Senegal A+, Nigeria B, Grading AFCON Campaign of All Round of 16 Teams

• One of AFCON's most intriguing group stages is done and dusted
• We witnessed upsets, drama, stunning goals and historic displays
• Sports Brief grades the performance of the remaining 16 teams

The Round of 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations begins this weekend with exciting match-ups lined up.

Senegal, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, and Morocco have caught the eye so far, while Ghana and Algeria have disappointed.

The likes of Mauritania and Namibia registered their first-ever wins in the competition, which some have called one of the best in recent memory.

With 16 teams remaining from the competition, Sports Brief grades their AFCON campaigns ahead of the last 16.

Round of 16 AFCON grades

Group A

Ivory Coast

The hosts were pre-tournament favourites, but losses to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea nearly saw them exit the tournament at the group stage. They miraculously snuck in, but it could've been a disastrous showing.

AFCON 2023 Group A Predictions and Preview: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, & Guinea-Bissau

Football

Grade: D+

Nigeria

The Super Eagles won two and drew one in the group stages, but the performances were not impressive. However, they got the job done. The three-time champions face Cameroon in the next round.

Grade: B

Equatorial Guinea

The Nzalang Nacional were not expected to top the group with Nigeria and Ivory Coast. They did that and embellished it with a 4-0 thumping of the hosts, an earth-shattering result in the competition's history. They were flawless.

Group B

Cape Verde

The Islanders shocked Ghana by beating them 2-1 in their opening game. They comfortably edged Mozambique before drawing with Egypt to top the group. They will be a problem in the knockout rounds.

Grade: A+

Egypt

The Pharaohs were outside favourites to win the tournament but have underwhelmed. They drew all their games 2-2 and are without superstar, Mohamed Salah. Egypt have also lost their starting goalkeeper to injury.

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Football

Grade: D+

Group C

Senegal

The defending champions won all three games, scored seven goals and conceded just once. It was a superb group stage for the Lions of Teranga.

Grade: A+

Cameroon

The five-time champions needed late goals against The Gambia to reach the last 16. Their displays in the group stage were not good, and their campaign has been surrounded by the Andre Onana situation. However, they face a solid Nigerian team in the last 16. Can they upset the Super Eagles?

Grade: D-

Guinea

Syli National were lucky to get a draw against Cameroon in their opening game. They beat The Gambia, then lost to Senegal. Reaching the Round of 16 without one of Africa's best strikers, Serhou Guirassy, is commendable.

Grade: B

Group D

Angola

The Southern African nation topped this group and went unbeaten, finishing with seven points ahead of Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and 2019 champions, Algeria. The Pelancas Negras surprisingly proved everyone wrong.

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Football

Grade: A-

Burkina Faso

The Stallions are the dark horses in Ivory Coast. They finished second but were not as excellent as many expected, but reaching the last 16 is all that matters.

Grade: C+

Mauritania

The West African nation stunned Algeria to register their first-ever AFCON win. The result also eliminated the 2019 champions from the competition. They only made their AFCON debut in 2019 and are among the big boys now.

Grade: A-

Group E

Mali

This was the 'group of death', and Tunisia were the casualty. Mali beat South Africa and drew against Namibia and Tunisia.

Grade: B-

South Africa

Bafana Bafana have played some of the best football in the tournament so far. They were at their best against Namibia, who they beat 4-0, but lacked cutting edge against Tunisia. The 1996 champions face Morocco in the round of 16, per CAF.

Grade: B+

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Football

Namibia

The Brave Warriors secured their first-ever AFCON win by beating 2004 champions Tunisia. It was one of the seismic results in Ivory Coast. Despite losing to South Africa, they secured a draw to reach the knockout round. They face neighbour Angola in the round of 16.

Grade: A-

Group F

Morocco

The Atlas Lions dominated every game they've played with swashbuckling football. They registered wins over Tanzania and Zambia in between a draw against DR Congo. They are considered favourites to win the title for a reason, per Opta Analyst.

Grade: A-

DR Congo

The Leopards drew all their three games and played some good football at times. They will need to perform way better though to have a chance in the last 16.

Grade: C

2023 AFCON favourites

Sports Brief also reported on updated favourites to win the 2023 AFCON tournament.

After the near-flawless displays in the group stages, Senegal and Morocco topped the lists as overwhelming favourites.

Cape Verde and Equatorial Guinea made the list as outside favourites following a historic run in the group stages.