Prime News Ghana

AFCON 2023: Cape Verde beat Mozambique to qualify for last 16

By primenewsghana
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Bebe scored a 40-yard free-kick as Cape Verde beat Mozambique to become the first team to book their last-16 place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Rayo Vallecano forward, once of Manchester United, smashed in a strike which keeper Ernan Siluane should have done better with.

Captain Ryan Mendes took advantage of a defensive mistake to double their lead.

Kevin Pina then hammered a brilliant strike into the top corner from outside the box to seal the win in Abidjan.

Mozambique's best moments came through Geny Catamo. He won a penalty in the first half, which was overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR), hit the crossbar with a free-kick and had one of their two shots on target.

Victory means Cape Verde have guaranteed top spot in Group B, ahead of former champions Egypt and Ghana, with a game to spare.

The Blue Sharks face the North Africans in their final group match on Monday (20:00 GMT) knowing that they will meet a third-placed finisher from Group A, C or D in the last 16 seven days later.