Cote d'Ivoire await Cup of Nations fate with final round of games in Group F

Hosts Cote d'Ivoire will discover their fate at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday following the final round of games in Group F where Tanzania face Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia take on Morocco.

Cote d'Ivoire's players will find out whether they will take part inthe latter stages of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations following the final round of games in pools E and F. AFP - FRANCK FIFE

Cote d'Ivoire need Morocco to beat the Zambians in San Pedro in order to advance to the knockout stages as one of the four best third-placed teams.

A draw would give the Zambians three points - the same tally as Cote d'voire - but the Zambians have a better goal difference.

The game between DRC and Tanzania at the Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly in Korhogo will not affect Cote d'Ivoire's destiny.

Morocco will advance to the knockout stages whatever the result.

However, Morocco's preparations for the game at the Stade Laurent Pokou were overshadowed by the aftermath of the the flare-up between the Morocco boss Walid Regragui and the DRC skipper Chancel Mbemba at the end of the match between the two sides on 20 January in San Pedro.

Regragui denied making any racist comments to Mbemba.

“Unfortunately, with social networks, with what is happening in the world, with the hatred there can be on both sides, I received racist messages and death threats," said Regragui.

State

"Unfortunately, I think the player also received them on his side. It shows we’ve reached extremes for football matches and it’s shameful.”

Mbemba implied to journalists after the game that Regragui insulted him. 

Mbemba’s Instagram account was targeted by users who used racist images.

TV replays showed Regragui seeking out Mbemba after the game when the player. Mbemba took Regragui’s hand and clapped him on the back. But Regragui kept hold of Mbemba’s hand and carried on talking.

The player angrily pulled his hand away and gestured for the video referee before players from both sides jumped in.

“What I did after the match, I do it all the time,” Regragui explained.

Tension

“Maybe there was tension there and I should have let it go when he didn’t look at me. From now on I will go shake the coach’s hand and that’s it.”

Regragui added: “In his interview, Mbemba never spoke of racism. It’s society that’s sick. People are taking advantage of it and it’s getting worse.

"And there are bad people on both sides. I’m here to calm things down. I condemn the messages he received and mine.”

Morocco beat Tanzania 3-0 in their opening game but found DRC doughtier combatants in the second match.

Following their exploits at the 2022 World Cup where they became the first African country to reach the last four, Regragui's men are expected to lift the the Cup of Nations trophy on 11 February.