AFCON 2023 Group A Permutations: What Ivory Coast and Nigeria Must Do to Qualify for the Last 16

• Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria hold the top two spots in Group A with four points each
• Ivory Coast are currently in third place with three points after their defeat to Nigeria
• Guinea-Bissau still have a shot at advancing despite having no points in their group

It’s getting to crunch time at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The second round of fixtures has been completed in Group A.

What do Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau need to progress to the last 16?

AFCON 2023 Group A Permutations

After two matches for each team in Group A, there is a three-way battle between hosts Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea for the two automatic qualification positions.

Equatorial Guinea currently hold the top spot with four points after beating Guinea Bissau 4-2 on Thursday.

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They also own the tie-breaker over Nigeria, who also have four points from their first two matches, per the BBC.

They leapfrogged Ivory Coast in the standings after beating them 1-0 in their Matchday 2 showdown.

The hosts are currently in third place with three points scored, while Guinea Bissau are at the bottom of Group A with no points, per ESPN.

Guinea Bissau still have a shot of advancing to the last 16 as the four best third-placed teams in the Africa Cup of Nations will book spots in the knockout round.

They will need to beat Nigeria and hope that two third-placed teams in the other groups fail to match their three-point total.

Meanwhile, a draw will be enough for Nigeria to qualify for the last 16. The Super Eagles will top Group A if they win against Guinea Bissau and Equatorial Guinea fail to beat Ivory Coast in the other match.

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A draw against Ivory Coast will also be enough for Equatorial Guinea to advance to the last 16. They will top Group A if they win against Ivory Coast and Nigeria fail to beat Guinea-Bissau.

In case both Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea win, the team that finishes with the higher goal difference will end up in first place.

For Ivory Coast to ensure qualification for the round of 16, they will need to beat Equatorial Guinea on Matchday 3. That result will see them finish first (if Nigeria doesn’t win in the other match) or second (if the Super Eagles win over Guinea-Bissau) in Group A.

A draw will see the host nation finish in third place with four points in the group. They will advance to the knockout round if two third-placed teams in the other groups fail to match their total.

Current AFCON Group A table

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Nigeria edge past Ivory Coast

Sports Brief also previously reported on Nigeria's thrilling win over Ivory Coast on Thursday.

William Troost-Ekong sealed the victory for the Super Eagles with a penalty in the 55th minute.

The referee awarded the penalty after Ousmane Diomande fouled Victor Osimhen inside the box.