AFCON DAILY: A dramatic draw propels Egypt to Round of 16; Ghana, Ivory Coast on brink of elimination.
In today’s edition of AFCON daily, we’ve got match reports from the four thrilling games played on January 22nd.
We also have previews from today’s Group C and D action.
Ivory Coast 0–4 Equatorial Guinea
Host nation Ivory Coast may be crashing out of the tournament after they slumped to a 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea.
Emilio Nsue continued his fine goalscoring form with a brace, with Pablo Ganet and Jannick Buyla also netting.
Whereas Equatorial Guinea top Group A after a monumental victory, Ivory Coast might not progress as one of the four best third-place finishers with their final tally of three points.
The Equatoguineans took the lead in the 42nd minute when Carlos Akapo weaved into the Ivorian box and slid the ball across to Nsue, who claimed his fourth goal of the tournament with a cool finish.
The Elephants thought they had found a rapid reply, but Ibrahim Sangaré was offside as he poked home in stoppage time.
The Ivorians looked to have levelled again in the 67th minute, but Jean-Philippe Krasso was also offside as he curled the ball into the Equatoguinean net.
Frustration turned to despair in the 73rd minute, when Ganet’s precise free-kick beat Yahia Fofana in the Ivorian goal.
With the home crowd drained of all energy, capitulation continued after the restart.
José Machín broke out on the counter almost immediately, helping the ball onto Nsue who finished with characteristic composure.
The Equatoguineans showed no mercy in the closing stages either, netting a fourth through Buyla in the 88th minute.
The final whistle blew, giving way to the sound of Equatoguinean ecstasy and the silence of Ivorian heartbreak.
Jonny Coffey
Guinea-Bissau 0 – 1 Nigeria
A much-changed Guinea-Bissau side created plenty of chances, but a 36th minute own goal from Opa Sanganté was the difference maker and handed Nigeria three points. Nigeria finish second in Group A and will face the Group C runners-up on Saturday, 27 January.
An evenly-matched first half changed in the 36th minute after Sanganté accidentally fired the ball into his own net. The Guinea-Bissau defender could not get his body positioned to deal with Moses Simon’s cross with the pressure of Victor Osimhen behind him.
Osimhen missed a big chance in the 78th minute after a ball into the box from Ola Aina could only be headed wide of the post. This started a period of chances flying for both sides.
A dangerous set piece from Fali Candé caused a diving save from Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabili. Guinea-Bissau thought they found the equaliser in the 83rd minute, only for it to be chalked off for offside. Less than a minute later, Nigeria thought they had added to their lead, but Osimhen was deemed offside in the build-up.
Missed chances from both sides meant the own goal was enough to earn Nigeria the win and a ticket into the knockout stages. Guinea-Bissau, however, leave AFCON with only a point to their name for the fourth time in a row and waiting for their elusive first AFCON win.
Julia Andersen
Egypt 2-2 Cape Verde
The Pharaohs secure qualification in the absence of captain Mohamed Salah due to injury, benefiting from Ghana’s draw with Mozambique (2-2) in the same round. Egypt finishes second in the group with 3 points, behind Cape Verde who sit at the top led by coach Pedro Brito with 7 points.
Both teams started the match at a high pace, with the Pharaohs eager to secure an early goal to ease up the game. Mostafa Mohamed had a clear opportunity to score in the 12th minute but his header missed the target.
Another goal opportunity missed by Mostafa in the 21st minute when Marmoush’s powerful shot towards Cape Verde’s goal rebounded in front of him. However, he awkwardly placed the ball into the hands of the Cape Verde goalkeeper.
But the blue sharks were able to take the lead goal in the 45th minute after a series of defensive mistakes by the Pharaohs, with a shot from Gelson.
With the start of the second half, the Egyptian national team introduced the duo Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’ and Mohamed Hamdy.
Trezeguet leveled the score in the 50th minute with a brilliant combination play with defender Ahmed Hegazi.
Mustafa Mohamed scored the second goal in the 93rd minute from a long pass, skillfully turning it into a well-placed shot in the goal.
Cape Verde managed to equalize after a cross that the Egyptian defense failed to clear, allowing Bryan Teixeira to convert and secure the equalizing goal in the 99th minute.
