X

AFCON update: Reds head to the knockouts

All three of Manchester United's representatives at the Africa Cup of Nations are heading to the knockout rounds.

Noussair Mazraoui and Morocco had already confirmed their passage to the next phase, topping Group A with a 3-0 win over Zambia on Monday.

The defender has now been joined by both Bryan Mbeumo and Amad who sealed their progression to the next stage, with Cameroon and Ivory Coast, respectively, on New Year's Eve.

Mazraoui’s Morocco top group at AFCON

Mbeumo started his nation's game against Mozambique, and it got off to a difficult start for the Indomitable Lions, going a goal down thanks to Sporting's Geny Catamo with 23 minutes played.

They pulled one back courtesy of a Nene own goal before the interval and, with Mbeumo off the pitch at this point, having made way for Christian Bassogog at half-time, managed to secure all three points thanks to a goal from Bayer Leverkusen teenager Christian Kofane.

The victory secured second place for Cameroon in Group F, enough to automatically progress to the knockout rounds.

They will now face South Africa on Sunday 4 January in the round of 16.

Amad started on the bench for an equally tough encounter with Gabon, which saw Ivory Coast go two goals down. Jean-Philippe Krasso pulled one back before half-time, but there was still plenty for the Elephants to do.

Our no.16 was brought on in the 76th minute in place of Oumar Diakite, and Aston Villa's Evann Guessand levelled the game just under 10 minutes later. Then, with the full-time whistle looming, Bazoumana Toure netted the winner for Ivory Coast.

It saw Amad's side top Group F, marginally ahead of Cameroon, and guaranteed a place in the round of 16.

They face Burkina Faso on Tuesday 6 January, with kick-off slated for 19:00 GMT.

HATED, ADORED, NEVER IGNORED

BROWSE NEW COLLECTION

Elsewhere, Morocco face Tanzania in their round of 16 assignment. If the Atlas Lions and Cameroon both secure victories at that stage, they would meet in the quarter-finals, meaning only one of Mbeumo and Mazraoui are able to reach the semis.

That would see one of the pair back with United a couple of days before our FA Cup clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford, which could be too soon a turnaround to play, but will ensure the returnee is available for the Manchester derby on Saturday 17 January.

AFCON ROUND OF 16 FIXTURE LIST

Saturday 3 January

Senegal v Sudan (16:00 GMT)
Mali v Tunisia

Sunday 4 January

MOROCCO v Tanzania (16:00 GMT)
South Africa v CAMEROON

Monday 5 January

Egypt v Benin (16:00 GMT)
Nigeria v Mozambique

Tuesday 6 January

Algeria v DR Congo (16:00 GMT)
IVORY COAST v Burkina Faso

All kick-offs 19:00 GMT unless otherwise stated.

Recommended: