AFCON 2021: Burkina Faso and Cameroon line up side by side

Burkina Faso trailed hosts and group champions Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations round of 16 on Monday, while Cape Verde must wait to see if it can emerge as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Meanwhile, Malawi’s players got an unusual incentive to beat Senegal in Tuesday’s final group game: if Malawi wins and reaches the knockout stage for the first time, there is something to offer every member of the squad A year’s supply of eggs.

Burkina Faso drew 1-1 with Ethiopia in their Group A final match at Bafoussam and are content to hold on to that. Cyrille Bayala lobbed the goalkeeper in the first half to give the Burkina Faso the lead. Getaneh Kebede equalised for Ethiopia from the penalty spot early in the second half.

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Both Burkina Faso and Cape Verde have four points, but Burkina Faso is second in the group by beating Cape Verde. Cameroon and Cape Verde also drew 1-1 in a simultaneous match in Yaounde.

Cameroon has progressed but has failed to make 100% of the group stage despite captain Vincent Abubakar scoring his fifth goal in three African Cup matches. Gary Rodriguez levelled Cape Verde with a delightful goal that allowed a cross between his legs and flicked his heels.

The final group stage begins on Monday and the 16 teams that have advanced to the knockout stages in Cameroon will be decided on Thursday. Senegal, Ghana, Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire and Tunisia and many other strong teams have not yet determined their place in the round of 16. The defending champion Algeria is at the bottom of the group and is in trouble.

Surprising results in first week of competition, none bigger than Algeria Equatorial Guinea thrashed 0-1 on Sunday.

Year’s supply of eggs threatened

A draw with Malawi was enough for Senegal to advance from Group B. If Malawi takes another hit, it will secure a place in the knockout round of the Africa Cup for the first time, as well as a supply of eggs to every player this year. A Malawi poultry company has announced that it will offer the award if the team makes history.

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Senegal is the No. 1 team in Africa and No. 20 in the world. Malawi ranked 129th.

In another Group B match between Guinea and Zimbabwe on Tuesday, there is sure to be a piece of history as Rwanda’s Salima Rhadia Mukansanga will become the first woman to referee an African Cup match. She will lead a team of women referees.

Also on Tuesday, Ghana and Gabon are vying for their second qualifying spot in Group C after Morocco, which is over. Ghana will play Comoros as the four-time champions face the prospect of being knocked out of the group stage for the first time since 2006. Gabon will again be without striker and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang against Morocco.

Aubameyang has been released from Gabon to return to his Arsenal club for a medical after experiencing the aftermath of COVID-19. Aubameyang, who has tested positive for coronavirus after arriving in Cameroon, will travel to London without the Africa Cup of Nations. The top two in each group automatically advance to the round of 16. The best third-place team also has four spots.