Mali, South Africa and Namibia Secure Spots in AFCON 2023 Round of 16 after Goal-less Stalemates

At the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro city, neither Namibia nor Mali managed to find the back of the net, resulting in a deadlock that ultimately propelled Mali to the next stage. Deon Hotto from Namibia was honored with the man of the match title, showcasing his exceptional performance on the field.

A parallel scenario unfolded at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly stadium where South Africa faced off against Tunisia in another goal-less encounter. Despite the absence of goals, South Africa's Themba Zwane earned recognition as the most outstanding player in the match, contributing to his team's advancement to the Round of 16.

The resilience and defensive prowess displayed by Mali and South Africa were pivotal in securing their progression to the knockout stage of the tournament while Namibia came in at 3rd positioners. As the AFCON 2023 continues, fans can anticipate further exciting matchups and intense competition as teams vie for the coveted championship title.