Cape Verde became the first nation to match into a knock out stage after thrashing Mozambique 3-0.
Tiago Bebe, Mendes and Pina were on the scoreboard as the winners garnered maximum points to lead Group B. Bebe scored a 40-yard free-kick as Cape Verde become the first team to book their last-16 place at the 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), and he also hit the crossbar with a free-kick.
Nobody would have expected the Blue Sharks to have won a group containing Egypt and Ghana with a game to go but that is precisely what happened.
Bubista’s side, ranked 73rd in the world, are in their fourth Africa Cup of Nations – and have progressed from the group stages in three of them.
Cape Verde, who beat Ghana, and Mozambique and drew with Egypt, both came into this game high on confidence after good opening results.
Egypt and Ghana, who sit on two and one point respectively, could both still go through with the four best third-placed teams reaching the last 16.
Mozambique, who have never won an Africa Cup of Nations game, can also reach the knockout stage if they beat Ghana on Monday.
