In the past week we have seen the Spanish U21 side claim the European Under 21 Championships in Italy, followed by the United States women’s team landing the FIFA Women’s World Cup and also Brazil claimed a memorable Copa America victory when defeating Peru 3-1 in the final at the Maracana. All that and we haven’t even mentioned the events unfolding at the African Cup of Nations in Egypt over the past week or so.
After a rather run of the mill Group stage, the tournament exploded into life in the Round of 16, with a number of unexpected results, none more shocking than the host nation and AFCON favourites Egypt being beaten on home soil by an unfancied South African side. However, they were not the only big-name team to go out of the competition in the first round of knockout games.
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AFCON Round of 16 Review
Here’s how the eight Round of 16 ties finished after an exhilarating round of matches.
- Morocco 1-1 Benin (Benin win 4-1 on penalties)
Benin have not won a game in this tournament as yet, but four draws in a row, together with a 4-1 victory on penalties, saw them edge past a disappointing Morocco side. Benin have proven to be a tough team to beat and their defensive skill needs to be matched by greater attacking intent if they are to make a mark in the latter stages of the tournament.
- Uganda 0-1 Senegal
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane grabbed the goal that moved Senegal into the quarterfinals against a battling Uganda side, but he also missed a second half penalty, his second spot kick miss of the tournament to make things a little less nervy for the west African side. Uganda struggled to create chances against a well-marshalled Senegal defence, led by Napoli ace Kalidou Koulibaly.
- Nigeria 3-2 Cameroon
One of the games of the tournament so far provided us with twists and turns aplenty as two of the biggest names in African football met at the Alexandria Stadim. Odion Ighalo opened the scoring for Nigeria before two goals in quick succession just before half time from Bahoken and N’Jie put Cameroon in front at the interval. Ighalo levelled on 63 minutes and then Arsenal wide man Alex Iwobi snatched a 66th minute winner to send the Super Eagles into the quarter finals.
- Egypt 0-1 South Africa
There were tears aplenty in the Cairo National Stadium at full-time as the tournament favourites and hosts, Egypt, were dumped out of the tournament by South Africa who tactically got this game spot on. By double and triple teaming Mo Salah, South Africa nullified Egypt’s main threat and their confidence grew as a result. This culminated in Lorch’s deserved 85th minute winner for the visitors to hand them a surprise berth in the quarterfinals.
- Madagascar 2-2 D.R.Congo (Madagascar win 4-2 on penalties)
Madagascar’s incredible run in this tournament continued as they battled through on penalties against the DR.Congo. Amada put Madagascar in front early on in the game only for Bakambu to grab his third goal of the tournament to level. Andriatsima put Madagascar back in front on 77 minutes and they almost held on before Mbemba levelled in the final minute. With no goals in extra time, Tisserand and Bolasie missed for DR.Congo as Madagascar scored all four of their penalties to progress.
- Algeria 3-0 Guinea
For me, the best team in the tournament so far made light work of defeating Guinea to move into the quarterfinals in ominous fashion. Algeria’s three goals, scored by Belaili, Ounas and a sublime strike from Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez, means that they have scored nine goals in the tournament so far without conceding a single goal and for me, they look like the team to beat if you want to win the AFCON.
- Mali 0-1 Ivory Coast
A very even contest between two physically powerful and well-organised sides was always likely to be very tight and so it proved, but in the end it was the Ivory Coast that progressed thanks to Wilf Zaha’s 76th minute strike, a long ball was flicked on by Kodjia and Zaha fired low under the keeper to give Ivory Coast the lead and in truth, they never looked like losing it despite late Mali pressure.
- Ghana 1-1 Tunisia (Tunisia win 5-4 on penalties)
There was real drama in this game and it all came to life after 73 minutes when Khenissi handed Tunisia the lead. Ghana pushed but it took an own goal two minutes into injury time from the substitute Bedoui to bring the. Ghanaians level. Extra time passed without a goal but Tunisia substitute their keeper Ben Mustaphia for Mouez for the penalties. It proved to be a wise move as Mouez saved Ekuban’s spot kick and with Tunisia scoring all their goals, they edged the win.
AFCON Quarterfinal Draw and Tips
Senegal v Benin
Senegal are very short odds (9/20 with bet365 at the time of writing) to defeat Benin in this game and it is not difficult to see why. Benin are tough to score against but offer little attacking threat themselves and Senegal should be strong enough defensively to hold them out and if Senegal can score one, as I feel they will, the should win this game. Tip – Senegal to win (9/20)
Nigeria v South Africa
South Africa were very impressive against Egypt but I think they will have to adopt a different approach against Nigeria who have more attacking threats than Egypt. As such, I feel Nigeria may have the quality to hurt South Africa. I can see both teams scoring here and this could be a game with a few goals, but I am still backing Nigeria to win. Tip – Nigeria to win (Evens)
Ivory Coast v Algeria
Ivory Coast are always a tough team to beat and they are capable of beating any team on their day. Zaha will give Algeria’s defence their sternest test of the tournament but I also feel Mahrez and co will do likewise for the Ivory Coast back line too. Algeria must be confident after four superb displays and so I am backing them for the win here. Tip – Algeria to win (11/10)
Madagascar v Tunisia
Madagascar for me have been the surprise of the tournament so far but they face a Tunisia side packed with experience and that are very well organised defensively. I think this is the one quarterfinal which may need extra time to decide the winner, maybe even penalties and while I feel it may be Tunisia that progresses, I feel a draw at 90 minutes is the best bet here. Tip – Draw (12/5)
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