The crazy scenario of the matches between Mozambique and Ghana, in addition to Cape Verde with Egypt, yesterday, Monday, in the third and final round of the group stage of the African Cup of Nations in football, contributed to the qualification of 5 teams to the round of 16 without playing.

The teams of Morocco, Guinea, Angola, Burkina Faso and Mali have guaranteed to reach the final stage, having gained 4 points so far.

The competition system stipulates that the champion and runner-up of each of the six groups will qualify, in addition to the four best teams in third place.

After the conclusion of the first group competitions and the host Ivory Coast finishing third with 3 points, and the second group with Ghana finishing third with 2 points, the four points now pave the way to the knockout rounds, as they guarantee, in the worst case, qualification as one of the best 4 teams from third place (provided that they do not finish at the bottom of the standings).

This applies to the teams of Morocco, Guinea, Angola, Burkina Faso, and Mali, which joined the top and runner-up qualifiers, Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria (first group), Cape Verde and Egypt (second), and Senegal (third).

Egypt 🇪🇬 qualifies as runner-up after a draw with Cape Verde 🇨🇻

⏯️ Watch the match summary 👇#Africa_Cup of Nations | #Cape_Green_Egypt #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/FulUGQn7kJ

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 22, 2024

Egypt was tied in the last minute with Cape Verde 1-1 when Mostafa Mohamed gave them the lead goal in the fatal time (90+3), but goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy conceded in the ninth minute of stoppage time, so the match ended in a 2-2 draw.

At the same time, Ghana was comfortably ahead of Mozambique with two Andre Ayew penalty kicks, but it conceded two goals in the 90+1 and 90+4 minutes, so the match ended in a 2-2 draw.

Mozambique 🇲🇿 returns from afar and deprives Ghana 🇬🇭 of a qualification card

⏯️ Watch the match summary 👇#Africa_Cup of Nations | #Mozambique_Ghana #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/6jxjXygyqs

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 22, 2024

Cape Verde topped the group with 7 points, and Egypt finished runner-up despite earning only 3 points from 3 draws, compared to 2 points for Ghana, which finished third on goal difference behind Mozambique.