Namibia secures a spot in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time, while Tanzania disappointingly fails to advance following a draw.

In an interview ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s League Cup match against Newcastle United, manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his desire to win a trophy in England. Pochettino, who has been at the helm of Spurs since 2014, has yet to secure silverware with the club. However, he remains determined to change that and sees the League Cup as a potential opportunity.

Speaking about the upcoming tie against Newcastle, Pochettino acknowledged the challenge that lies ahead. He described it as a “tough” match, highlighting the quality of the opposition. Despite this, he emphasized his team’s ambition to progress in the competition and ultimately lift the trophy.

In a historic moment for Namibian football, the national team, known as the Brave Warriors, secured their place in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time ever. This achievement came after a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Mali.

Namibia’s journey in the tournament has been impressive, with their opening group game against Tunisia resulting in a 1-0 victory. This win proved crucial in their qualification for the next round. Despite facing a dominant Mali side, Namibia displayed resilience and determination, withstanding pressure and managing to keep a clean sheet.

Collin Benjamin, the manager of the Brave Warriors, expressed his pride in the team’s performance. He commended their character and hunger, highlighting the significance of this milestone for Namibian football. Having only qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals on three previous occasions, Namibia will now face Angola in the next round, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

While Namibia celebrated their historic achievement, Mali also had reason to rejoice as they topped their group for the third consecutive tournament. However, despite their consistent group stage success, Mali has struggled to progress beyond the quarter-finals since 2013.

Their quarter-final opponents will be Burkina Faso, and Mali will be eager to break their quarter-final curse and advance further in the competition. With a talented squad at their disposal, Mali will be hoping to make a strong statement in the knockout stages.

Tanzania’s dream of reaching the knockout stages for the first time in their history came to an end as they faced a resilient DR Congo side. Needing a victory in their final group game, Tanzania failed to break down their opponents’ defense and were forced to settle for a draw.

DR Congo, despite not securing a win in the group stage, managed to finish second and progress to the last 16. With a record of three draws, they demonstrated their ability to hold their own against tough opposition. Their next challenge will be a quarter-final clash against Egypt, as they aim to continue their journey in the tournament.

Overall, the Africa Cup of Nations has provided thrilling moments and surprises, with teams like Namibia and DR Congo defying expectations and making their mark on the competition. As the tournament progresses, the excitement and anticipation for the knockout stages continue to build.