Afcon 2021: Power Ranking all 16 Nations Cup contenders

Deserve credit for holding Senegal in their final group game, although they were arguably flattered in victory against a Zimbabwe side lacking a swathe of key figures following pre-tournament withdrawals.

The Flames are up against it against Morocco, and their run looks like to end in the Last 16.

Minnows were outplayed handsomely by Morocco, although they showed against Gabon—in vain—and against Ghana—with success—that they can compete with bigger sides when they take the game to their opponents.

That 3-2 performance against the Black Stars will fuel hope of an upset against Cameroon.

Resilient, no doubt, and Cape Verde have character—look at how they bounced back to take a point from Cameroon in Olembe—but can they really eliminate Senegal in the Last 16?

Underwhelming in Group B, Guinea struggled past Malawi, held Senegal—with Naby Keita impressive, and then fell to Zimbabwe in their final match.

The loss of Keita for the Last 16 is a bitter blow against a tricky Gambia side.

Unexpectedly dire in the group stage, to scrape through in third, Tunisia have been ‘punished’ with a Round of 16 meeting with Nigeria.

It leaves them with an uphill battle to progress, and while the Carthage Eagles flexed their muscles with that 4-0 rout of Mauritania, defeat by Gambia is a genuine humiliation.

Massive overachievers thus far, tiny Gambia still stand while Algeria and Ghana go home.

Tom Saintfiet has overseen victories over Mauritania and Tunisia (the latter in the 93rd minute), as well as securing a 90th-minute point against Mali.

They give up very little, and can hurt you late on…Guinea beware!

Endured a tough start to their tournament with a coronavirus controversy, and were far too pumped up in their opener.

Did just about enough against Cape Verde, but weren’t even able to beat Ethiopia in their final group game.

Still appear unable to impose themselves on opponents consistently, and dearth of technical, passing options is a concern.

An over-reliance on Mohamed Salah is also a worry, and while back-to-back wins should breed confidence, the Pharaohs’ run may well end against the Ivory Coast next round.

Have rode out the absences of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Lemina admirably, finding unity and a sense of hunger amidst the headlines surrounding their biggest stars.

Impressed as they took the game to Morocco, having hit Ghana with a sucker punch, and have the quality to see off Burkina Faso.

Unfortunate to be defeated by Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea then registered consecutive victories—including against Algeria—to progress as Group E runners-up.

Mali await—eminently beatable—and then either Senegal or Cape Verde. It’s not beyond belief that Equatorial Guinea could repeat their semi-final run of 2015.

They certainly look solid—unbothered apart from that late Gambia penalty—but Mali are also lacking fluidity going forward (three of their four goals have been penalties).

They’re favourites (just) to see off Equatorial Guinea in the next round, but this looks like a decent bet for a surprise.

Fairly poor during the group stage, netting once in three matches—in the 97th-minute to see off Zimbabwe—while being held 0-0 by uninspired Guinea and Malawi sides.

They need inspiration and impetus if they’re going to realise expectations in the tournament.

Not a flawless group stage, with points dropped against Gabon and an inability to kill off the Comoros until the very death in their second match.

Morocco haven’t clicked in attack, but if the likes of Youssef En-Nesyri and Ayoub El Kaabi do start finding their scoring boots, they could be in with a shout.

Fell behind against Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, but rallied to net six across both matches and ensure progression to the knockouts.

Home support is an advantage, although the 1-1 draw with Cape Verde brought a few fans back down to earth.

Enjoyed a 100-percent record in the group stage, taking three points against Egypt in their opener before following that up with strong performances against Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.

All’s gone the Super Eagles’ way so far; but how long will it continue?

Lethal attackers, quality midfield, eliminated the reigning champions, the Ivory Coast have been there before and look well placed to go the distance again…even if their route to the final looks tough.