the tops and flops of the first round of the competition

7 mins

THE TOPS

Senegal and Morocco meet

Reigning African champion, Senegal did not tremble during this first round. Confident of their strength, serene and concentrated, the Lions of Teranga held their place, wringing their necks from the disastrous destinies of previous champions of recent years. Aliou Cissé and his men even achieved a full success – three matches, three victories – the only one in this first round. Mention also for Morocco, semi-finalist of the last World Cup and logically designated among the favorites of this CAN. The Atlas Lions took 7 points out of 9 and will be more than ever expected.

Read alsoRankings, results and calendar for CAN 2024

“Small teams” create surprises

There are the favorites on one side and on the other the “small teams” that we didn’t expect. In the first place Cape Verde who took first place in group B. First qualified, the Blue Sharks beat Ghana and Mozambique and held off Egypt by obtaining a draw. First qualified for the final phase of the competition, the Cape Verdeans will face Mauritania in the round of 16. Mourabitounes who also caused a sensation in this competition by achieving the first victory in their history in a CAN and at the same time their first qualification in the eighth. Same thing for Namibia which won the first victory in its history against Tunisia and which will face Angola, which brilliantly won first place in Group D, in the eighth.

An avalanche of goals and spectacle

We were thrilled during the first phase of the competition. Only three matches ended 0-0. The fireworks made the talk with 89 goals scored in 36 matches (2.47 goals/match on average); for comparison, 100 goals were scored throughout CAN 2022 in Cameroon. Some meetings of the third and final day will be remembered, such as Cameroonian resurrection against Gambiathe return of Mozambique against Ghana, the last suffocating minutes between Cape Verde and Egypt, the historic qualification of Mauritania against Algeria…

Audiences in stadiums

This is often the downside of the African Nations Championships: the low attendance in the stadiums outside of the host country’s matches. It is clear that this 2024 edition was able to remedy the problem. Despite a small delay in lighting and a controversy over the crowds and ticket sales during the first matches of the competition, the public is there. The matches are not sold out but the stadiums are generally three quarters full, almost unheard of for a CAN.

The astonishing Equatorial Guinea and its top scorer Emilio Nsue

This is undoubtedly one of the sensations of this CAN. Equatorial Guinea achieved the feat of finishing first in group A ahead of Nigeria and Ivory Coast. All in style since the Equatorial Guineans scored nine goals in three matches carried by their 34-year-old striker who usually plays in the Spanish third division, Emilio Nsue, already the author of five goals which places him at the top of the scorers’ rankings. . The Nzalang nacional also achieved the feat of beat Ivory Coast 4-0 in an incredible match which almost cost the Elephants their place in eighth. Next step for Nsue and her teammates, Guinea against whom she will play her place in the quarter-finals on January 28.

FLOPS

Ivory Coast humiliated

While it had started its CAN rather well by winning 2-0 against Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast completely missed its last two matches. Unable to come back to score against Nigeria, the Elephants experienced total humiliation against Equatorial Guinea, missing out on a match which they lost 4-0 at home against their home crowd. A rout that cost his job to French coach Jean-Louis Gasset, replaced by his assistant Emerse Faé for the rest of the competition. Qualified in extremis as the best third, the Ivorians are miraculous but will they have the mental resources necessary for the round of 16 which awaits them against Senegal, reigning African champion and winner of its three group matches?

Algeria and Belmadi next to each other

It seems a long time ago when the Fennecs ruled Africa. It was in 2019, and since then, Algeria has been doing badly. Exited in the first round of CAN 2022, eliminated on the verge of the race for the 2022 World Cup, the Greens are heading out again after three matches of this CAN 2024. Djamel Belmadi, the fiery coach, no longer has the words or the formula to make Algeria win. The technician especially distinguished himself by quarreling with the press. After the fatal defeat against Mauritania, the man who led the Fennecs for six years left his place. His successor will have to rebuild a team tired by these recent failures.

Tunisia harmless

A small goal is all that Tunisia will have been able to offer the public in the space of three matches. The Carthage Eagles showed themselves to be completely incapable of winning a single match. Defeated 1-0 by Namibia, the Tunisians snatched a draw against Mali 1-1 but they were muzzled by South Africa 0-0 in a match which would have allowed them to qualify in the event of a victory . Coach Jalel Kadri resigned after the elimination of his team.

Ghana is scuttling

Accustomed to playing the leading roles, Ghana is falling into line. Two years after the slap received in Cameroon (elimination in the first round), the Black Stars relive the same nightmare in Ivory Coast, with the added bonus of having dug their own grave. Beaten to the wire by Cape Verde, neutralized by Egypt, the Ghanaians fell in the money time against modest Mozambique; while leading 2-0, the Ayew brothers and their teammates were joined in added time. Two points on the clock are too few to climb among the best third places. Unsurprisingly, coach Chris Hughton was let go. And Ghana must once again review everything from top to bottom.

Mo Salah’s quest for the Grail thwarted

Having become king with Liverpool, Mohamed Salah is still chasing continental consecration with Egypt. Twice already he has failed in the final. At 31, the striker no longer wants to miss out on the CAN. But this Ivorian edition starts badly for him. Scorer from the penalty spot in the first match, the Pharaoh was injured in the hamstring during the second match. An injury which could deprive him of the rest of the competition, according to his club Liverpool, who would prefer to have him return to the United Kingdom for treatment.