For the second consecutive edition, the African Cup of Nations opposes 24 teams with the possibility for the four best 3rd among the six groups to qualify for the round of 16. Four criteria are taken into account to decide between the 3rd of the different groups, with, in order of importance:
- a) greatest number of points obtained after all group matches;
- b) the goal difference of all group matches;
- c) greater number of goals scored in all group matches;
- d) a drawing of lots by the CAF Organizing Committee.
Currently, before the kick-off of the 3e day, this system would make it possible to virtually qualify:
Tunisia (Group F) – 3 points
Malawi (Group B) – 3 points
Cape Verde (Group A) – 3 points
Sierra Leone (Group E) – 2 points
While Ghana (Group C, 1 point) and Guinea Bissau (Group D, 1 point) would remain at the dock.
Everything will obviously depend on the result of the last day. In theory, a selection that finishes 3rd with 4 points has a very high chance of passing. In 2019, only Guinea needed 4 points to qualify among the best 3rd. All the others had 3 points and that was enough for DR Congo, Benin and South Africa, but not Kenya, who also had 3 points but were weighed down by their -4 goal difference. . It remains to be seen what will happen this year…
