Boiling hot weekend in Coted’Ivoire
Over the weekend, the likes of Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania, Tunisia, Mali, Algeria and Burkina Faso all recorded captivating draws in the humid heat of Coted’Ivoire. On Saturday, The Stallions of Burkina Faso nearly embarrassed The Foxes of Algeria after maintaining a 2-1 lead to the dying minutes of the game. Baghdad Bounedjah snatched his beloved nation from the jaws of defeat after his powerful equalizer in added time. The Eagles of Carthage were also forced to come from behind to secure a point in their second game in Group E. Their opponents, Mali had gone ahead courtesy of Lassine Sinayoko but the goal was cancelled out 10 minutes later with a Hamza Rafia strike. The only winners of the day were Angola who marginally beat Mauritania in a five goal thriller.
Bafana Bafana bounce back in style
Group E got more interesting after Bafana Bafana put the disappointment of losing to Mali in their first match behind them. Despite the Brave Warriors of Namibia starting the better of the two sides, a hand ball by Riaan Hanamub against the run of play changed the narrative of the first half. The Amazulu defender was shocked to see the referee point to the penalty spot after a thorough VAR check. Percy Tau bravely stepped up to take the penalty, bearing in mind his dreadful miss against Mali. The Al Ahly forward kept his composure to score the first of four goals for South Africa. Two thunderous shots by Mamelodi Sundowns midfield maestro, Themba Zwane ended up at the back of the net in the 25th and 40th minute which demoralized the Brave Warriors of Namibia. Coach Collin Benjamin’s team increasingly became frustrated as the game progressed and lacked cohesion. Sundowns winger, Thapelo Maseko added a fourth goal to round off a stylish performance by South-Africa in Korhogo on Sunday night.
The 4-0 win over Namibia is South-Africa’s largest win in their country’s history at the Afcon finals and the widest margin of a win of any of the matches played at this year’s tournament so far. Bafana Bafana must repeat this excellent performance in their last game against Tunisia to advance to the second round.
The Elephants on the brink of elimination
By Monday, the 22nd of January, the drama at the Afcon tournament had reached fever-pitch. The third round of matches that decided who stays and who leaves Coted’Ivoire with immediate effect had begun. The continent turned on its TV set’s to an interesting string of histrionic matches that were played simultaneously in Group’s A and B.
In one of the biggest shocks of Afcon 2023, the host nation, Coted’Ivoire were humbled by Equatorial Guinea. Two goals from Emilio Nsue and one each for Pablo Ganet and Jannick Buyla condemned the talented Elephants of Ivory Coast to an embarrassing 4-0 defeat in front of a packed stadium of heartbroken fans. They aren’t out of the tournament just yet, but their chances are slim. The Elephants camp will certainly remain steadfast in prayers as they wait for other results over the course of the week to know their fate. The humiliated hosts have finished third on the table in Group A, behind Equatorial Guinea and the Super Eagles of Nigerian who recorded a slim 1-0 win against Guinea Bissau.
Drama, Drama, Drama & more Drama in Group B
Just when we thought we had seen it all, Group B later served football lovers around the world with a cocktail of football drama. The Black Stars of Ghana were in action against the Mambas of Mozambique while the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde had a classic showdown with the Pharaohs of Egypt.
Crystal Palace winger Jordan Ayew scored penalties in each half and the Black Stars appeared to be cruising to glory with a two-goal lead seemingly intact late into the game. However, The Mambas had other ideas and found two goals late into extra time to stun an anxious Chris Hughton and all Ghanaians in attendance. The result means Ghana is out of the tournament and Chris Hughton was immediately fired.
As the drama was unfolding at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, the heat was rising to farfetched levels at the Le Félicia in Abidjan.
What a game between Egypt and Cape Verde!!
Group winners Cape Verde gave Egyptians a game they will surely never forget!
The blue sharks opened the scoring against the run of play when Benchimol Tavares scored at the end of the first half. The Pharaohs came into the second half determined to go home with all three points. Striker Trezeguet scored a sublime equalizer in the 50th minute. There was late drama in the match when Pharaohs forward Mostafa Mohamed netted what looked to be a 93rd-minute winner. A lengthy VAR check soaked the stadium air with anxiety as it was unclear if Mostafa Mohamed had controlled the ball with his chest or his arm. The goal was eventually given, much to the relief of all the Egyptians in the stadium who wildly celebrated. However, there was still more drama to come as Cape Verde’s Silva Teixeira Jr. scored right before the final whistle of the match blew.
What a game! Egypt joins Cape Verde, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and Nigeria in the next round.