AFCON2023: Can Cameroon make it to the next stage?

By Muluh Alfred

There are only 16 available spots for the knockout stages of the 2023 African Nations Cup and 16 out of 24 teams are expected to compete for a place.

These 16 spots are reserved for the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams from the six groups.

Cameroon currently holds one point and is ranked 3rd place in Group C implying they cannot qualify as first and can only qualify as second or the best third-placed team.

To qualify as second, the Indomitable Lions must achieve the following:

1. Firstly, they must beat Gambia by one goal and hope for Senegal to beat Guinea with a three-goal margin.
2. They must beat Gambia by a two-goal margin and hope for Senegal to beat Guinea by a two-goal margin.
3. They must beat Gambia by a margin of three or more and hope for Senegal to beat Guinea by any score.

Should Guinea get as little as a point from Senegal, then Cameroon can only qualify as the best third-placed team.

As of now, Cameroon is the worst third-placed team among the six teams currently occupying third place in their respective groups.