Africa Cup of Nations Group A permutations

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – All four teams in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations have a chance of making the quarter-finals when the final fixtures are staged Sunday.

Leaders South Africa face Morocco at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and surprise side Cape Verde tackle last-place Angola at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

The Group A winners face the Group B runners-up — most likely the Democratic Republic of Congo or Mali — in Durban on February 2 and the runners-up travel to Port Elizabeth to meet the Group B winners — probably Ghana — the same day.

South Africa (4 pts/plus 2 goal difference)

Win: Finish top of table

Draw: Qualify and stay top of the table unless Cape Verde win and finish with superior goal difference or more goals scored

Loss: Would still qualify as runners-up on head-to-head rule if Angola win, or Cape Verde draw, but go out if Cape Verde win

Cape Verde (2 pts/level)

Win: Would qualify as group winners or runners-up

Draw: Would go through if Morocco lose, but second place would be settled by goals scored, disciplinary records or drawing of lots if Morocco also draw

Loss: Eliminated

Morocco (2 pts/level)

Win: Would qualify as group winners or runners-up

Draw: Eliminated if Cape Verde or Angola win — if Cape Verde draw, second place settled by goals scored, disciplinary records or drawing of lots

Loss: Eliminated

Angola (1 pt/ minus 2)

Win: Only hope of survival, and even maximum points not enough if South Africa lose as hosts would advance on head-to-head rule

Draw: Eliminated

Loss: Eliminated