Scorpions assured last 16 berth with a game to spare

Musa Barrow’s superb penalty against Mali turned out to be enough to guarantee last 16 spot

Egypt edged past Sudan to finish second in Group D and qualify for the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Mohamed Abdelmonem scored the game’s only goal, heading home Abdallah El Said’s corner for the Pharaohs in the 35th minute.

Sudan offered little with Egypt going close to a second through a Mohamed Salah effort well-saved by keeper Ali Abu Eshrein in the second half.

Egypt will face the winners of Group E on Wednesday, 26 January.

They finished three points behind Group D winners Nigeria who beat Guinea-Bissau 2-0.

Sudan, champions in 1970 and playing in their first major tournament since 2012, finished third in the table, collecting one point and scoring just one goal.

Seven-time winners Egypt have now reached the knockout stages in five of their past six appearances at the Nations Cup. 

Social media images showed wild scenes of celebrations from the Gambian team’s hotel erupt following the conclusion of those two encounters.

The outcome of the two Group D matches on Wednesday mathematically ensured Gambia’s scorpions playing against Tunisia on Thursday, are safely through to the last 16 before playing their final group game. Perhaps an opportunity for coach Tom Saintfiet to roll out a more attacking setup that most fans’ back home have been clamoring for.

Bubacarr Trawally was an unused sub in all of Gambia’s games so far despite playing crucial part in qualifying

The preparations, however, has been marred by the early return from Cameroon by attacker and fan favourite Bubacarr Trawally who according to both parties was released to go back to his Emirati club Ajman Sport to undergo treatment on an injury he’s been apparently nursing coming into the competion. Trawally would have been a sure candidate for a starting role on Thursday, but his absence could mean more chances for fringe squad members with likes of Buba Jobe, Boavista’s Yusupha Njie, Muhammed Mbye, Ebrima Sohna and others who have so far received little or no game time.