Ivory Coast’s dreams of success at the Africa Cup of Nations were shattered as they suffered a shocking 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, placing them on the brink of elimination from their own tournament.
The host nation, Ivory Coast, finished third in Group A, leaving them with only a slim chance of advancing to the next stage. Equatorial Guinea emerged as the surprise group winners, surpassing even Nigeria in the standings.
The defeat for Ivory Coast was compounded by two additional goals from Emilio Nsue, the hat-trick hero from their previous victory against Guinea-Bissau, along with strikes from Pablo Ganet and substitute Jannick Buyla.
Despite Ivory Coast having two goals disallowed for offside and squandering several scoring opportunities, Equatorial Guinea maintained control throughout the match. The Elephants now face an agonising wait until the conclusion of the group stage on Wednesday evening to determine their fate.
The Elephants had moments that could have altered the course of the game, including a potential penalty when Nicolas Pepe was fouled in the area, but the opportunity was missed. VAR played a significant role, confirming offside decisions that nullified goals and intensified the disappointment for the hosts.
Equatorial Guinea’s dominance was evident when Akapo set up Nsue for a goal just before half-time. The 34-year-old former Birmingham and Middlesbrough full-back, captaining his country, showcased his experience by calmly slotting the ball into the net.
Despite efforts to mount a comeback, including denied chances and disallowed goals, Ivory Coast couldn’t overcome Equatorial Guinea’s resilience. A curling free-kick from Ganet in the 67th minute and a counter-attack led by Jose Machin resulting in Nsue’s second goal sealed their fate.
In the closing minutes, substitute Jannick Buyla hammered the final blow, securing a comprehensive 4-0 victory for Equatorial Guinea and completing what could be considered one of the biggest upsets in AFCON history.
The Elephants now face an uncertain future in the tournament, relying on other results to determine if they can progress to the next stage. Ghana’s capitulation helped in that regard however.
West Ham could see Mohammed Kudus return sooner than expected following Ghana’s late stumble against Mozambique at AFCON. Despite Jordan Ayew’s two penalties securing a 2-0 lead, a late collapse resulted in a 2-2 draw.
Subsequent to Kudus’ substitution on 88 minutes, Mozambique capitalised on a penalty and corner to level the score. With Ghana currently third in their group, Kudus might be back at West Ham this week, offering relief for Moyes amid the team’s struggles without him.
Spare a thought for Kudus, for whom representing his country holds great significance. Even if Ghana secures a spot among the best third-placed teams, challenges loom in the next round, and Kudus’ return to West Ham seems likely.
In light of West Ham’s recent struggles without Kudus, his potential return comes as a welcome boost for Moyes and the club. The Ghanaian midfielder has been a key figure for West Ham, and his absence has been felt in their performances.
As the team gears up for the upcoming clash against Bournemouth on February 1st, having Kudus back in the lineup could be crucial. The unpredictable nature of football means that anything can happen in the remaining AFCON matches, but West Ham fans will undoubtedly be eager to see their hero back in action at the London Stadium.
In a thrilling encounter in the Africa Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles of Nigeria clinched a spot in the knockout stage, demonstrating resilience to keep their second clean sheet of the tournament.
The match, which saw a lone own-goal securing the victory for Nigeria against Guinea-Bissau, showcased the team’s determination to progress in the tournament.The decisive moment occurred when a cross into the Guinea-Bissau box inadvertently found its way into the net off the foot of their defender, Opa Sangante. The 1-0 win propelled Nigeria forward, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities in the high-stakes competition.
The decisive moment occurred when a cross into the Guinea-Bissau box inadvertently found its way into the net off the foot of their defender, Opa Sangante. The 1-0 win propelled Nigeria forward, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities in the high-stakes competition.
Nigeria’s defensive prowess played a pivotal role in the triumph, with Kenneth Omeruo emerging as a standout performer. Omeruo’s commanding presence, marked by well-timed tackles, aerial dominance, and precise passing, solidified the team’s backline.
The synergy between Omeruo and the impressive Calvin Bassey contributed significantly to Nigeria’s resilience, thwarting the opposition’s attempts and securing a clean sheet.
Despite both teams having their share of opportunities, Nigeria’s defense held firm, and a notable save ensured they maintained their 1-0 lead. The collective effort of the defensive unit, coupled with strategic saves, showcased the team’s ability to navigate high-pressure situations.
As Nigeria secures the second spot in Group A, they now look ahead to the knockout stage, where they will face the runner-up from Group C. With Gambia already eliminated from the competition, Nigeria will face either one of powerhouses Cameroon or Guinea.
Looking forward, the Super Eagles will need to build on their defensive solidity while capitalising on offensive opportunities. So far they’ve missed way too many chances, a trait which could come back to bite them if they don’t fix it.
Reigning African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, has missed the most big chances (5) at the 2023 AFCON tournament.
The knockout stage promises intense battles, and Nigeria’s journey in the AFCON 2024 will undoubtedly be shaped by the team’s resilience, tactical acumen, and individual brilliance displayed on the pitch.
Football enthusiasts eagerly await the upcoming clashes as Nigeria aim to advance further in the quest for continental glory.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is set to make a comeback at the AXA Training Centre on Wednesday, launching into an intensive rehabilitation program with the club’s medical team following a more severe-than-expected muscle injury.
He sustained the injury while playing for Egypt last week. Exiting the Africa Cup of Nations fixture against Ghana in the first half, Salah’s initial prognosis suggested a two game absence.
Unfortunately his agent has announced that the 31 year old faces 3-4 weeks out. A return to Merseyside signals a collaborative effort with the Egyptian FA, allowing him to undergo treatment in Liverpool.
The objective is a swift recovery, aiming to get back on the field both for club and country, offering a potential return to AFCON action if Egypt advances further in the tournament after securing a spot in the knockout stage with a 2-2 draw against Cape Verde.
The Pharaohs were staring at an early exit as they struggled to beat Cape Verde, with Ghana holding a two goal advantage over Mozambique in the other game. Crazy injury time drama saw the Black Stars concede twice to allow Egypt scrape through as runners-up.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is set to return to Merseyside from the Africa Cup of Nations for treatment on a muscle injury, as confirmed by the Egyptian Football Association.
The forward sustained the injury during Egypt’s second group-stage match against Ghana, a pulsating 2-2 draw. The 31 year old is expected to miss the next two AFCON matches if Egypt advances.
The Egyptian FA stated on Sunday:
“After additional examinations were conducted on Mohamed Salah during the last hours, and after communication between the national team’s medical staff and his counterpart at Liverpool FC, it was decided that the player will return to England after the Cape Verde match tomorrow to complete his treatment, with the hope that he will join the national team in the semi-final of the AFCON if we qualify.”
The Pharaohs take on group winners Cape Verde tomorrow (20:00 GMT kickoff time) knowing anything short of a victory will see them crash out of the competition. It’s a tough task to navigate without their talisman.
