By Aliyu Yakubu Yusuf
As the dust settled following thrilling first-round matches at the ongoing AFCON in Ivory Coast, here are the main talking points:
African football has dispelled the stereotype
Most football enthusiasts often malign African football as a turgid, dull, low-quality affair with little excitement, panache and flair. However, the ongoing edition of AFCON is anything but boring. There were plenty of genuinely entertaining and high-scoring games. So far, 89 goals have been scored in the 36 group-stage games. Some of the standout encounters include Equatorial Guinea’s 4-2 defeat of Guinea Bissau, Egypt’s trio of 2-2 draws against Mozambique, Ghana and Cape Verde; Angola’s and Cameroon’s pair of 3-2 wins over Mauritania and Gambia, respectively, as well as Ghana’s and Algeria 2-2 draws against Mozambique and Burkina Faso, respectively. Most of the games played have been filled with drama and excitement. Long may this continue.
Nigeria has not joined the party yet
For a country boasting arguably the best array of attacking players in the continent, it is shocking that the Super Eagles have managed to score a paltry three goals in 270 minutes of football. How the goals were scored makes it all the more disappointing: a fortuitous Victor Osimhen header, a Troost-Ekong penalty and an own goal. When you can call upon the likes of Osimhen, Onuachu, Chukweze, Lookman, Simon and Iheanacho, you expect to score a bucketful of goals regardless of the strength of the opposition. So far, this has yet to materialise for the Super Eagles. On the flip side, history has shown that international tournaments are often won by teams which start slowly and grow as the tournament progresses. Will the Super Eagles’ fortunes change in front of goal change in the knockout rounds? I hope so.
Underdogs are writing their own stories
The group stage has thrown a lot of surprises to spectators. The biggest casualties are three former champions in Ghana, Algeria and Tunisia, who have already taken the first flights home with their tails firmly between their legs. While most of the continental giants have flattered to deceive, the relative minnows have managed to put their names on the continent’s footballing map. Cape Verde topped the pool, which contains illustrious names such as Egypt and Ghana. Equatorial Guinea finished ahead of the more fancied Nigeria and Ivory Coast. Mauritania defeated and finished ahead of former champions Algeria. And Namibia qualified to the next round at the expense of Tunisia. Undoubtedly, the tournament’s biggest and most impressive performance came from Equatorial Guinea, who recorded a resounding 4-0 mauling of the host, Ivory Coast. The sight of the disbelieving face of Didier Drogba and the distraught Ivorians will remain iconic for generations.
Senegal are the team to beat
I think this doesn’t even need to be explained to anyone who follows the events of the last two weeks at the AFCON. The Teranga Lions are the only team to have qualified from their group with maximum points. They won all their games with a minimum of fuss. Their talisman, Sadio Mane, may be approaching the twilight of his career. Still, with the spine of Mendy in goal, Koulibaly and Diatta in defence and Gana-Gueye and Matar Sarr in midfield, the defending champions have all it takes to retain their trophy. Come the end of the tournament, Senegal will be there or thereabout.
West Africa rules the roost
Half of the 16 nations still standing at the AFCON are from West Africa (Nigeria, Guinea, Cape Verde, Mauritania, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali and Burkina Faso). With the biggest threats in Egypt, Cameroon and Morocco looking quite vulnerable and easily beatable, the stage is set for West African countries to dominate the latter stages of the tournament.
Aliyu Yakubu Yusuf wrote from Kano. He can be reached via aliyuyy@gmail.com.