By Dom Agbakpe
The second round of games in the Total 2019 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) has ended. Some games were thrilling; others were not.
15 goals were scored from 14 different scorers. 35 yellow cards were produced with no red card.
Group A:
Egypt 2-0 DR Congo
Egypt advanced to the knockout stage with 2-0 victory over Democratic Republic of Congo at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo.
Goals arrived on the 5th and 43rd minute respectively through El Mohammady and Mohammed Salah.
Uganda 1-1 Zimbabwe
In other Group game, Uganda and Guinea played out a 1-1 drawn game at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo.
Emmanuel Okwi shot the Cranes into the lead in the 12th minute before Khama Billiat drew level for the Warriors on the 41st minute with a sweet finish.
Egypt heads the table with six points, Uganda lie second with three points, Zimbabwe sit third with just a point with DR Congo rocked bottom with no point.
Group B:
Nigeria 1-0 Guinea
Defender Kenneth Omeruo’s scored a 74th minute goal as the Super Eagles beat Syli Nationale of Guinea 1-0 at the Alexandria Stadium in Alexandria to progress to the last 16 of the competition.
Madagascar 1-0 Burundi
Madagascar breathe life into their campaign with a hard fought 1-0 win over Burundi at the same venue in the Group game.
The Barea’s goal arrived on 76 minute, courtesy, Marco llaimaharitra’s freekick.
Nigeria lead the log with six points, followed by Madagascar with four points, Guinea occupy the thrid spot with one point and Burundi sit at the foot of the table with no point.
Group C:
Algeria 1-0 Senegal
Algeria marched onto the round of 16 of the tournament following a narrow 1-0 victory over Senegal at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo.
Goal came from the foot of Youssef Bellaili four minutes into the second period.
Kenya 3-2 Tanzania
Kenya produced an impressive second half showing as they fought back to beat neighbours Tanzania 3-2 at the June 30 Stadium.
The Harambee Stars goals were scored by Michael Olunga and Johanna Omollo whereas Taifa Stars goals came from the foot of Saimon Msuva and Mbwana Samatta.
Algeria top the Group with six points, Senegal and Kenya tied on points, three each lie second and third respectively with Tanzania sitting at the base of the table with no point.
Group D:
Morocco 1-0 Cote d’voire
Morocco produced a stunning performance and book a spot in the last 16 following a 1-0 win over Cote d’voire at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo.
Goal came on 23rd minute, courtesy Yossef En-Nesyri’s strike.
South Africa 1-0 Namibia
South Africa got their campaign back on track after a slender 1-0 win over Namibia at the same venue.
Bongani Zungu scored the only goal of the match for Bafana Bafana on the 63rd minute.
Morocco lead the pack with six points, Cote d’voire and South Africa sit second and third respectively with three points each with Namibia occupying the fourth spot with no point.
Group E:
Tunisia 1-1 Mali
Tunisia and Mali settled for a 1-1 drawn game at the Suez Stadium.
Goalkeeper Mouez Hassan put the ball through his own net to give the Eagles the lead on the 61st minute before Wahbi Khazri restored parity for the Carthage Eagles 20 minute from full time.
Mauritania 0-0 Angola
Mauritania and Angola settled for a 0-0 drawn game at the same venue.
Mali occupy the sit top with a four points, Tunisia and Angola locked on the second and third spot respectively with two points apiece with Mauritania sitting bottom with one point.
Group F:
Ghana 0-0 Cameroon
Ghana and Cameroon played out to a barren draw in a hotly contested West African clash at the Ismailia Stadium in Ismailia.
Guinea Bissau and Benin also settled for a 0-0 drawn game at the same venue.
Cameroon sit top of the Group with four points, Benin and Ghana lie second and third with two points each with Guinea Bissau languishing at the bottom with just one point.
