By Kunle Solaja

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will take on Mozambique in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday in Fez, following the conclusion of the group stage on Tuesday night.

Mozambique booked their place in the knockout phase after finishing third in Group F and emerging as one of the four best third-placed teams across the six groups.

The Mambas’ progression was confirmed despite a 2–1 defeat to Cameroon in their final Group F match. Results elsewhere worked in their favour, allowing them to advance under the tournament’s best third-placed teams rule.

Elsewhere, dramatic late twists characterised the final day of group action. Côte d’Ivoire produced a stirring comeback, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Gabon 3–2 and keep their own tournament hopes alive.

Nigeria, who completed the group stage with a perfect record, will head into the Fez encounter as one of the form teams of the competition, while Mozambique will be hoping to extend their fairytale run against one of Africa’s traditional heavyweights.

The Round of 16 clash sets the stage for another high-stakes knockout battle as the race for continental glory intensifies in Morocco.

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DR Congo striker Cédric Bakambu has publicly called out Iberia Airlines over the loss of his luggage at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

 The Moroccan authorities bear no responsibility for his predicament.

Bakambu, on x (formerly Twitter) revealed that nearly two weeks after arriving in Morocco for the continental tournament, he is still without his personal belongings despite being fully involved in matches and team activities at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Congolese forward said he had received three separate confirmations from Moroccan authorities that his luggage had been located, yet nothing has been delivered to him.

“I find myself having to compete in the AFCON deprived of all my personal belongings,” Bakambu lamented, describing the situation as frustrating and professionally disruptive at a time when players are expected to be fully focused on performance.

The striker was emphatic in absolving the host nation of any blame, stating that the issue lies solely with Iberia Airlines, which handled his travel.

Morocco has earned widespread praise for its organisation, infrastructure and logistics at the tournament, with teams and officials commending the host country for smooth operations since the start of the competition.

Bakambu’s comments highlight the often unseen travel and logistical challenges faced by players at major international tournaments, even as the football action continues on the pitch.

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Two Equatorial Guinea players have been banned for insulting a referee at the Africa Cup of Nations and Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore was fined for post-match remarks, the respective football federations said on Wednesday.

Equatorial Guinea captain Carlos Akakpo and midfielder Josete Miranda have each been banned for four games for swearing at referee Messie Nkounou of Congo after their 1-0 loss to Sudan in Casablanca on Sunday, which left them bottom of Group E. Two of the matches have been suspended for a period of one year, the federation said.

The suspensions begin on Wednesday when Equatorial Guinea face Algeria in their last group match in Rabat.

Traore, who plays for Sunderland, was fined $10,000 for “offensive remarks” he made in an interview after Algeria’s 1-0 win over Burkina Faso in Rabat on Sunday.

“It’s a shame, we lost 1-0 to a penalty. I think there was a penalty on me in the very first action of the match,” Traore said. “The referees are ruining the game. And then, at the end, the referee (swear word) me.”

Traore expressed regret after being charged by the Confederation of African Football, the Burkinabe federation said.

-Reuters

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