By Kunle Solaja.

The group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations came to a thrilling conclusion on Tuesday night, living up to the tournament’s long-standing reputation for late drama, fine margins and unexpected twists.

After three rounds of matches played across Morocco, the 24-team field has been reduced to 16, with Africa’s traditional powers largely securing safe passage to the knockout rounds, while several ambitious outsiders also kept their dreams alive as the best third-placed finishers.

Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria were among the earliest teams to confirm qualification, each winning their opening two matches to remove pressure from the final round.

The Super Eagles topped Group C with a perfect record, combining attacking fluency with just enough resilience to navigate nervy moments, while Egypt’s experience again proved decisive in tight encounters. Algeria, disciplined and efficient, also advanced without needing favours from other results.

Hosts Morocco negotiated the weight of expectation with composure, finishing top of their group after handling varied tactical tests and difficult weather conditions, including matches played under persistent rain that challenged both pitch and players.

As ever, the final group matches delivered tension. Several teams entered the last day knowing a single goal could swing qualification hopes.

Simultaneous kick-offs heightened the drama, with late goals, red cards and frantic finishes reshaping standings almost by the minute. In the end, goal difference and head-to-head records proved decisive for some, while others were left ruing missed chances.

The expanded format again gave life to the race for the best third-placed teams, allowing nations such as Mozambique and others to sneak into the Round of 16 despite finishing outside the automatic qualification spots.

For some debutants and returning sides, simply surviving the group phase marked a significant milestone.

The group stage also produced notable individual moments: milestone goals, standout goalkeeping displays, and a handful of unwanted records, including rare disciplinary and substitution scenarios that underlined the tournament’s unpredictability.

With the group phase complete, attention now shifts to the knockout rounds, where margins tighten, and history often weighs heavily. Traditional rivalries are set to be renewed, while underdogs will look to extend their fairytale runs.

If the opening phase is any guide, AFCON 2025 promises even greater drama as the competition moves into its decisive stages — where reputations are tested, and Africa’s next champion begins to emerge.

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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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