At the 2022 Africa Cup, the best four of the six third-placed teams in the group will advance to the knockout round. But what happens if the teams are tied on points? How will the best four be determined?
The final day of group play is underway at the Africa Cup. The four best third-placed teams in the group qualify for the round of 16, as do the top two finishers in each group.
Should two teams within a group have the same number of points, the following rules apply according to paragraph 74 of the Africa Cup Rule Book:
1. higher number of points in direct comparison
2. goal difference in all group matches
3. higher number of goals scored in all group matches
4. draw by the CAF Organising Committee
Paragraph 32, Article 75.4 of the Africa Cup Regulations prescribes how the four best third-placed teams in the group are determined:
1. higher number of points from all group matches
2. goal difference from all group matches
3. higher number of goals scored in all group matches
4. draw by the CAF Organising Committee
It is not unlikely that there will be a draw at this year’s Africa Cup due to the many close results. This was also possible in the case of the best third-placed team in the group, but it did not happen: Cape Verde (Group A) and Malawi (Group B) had to tremble because their criteria a) to c) are identical. Safely behind them in the ranking of the best third-placed teams in the group are Comoros, who have three points and 3:5 goals after three matches. Only when all the matches in Group D had been played and it was clear that Sudan were third by one point, ahead of Guinea-Bissau, who were level on points, did Cape Verde and Malawi have certainty of being through to the next round.
Tricky situation for the defending champions
Comoros still have to wait for the outcome in Groups E and F. Speaking of Group E, Algeria find themselves in a difficult situation. If the desert foxes do not win their last group match against Côte d’Ivoire, the reigning title holders will be eliminated early. They can only advance to the round of 16 with a win, either as first or second. They can only finish third with a draw and would then be out for sure.
In Group F, Tunisia is another big name facing elimination – and now also big problems. The 2004 Cup winners reported no less than twelve positive cases before their match against Gambia on Thursday. It is initially unclear whether Ellyes Skhiri from Cologne is affected.
The third-placed team in the group stage currently
1. Cape Verde (3 games, 4 points, 2:2 goals)
2nd Malawi (3 games, 4 points, 2:2 goals)
3rd Tunisia (2 matches, 3 points, 4:1 goals)
4th Comoros (3 games, 3 points, 3:5 goals)
5 Sierra Leone (2 games, 2 points, 2:2 goals)
6th Sudan (3 Matches, 1 Point, 4:1 Goals)
