- 2019 winners Algeria face a tournament-defining moment as Mauritania awaits in Group D.
- The top spot is still up for grabs in Group D where both Angola and Burkina Faso lead by four points.
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The Africa Cup of Nations Cote 'd'Ivoire 2023 has registered upsets with little-known teams acquiring giant-killing status.
Minnows have dealt fancied teams fatal blows. Equatorial Guinea's 4-0 tactical masterclass over hosts Ivorians highlights the surprises.
If that result was more like 'the tip of an iceberg' then the acrimonious exit by four-time champions Black Stars of Ghana showed why Africa's premier competition has come off age.
Ghana blew away a 2-0 lead over Mozambique to crush to a 2-2 draw, sealing their exit from the biennial championship albeit without a win.
Cote 'd'Ivoire and Ghana, two of the best teams in Group A and B going by their history, are out of the month-long competition where the finals will be played on February 11.
Surprisingly, Equatorial Guinea and 2013 Afcon winners Nigeria advanced to the round of 16 at the expense of the Ivorians while Cape Verde and Egypt secured their slots as Ghana faltered.
Egypt became the first team to advance to the next round without winning any of their three group matches. They registered draws in all the matches.
More drama is expected on Tuesday as Cameroon, which hosted the 2021 edition, has fate in its own hands.
The Indomitable Lions, winless in Group C, sit third and face a potentially tricky encounter against bottom-placed The Gambia.
With one point to their name after a draw and a loss, the Rigobert Song-led side must win their match to stand a chance of qualifying as either the second-placed team or the best losers with four points, irrespective of what happens in the match between Senegal and Guinea.
That will only be possible if Cameroon, who have been unconvincing, execute a winning formula and a cutting edge in a blunt attack that has only scored two goals.
Worryingly for Cameroon, their defense is in disarray and porous after conceding four goals to manage a negative goal difference. This will likely instill confidence into the Gambian team and take the game to their opponents.
With Senegal through to the last 16, the battle for the second slot is between Cameroon and Guinea.
2019 winners Algeria face a tournament-defining moment as Mauritania awaits in Group D.
The North Africans have been a pale shadow of their former selves and their insipid performance means they only have two points from as many matches.
The top spot is still up for grabs in Group D where both Angola and Burkina Faso lead by four points.
Algeria needs to win to enhance its chances of progress.
Should Angola and Burkina Faso draw and Algeria win, all three teams will qualify. One of the teams progresses as the best loser because of the tight nature of the competition.
Algeria and Cameroon must navigate through their fixtures. Only a win will save these two teams.