CAN 2022, the 33rd edition of the great meeting of African football, ended on Sunday February 6 with Senegal’s historic victory over Egypt (0-0, 4 shots on goal to 2). Before closing this new page, let’s take a look back at the main facts, events and characters that marked this month of competition in Cameroon.
With our special correspondents in Yaoundé,
Senegal finally champion of Africa
Unhappy finalist in 2019, Senegal presented itself in this AFCON 2022 with favorite status. And he had a sluggish start with only one victory and only one goal scored – from a penalty – in the first round. But when the knockout phase began, the Lions gradually ramped up, successively taking out Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso. And at the end of a hung final, Senegal overcame Egypt, the most successful nation in the competition (7 coronations). After so many disappointments, the Senegalese can finally exult: they rule the continent.
Covid is turning heads
The Covid was obviously central during this CAN, but between the restrictions and measures announced, and not always respected, the assessment of the impact of the Covid on the competition is necessarily biased. An example: during the Senegal-Egypt final, hundreds of Senegalese who arrived the same day in Yaoundé did not have to present a negative test. The controversy over Cameroonian players, never positive, has also fueled the debates to the point that the president of the Cameroon Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o was forced to react. ” It is unhealthy to accuse Cameroon of cheating by manipulating the Covid tests (…) It must be understood that under my mandate, I could not defend such a practice (…) I prefer to lose than to win by cheating he blurted out
Vincent Aboubakar, unleashed scorer
The captain of Cameroon was untenable during this CAN, remaining silent only against Egypt in the semi-finals. Vincent Aboubakar scored 8 goals, including three doubles against Burkina Faso twice and against Ethiopia. The striker did better than South African Benny McCarthy and Egyptian Hossam Hassan, who scored 7 goals in the 1998 CAN. Aboubakar is the second top scorer in history on a single CAN after the Congolese Ndaye Mulamba and his 9 goals in 1974. He equals the Ivorian Laurent Pokou, author of 8 goals during the CAN 1970.
Sadio Mané at the top
He was expected as the leader of a Senegal candidate for the title. And he assumed his role, especially when the knockout stage began. An accomplished player with Liverpool, Sadio Mané now touches the stars with the national team. Author of three goals and two assists, the striker was almost the unfortunate hero of the final with this missed penalty from the start. But history tipped his side. The No. 10 kept the danger on the Pharaohs’ defense for 120 minutes, and he did not escape when he struck the 5th decisive shot on goal, the one that crowned Senegal. Sadio Mané then quickly awarded himself the title of best player of this CAN.
The Algerian belly
The enormous sensation of CAN 2022 was undoubtedly the elimination of Algeria, defending champion, from the first round. A huge disappointment for the Fennecs who were aiming for a second consecutive trophy and who had arrived in this African Cup with a series of 34 matches without defeat. Three games later, Djamel Belmadi’s men left Douala without a win with a draw against Sierra Leone (0-0) and two defeats before Equatorial Guinea (0-1) and Côte d’Ivoire (3-1). ). And above all with a game and a commitment unworthy of the African champions that they were in 2019 in Egypt.
The drama of Olembé
It was to be a simple match of the round of 16 between Cameroon and the Comoros, Monday January 24 in the new stadium of Olembé. The party turned tragic when, an hour before kick-off, the careless opening of a door at the south entrance led to crowds of spectators and a murderous stampede. Eight people lost their lives, including a 6-year-old child. New security measures were taken after this tragedy, and no other incident was reported afterwards. But this CAN 2022 will remain marked by this tragic event.
Stadium controversy
It started with a debate on the quality of the pitch at the Japoma stadium in Douala after Algeria lost to Equatorial Guinea (0-1). It ended with a relocation of a quarter-final and a semi-final to Yaoundé. All without a clear explanation from CAF which transferred the matches from Japoma to Ahidjo, after the tragedy at Olembé. In defiance of a whole small economy which had bet on the CAN and to the chagrin of the populations of Douala who experienced some of the most beautiful posters of the CAN such as Côte d’Ivoire-Algeria, Egypt-Côte d’Ivoire or even Cameroon -Gambia.
The Comorian feeling
The Comoros will not forget their first participation in the African Cup of Nations. Placed in Group C with Morocco, Ghana and Gabon, the Coelacanthes were far from favorites. Defeats to the Panthers and to the Atlas Lions had compromised their chances of surviving the first round. But the Comorians managed the feat of scalping the Ghanaian Black Stars and snatching a place among the best third. Then, in the round of 16, the Covid-19 deprived the Comorian selection of goalkeepers: it is therefore Shaker Al Hadur, usual defender, who settled in the cage. Comoros played with a lot of heart and courage against the host country and lost only 2-1. Comorians have earned respect in this CAN. And at home, they were celebrated as heroes.
The Gambian Revelation
For their first participation in the CAN, the Gambian Scorpions made a strong impression with a course that ended in the quarter-finals in front of Cameroon (0-2). Before, this team, modeled by the “druid” Tom Saintfiet, surprised everyone by winning against Mauritania (1-0), Tunisia and Guinea (in the round of 16). Fresh, light, like their coach, Gambia, led by their striker Musa Barrow, their left-hander Ablie Jallow and their captain Pa Modou Jagne, is the revelation of this CAN 2022. A big feat for a team, which has remained without victory from 2013 to 2018, and 150th in the FIFA rankings, at the dawn of this competition. Hat !
Mukansanga, a Rwandan woman with a whistle
She will forever be the first. Rwandan referee Salima Rhadia Mukansanga was the first woman to referee an African Cup of Nations (CAN) match against Guinea-Zimbabwe (2-1) on the third day of group B. It was the first even times that an all-female team refereed a CAN match. The one who practiced basketball hope that many girls and women will take advantage of this moment to come and live their passion. “The next World Cup?
The discomfort of Janny Sikawze
On January 12, Tunisia and Mali (group F) entered this CAN in the middle of the afternoon, under the sun of Limbé. With the Eagles leading 1-0, the game took an unexpected turn: Janny Sikawze, the referee, signaled the end of the game in the 85th minute. Faced with protests, the Zambian relaunched the debates, before putting an end to them again, and this time definitively, a few moments later, while there was still playing time. The anger of the Tunisians did not change anything. , the result was approved. Janny Sikawze explained later in the columns of The Team having been the victim of a very serious heat stroke on the lawn: ” Within 5 minutes I could fall into a coma, they told me at the hospital. I could have fit in a coffin. »
Kamou Malo, local guide
The eternal debate between African and European coaches was again invited to CAN 2022 and the Burkina Faso coach Kamou Malo raised the voice of the first. Pure local product, the technician has only trained in his country, hence the pride of having led his Burkina Faso to the semi-finals after having missed the previous edition. ” Capacity is not unique to Europe. If we have the confidence of our authorities, we can move mountains “, he dropped on the eve of the semi-final against Senegal. He will have been the guide of a Burkinabè team with a good course despite the political turmoil in Ouagadougou.