By Emmanuel Ebimoh

The pairings for the round of 16 matches in the ongoing African Cup of Nations competition is gradually taking shape. After some intense beautiful display in most of the matches in the group stage, we are getting ready for more shocks and excitement when the competition enters its next round.

Unlike previous AFCON tournaments where only eight teams (first and second positions) qualify from four groups and go straight to the quarter finals, this year’s edition has been extended to six groups and provision for four best third place teams, taking the total number of qualified teams to 16. This means there will be a round of 16 stage before the road to the finals.

So far, 12 teams have gained automatic qualification to the next round as first and second positions, and the remaining 4 teams will be decided today after the final round of group games are decided.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria surprisingly finished second in Group B, behind debutants, Madagascar. The Eagles lost 2-0 to The Barea of Madagascar in their last group game which disappointingly left them with six points and in second position. With the Pharaohs of Egypt finishing as winners of Group A, many feared that the host will be the probable opponent of the Super Eagles in the round of 16. However, as it stands, the Eagles are more likely to face a different opponent.

The list of teams who finished first and second in their groups so far are:

Egypt
Nigeria
Algeria
Morocco
Madagascar
Uganda
Ivory Coast
Senegal

The group stage of matches will be concluded today with Group E and Group F matches.

Benin – Cameroon
Guinea Bissau – Ghana
Angola – Mali
Mauritania – Tunisia

Meanwhile, The Cranes of Uganda have been confirmed to face The Teranga Lions of Senegal in the first game of the round of 16 at the Cairo international Stadium on Friday. With the last set of group games to be decided today, the other pairings for the next round will be decided.