Whilst defending champions Senegal secured top spot in Group C. at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, five-times champion, Cameroon had to come from behind with two late goals to reach the last 16 after beating The Gambia in a 5-goal thriller.
Senegal remain on track to become the first side to retain the Afcon trophy since Egypt won their third in a row in 2010, while Guinea aimed to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015. The Scorpions looked to have dashed Cameroon's hopes with a 91st-minute goal, but it was ruled out for handball.
Cameroon moved into 2nd place in the final table, although the Syli National will advance as one of the four best third-placed teams at the end of the group stage. With Senegal’s goals coming from Seck in the 61st. minute and Ndiaye in the 90th. The five-time champions secured second place in Group C. on goals scored. In the game between Gambia and Cameroon, it was The Indomitable Lions who just about came out on top in an absolute thriller, winning 3-2.
Georges-Kevin Nkoudou hammered a shot against the crossbar five minutes into the second period, Toko-Ekambi headed Nkoudou's searching delivery in six minutes later to break the deadlock. The Gambia levelled shortly after Ablie Jallow arrived unmarked in the box to deftly volley in from Alieu Fadera's cross. Colley's strike sent shockwaves around the Stade de la Paix, the first of three goals in six minutes, settle Cameroon's destiny in an extraordinary finish.
In Group D., Angola beat Burkina Faso 2-0 to clinch top spot, coming after Mabululu headed in Fredy's free-kick nine minutes before the break to put the Palancas Negras ahead. Burkina Faso’s Zine made sure of the points with a close-range finish in stoppage time.
Both sides had been certain of progress before kick-off because of other results in the final round of games, whilst Burkina Faso ended their group campaign in second place after Mauritania eliminated Algeria by beating the 2019 champions 1-0. In Group E, Angola will face a third-placed side from Group E. or F. in the last 16 on Saturday. Burkina Faso will take on the Group E. winners.
Another of the fancied teams, Algeria, crashed out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as minnows Mauritania claimed a famous first ever win to snatch a spot in the last 16 after centre-back Yali Dellahi swept home the winning goal late in the first half to stun the two-time Afcon winners. Defeat means 2019 champions Algeria exit the tournament at the group stage for the second successive edition.
Algeria finish bottom of Group D while Mauritania will definitely progress as one of the best third-placed teams. They will face surprise Group B winners Cape Verde in the last 16 at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Monday.
The Greens join fellow former champions Ghana in being eliminated after results earlier on Tuesday meant the Black Stars, with just two points to their name, cannot qualify as one of the top four third-placed sides.