golden Boot, set the tone for Algeria by bagging a brace against Sudan and scoring the winning penalty against Burkina Faso. Ibrahim Maza added two goals, while Zineddine Belaid and Fares Chaibi were also on the scoresheet for the Fennecs, who failed to make it out of their group two years ago.
Morocco, Egypt, Senegal, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon also came out of their groups unbeaten. However, all of them dropped points at some point during the group stage.
Morocco making their home fans proud
Morocco fans are hoping that this is the year they’ll finally win their second Africa Cup of Nations trophy. The last time the Atlas Lions won was in 1976, and most supporters were probably not yet born during that time.
Walid Regragui’s side won Group A by a wide margin, thanks to the two-man show of Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi, who scored all of their goals in the tournament thus far. Brahim scored their first goal against Comoros, converted a penalty against Mali (before Lassine Sinayoko scored the equaliser), and netted against Zambia. El Kaabi also scored against Comoros before bagging a brace against Zambia.
Furthermore, the Atlas Lions are anxious about the fitness level of their star full-back, Achraf Hakimi, who had an ankle injury. The PSG defender and reigning African Footballer of the Year played for the first time in almost two months as a second-half sub in Morocco’s 3-0 rout of Zambia.
After the game, Hakimi said he is good to go and could start if needed. Regragui has to decide whether he’ll stick with Noussair Mazraoui or Hakimi as the starting left-back to join Nayef Aguerd, Mohamed Chibi, and Adam Masina at the rearguard against Tanzania on Sunday evening.
Gabon receive pink slip after scoreless campaign
Gabon’s government made the unprecedented decision to suspend the national team, dissolve the coaching staff, and ban Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, following their calamitous exit in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. Do not be surprised if FIFA penalises Gabon for taking this drastic measure.
The Panthers finished at the bottom of Group F, losing all three of their group stage matches against Cameroon, Mozambique, and Ivory Coast. The loss against Ivory Coast was the final nail in the coffin, as Gabon squandered a two-goal lead in Marrakech.
Aubameyang and Ecuele Manga didn’t play against Les Elephants, with the former returning to Marseille for treatment on his thigh injury. More than the poor results on the pitch, Gabon’s campaign was marred by disputes between Marseille and FEGAFOOT on the handling of Aubameyang amid his fitness problems.
Gabon were one of the three teams – along with Botswana and Equatorial Guinea – to be eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations without a single point.
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