)
Uganda, Congo and South Sudan all progressed to the last eight, with the latter qualifying as the best third-placed team with four points.
The Uganda Hippos will face Nigeria U20 in the quarter-final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U20 on Thursday, March 2.
Uganda was involved in a twitchy, complicated situation with Congo as Group B of the tournament climaxed on Sunday, with both teams locked on five points after playing all three games.
The Hippos eventually finished as Group B winners following an unprecedented draw of lots in Cairo.
The final set of matches in the group saw Uganda play to a goalless draw against neighbours South Sudan at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.
A little over 127 kilometres down the Ismailia Desert road, Congo was held to a goalless draw by bottom side Central African Republic at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo.
Uganda, Congo and South Sudan all progressed to the last eight, with the latter qualifying as the best third-placed team with four points, but the conundrum lay with the two aforementioned nations as they could not be separated by any of the set tie-breakers.
According to tournament regulations, if two teams are tied on points after all games have been played in a group, the following formula was to be utilized.
Goal difference in head-to-head matches is considered, the goal difference in head-to-head games followed by goals scored in a game between the two.
Important to note that Uganda and Congo played to a 2-2 draw on Thursday, and couldn’t be separated by the three guidelines.
Beyond that criteria, if teams are still tied, then the goal difference in all group matches and goals scored in all group matches are considered, before a draw of lots is carried out.
Uganda and Congo have each scored four goals and conceded three after the two produced identical 2-1 victories in their opening group games.
Congo awaits the runner-up of Group C, where another exciting situation is developing between Benin, Tunisia and Zambia, who are all still in contention for the runners-up slot. Gambia was confirmed as the group leader on six points.
Benin is guaranteed of progress to the quarter-finals. They are can qualify as either one of the third-best teams.
They hold the advantage in Group C as they are second on two points, they need at least a point to progress with the hope that results elsewhere are in their favour.
On the other hand, Zambia and Tunisia meet in a straight playoff for a slot in the quart-finals. They are both locked on one point after one game, and can as well take either the runners-up position with victory.
A draw between the two will see Tunisia progress to the next round courtesy of a better goal difference.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)