Mohammad Joseph
Ghana 2-2 Mozambique
Ghana crashed out of the tournament in stunning fashion after squandering a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 against Mozambique in a frenetic final matchday for Group B.
Ghana forward Jordan Ayew opened the scoring in the 15th minute after coolly slotting his penalty into the side of the net to give the Black Stars a 1-0 lead.
His brother, Andre Ayew, was subbed on at half-time and became the most capped player in tournament history with 37 appearances. Ayew became the third player to participate in eight African Cup of Nations tournaments after being called-up to the Ghana squad.
Jordan Ayew doubled the lead from the spot once again in the 70th minute after Ghana was awarded a penalty due to a handball from a Mohamed Kudus’ volley in the box.
Mozambique was awarded a penalty as well after a handball from Andre Ayew in the box in the 90th minute. Winger Gemy Catamo converted from the spot to give Mozambique a lifeline in the closing moments of the game.
Mozambique center back Reinildo equalized in the 94th minute on a header from a corner to make the match 2-2.
Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Cape Verde sealed Ghana’s early exit as Egypt’s point took them to three points and 2nd place in the group. Ghana and Mozambique both finished level with 2 points, with only goal differential separating the two sides.
Ghana– 3rd in Group B, 2 points, -1 GD
Mozambique– 4th in Group B, 2 points, -3 GD
Jaden Dakwa
What’s on today?
Cameroon vs Gambia (17:00 GMT)
The curtains drew on Group A and B last night, so Groups C and D take centre-stage today.
Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions have failed to make their mark on Group C and their qualification hopes hang in the balance as a result.
They were swept aside by Senegal despite the return of André Onana in their most recent fixture, having shared the points with Guinea – who they now trail by three points – on matchday one.
The Guineans have a three-goal advantage on goal difference too, so a win may not be enough to claim second even if Senegal are victorious. Nonetheless, a total of four points will almost certainly assure Cameroon’s status as one of the four third-place finishers progressing to the knockouts.
As captain Vincent Aboubakar continues his battle for fitness, they must find a way to win with or without their talisman.
Luckily for Cameroon, Gambia have also failed to impress. Tallying zero points accrued and goals scored, The Scorpions will have to show marked improvement if they are to prevent the Indomitable Lions from gaining a vital three-points.
Senegal vs Guinea (17:00 GMT)
Anything other than a loss will secure pole position for Senegal as they take on Guinea this afternoon. With six goals scored and one conceded, the Lions of Teranga have made an emphatic statement — they will not let their AFCON crown slip without a fight.
Guinea has the assurance of four points, which almost guarantees their progression as either a second- or third-place finisher. Additionally, a draw takes them beyond the reach of Cameroon in second-place, so expect a stern defensive approach from the The Syli National.
Algeria vs Mauritania (20:00 GMT)
Baghdad Bounedjah rescued Algeria an important point with his 95th minute equaliser against Burkina Faso, but The Desert Foxes remain in a precarious position having also drawn their opening game against Angola.
Djamel Belmadi’s side lie two points behind Angola and Burkina Faso in Group D, and anything less than a win puts them at risk of a second consecutive group stage exit.
Mauritania may have never won an AFCON game, but Algeria must not underestimate the difficulty they will encounter here. In their opening fixture, the Lions of Chinguetti kept Burkina Faso’s attack quiet until Bertrand Traoré’s 96th minute penalty stole a Burkinabè win. They may have lost against Angola too, but two goals from open-play showcased their growing capabilities in attack.
Burkina Faso Vs Angola (20:00 GMT)
Sitting level on four points at the top of Group D, Angola and Burkina Faso will have their sights set on securing the top-spot this evening.
Both sides drew against Algeria and edged past Mauritania, earning them growing reputations as dark horses ahead of the knockout phases.
Angola have a slight advantage on goals for, so will finish above The Stallions in the event of a draw.
Four points likely assures qualification as a third-place finisher, so this is something of a free-hit. Combine that with the fact that the Group E winner will await Group D’s runner up, while its winner gets a third-place finisher, and there is little reason not to aim for all three points.
Jonny Coffey
