Tanzania has exited the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after a goalless draw with DR Congo, who secured a spot in the last 16, at the East Africans’ expense.
Taifa Stars had hoped to follow in Namibia’s footsteps by reaching the knockout stages for the first time. However, a goalless stalemate with DR Congo meant they finished bottom of Group F.
The result eliminated the East Africans, who needed a win to progress, while Namibia advanced to the last 16 for the first time in history after a 0-0 draw with Mali.
Tanzania’s AFCON campaign was already marred in the controversy surrounding head coach Adel Amrouche’s utterances concerning Morocco’s football governing body.
Amrouche’s subsequent suspension and sacking, above CAF slapping the Tanzania Football Federation with a $10,000 fine, happened just after the squad arrived in Ivory Coast for the quadrennial football tournament and were about to face
A point was enough for DR Congo to finish second in Group F behind Morocco, who topped the table with a 1-0 win over Zambia.
The Leopards sharpen their claws as they await a last-16 tie against Egypt, with Morocco taking on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
By holding on for a point, DR Congo, who last won the AFCON in 1974, finished second in the group with a record of three draws from as many matches. The Leopards will now play Egypt for a place in the quarter-finals.
Namibia secured a historic 0-0 draw against Mali to progress to the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages for the first time. Collin Benjamin’s side will now face Angola for a place in the quarterfinals.
The Brave Warriors head through to the last 16 as one of the competition’s best third-placed teams, thanks to accumulating four points from three matches.
Their 1-0 victory over Tunisia in the opening group game was their first-ever at the tournament and proved pivotal in qualification.
The stalemate against Mali showcased a resilient performance from Collin Benjamin’s side, who enjoyed only 33% possession and managed just one shot on target.
“I’m honestly just proud to be Namibian and proud of the players. I’m proud of their character and proud of their hunger. It’s huge, what happened today,” he said following their progression to the round of 16.
Namibia had qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals only three times before this edition but will now face Angola for a place in the quarterfinals.
The draw also means Mali advances as group winners for the third tournament, although they have not progressed to the last eight since 2013.
The results in Group F were also sufficient for tournament hosts Ivory Coast to sneak into the second round as the last of the four best third-placed teams.
They now lock horns with Burkina Faso on January 30 for a spot in the quarter-finals.
The Elephants, who sacked boss Jean-Louis Gasset earlier on Wednesday after finishing third in Group A, will face defending champions Senegal in the last 16 on Monday.
