Kenya, Tanzania shine bright as group stage ends in nations tournament

The group stage of the African Nations tournament has closed with two clear beacons emerging as the quarterfinals loom.

In Group A, Kenya powered through with consistency, while in Group B, hosts Tanzania showcased both grit and flair to set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling knockout phase.

Kenya finished top of Group A after an unbeaten run in four matches, playing with defensive discipline and clinical finishing.

The Harambee Stars won three games and drew one, scoring four goals and conceding just one to end with 10 points and a +3-goal difference. Their defensive record was the best in the group, underlining their resilience.

Close behind was Morocco, who dazzled with attacking football, scoring the highest tally in the group at eight goals.

Despite a single slip-up, the Atlas Lions won three of their matches to collect nine points, with a superior +5 goal difference, the best in the pool.

DR Congo fought hard to stay in contention, managing two wins and two defeats. With five goals scored and four conceded, they finished on six points and a narrow +1 goal difference, showing promise but lacking the consistency to match the top two.

Further down, Angola and Zambia struggled. Angola picked up just four points from a win, a draw, and two losses, conceding six goals in the process for a -3 goal difference.

Zambia endured the harshest campaign, losing all four matches, scoring only twice and conceding eight, ending with no points and a -6 goal difference.

In Group B, the hosts Tanzania lit up the stage with strong home support driving them on. The Taifa Stars remained unbeaten, winning three matches and drawing one, scoring five goals and conceding only once.

They closed the group on 10 points with a commanding +4 goal difference, sending a strong message to their quarterfinal rivals.

Madagascar impressed as one of the group’s surprise packages, securing seven points from two wins, a draw, and a single loss.

They netted five goals and conceded three, ending with a +2 goal difference and showing they could be dark horses in the knockout stages.

Mauritania also collected seven points with a balanced campaign of two wins, one draw, and one loss. Though their exact scoring record was tighter, they ended with a +1 goal difference, enough to guarantee a spot in the quarterfinals.

Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic (CAR) had disappointing runs. Burkina Faso managed just three points, with one win and three defeats, scoring a solitary goal and conceding three. CAR, meanwhile, never recovered from a poor start they lost three matches, drew one, scored only twice, and conceded seven, finishing bottom with a single point and a -5 goal difference.

As the dust settles, Group A and Group B’s top performers Kenya and Tanzania, both unbeaten and brimming with confidence, head into the quarterfinals carrying the hopes of their nations and setting the benchmark for others.

Behind them, Morocco and Madagascar remain formidable challengers with attacking flair, while Mauritania, DR Congo, Angola, Zambia, Burkina Faso, and CAR exit the stage, but not without leaving behind moments that shaped the group battles and influenced the paths of the quarterfinal contenders.