Côte d'Ivoire is qualified anyway, at worst among the best third, even before its clash on Thursday (5:00 p.m.) against Algeria, in Douala.
This is the first time for Malawi, which is participating in its third CAN.
Cape Verde had already reached the quarter-finals in 2013, for their first participation.
The joy of Malawians, after a goal scored by striker Gabadinho Mhango (c), during their group B match of the African Cup of Nations against Zimbabwe, on January 14, 2022 in Bafoussam (Cameroon) Pius Utomi EKPEI AFP/Archives
Sudan, 3rd in group D with a single point, after their defeat on Wednesday against Egypt (1-0), is a worse third than Cape Verde, Malawi and the Comoros.
The Comoros, 3rd in Group C with three points and a goal difference of -2, are also behind Malawi and Cape Verde in the ranking of the best third, pending the last four matches of the 1st round on Thursday.
There is still hope for the Comoros, who are participating for the first time in the CAN: one of the two third places in groups E and F on Thursday must finish lower in his group than the Comoros.
This will be possible if Algeria (1 pt) loses or draws against Ivory Coast and if Sierra Leone (2 pts) loses against Equatorial Guinea, in Group E.
On the other hand, Tunisia, currently 3rd in Group F with three points and a goal difference of +3, are almost qualified.
Tunisian players train on January 19, 2022 in Limbe (Cameroon), on the eve of their Group F match of the African Cup of Nations against Gambia Issouf SANOGO AFP
Even diminished by 12 absences due to the Covid, including that of its leader Wahbi Khazri, it would have to lose by five goals against Gambia on Thursday to finish behind the Comoros.
© 2022 AFP