Ghana, Ivory Coast and Egypt highlight the fall of giants in AFCON

Ghana officially exits the African Cup of Nations AFCON in the group stage for the second edition in a row following another shambolic outing in Ivory Coast.

Ghana’s Black Stars exposed again in AFCON

Around this time two years ago in Cameroon, the scenario was the same for the Black Stars, as they failed to register a win in three games, picking up two defeats and just a draw in a good that featured Morocco, Gabon and Comoros.

This time around, it was worse given the circumstances of their failure, and the openings they could have benefitted from had they been more proficient to hold on to advantage.

In three group games, Ghana surrendered five points from position of advantage, the most of any other side in the ongoing African continental competition in Ivory Coast.

In their opening game against Cape Verde, though they were behind for most part of the game after conceding a 17th minute goal scored by Jamiro Monteiro.

Alexander Djiku was able to restore parity for Chris Houghton’s men just four minutes before the hour-mark. Unfortunately, they would go on to concede 91st minute winner to Garry Rodrigues as Cape Verde made away with all the points.

Black Stars slipping from position of promise

Mohammed Kudus gave Black Stars the lead twice in their second game against Egypt but they failed to preserve their advantage every other time as Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed scored to even the tie.

Their final group game left so much to despise about their outing. Jordan Ayew scored a 15th minute penalty to fire them in front after Infren Nanani was penalized for a foul on Joseph Paintsil.

The Crystal Palace man was again called upon from 12 yards 20 minutes from time. Kudus’ shot was block by Reinildo but with his hands, and Ayew doubled Ghana’s advantage to make it 2-0.

Unfortunately, Mozambique scored two goals in added time to deny the four time winners a passage into the next round of the tournament.

A hard one to swallow for Ghana and Ghanaians all over the world a their tournament again comes to an end after only three games.

A night to forget for Ivory Coast in Abidjan

Host nation Ivory Coast are in danger of not making it to the next round of the AFCON after falling to a humiliatig defeat to Equatorial Guniea in their final group game.

The Elephants started the tournament with a convincing win over Guinea-Bissau but fell to Nigeria’s Super Eagles in their second game, leaving them needing a win in their final game to finish in the top two in Group A of the AFCON 2023.

However, it was not meant to be as the National Thunder strike them for dead in Abidjan, scoring four second-half goals to win 4-0 and leave Jean-Louis Gasset’s men on the brink.

The Elephants of Ivory Coast represents another giant in African football not having the best outing in the AFCON even on home soil. Pathetic.

Pharaohs of Egypt lucky but not good enough

Egypt qualifies for the knockout rounds as runner-up in group B with just three points having drawn each of their three group games.

The record winners of the AFCON reached the final of the previous edition, where they lost out to Senegal on penalties, despite finishing runner-up to Nigeria in group stage.

However, performances in this edition has been nothing close to two years ago. The injury to Mohamed Salah has also impacted their outing.

Unfortunately, Salah is not the only missing piece as it looks like more will be needed to worked on if they are to avoid a heartbreak as early as the round of 16.

The Pharoahs of Egypt have been poor defensively, conceding twice in each of their three group games. Rui Vitoria has more work to do on the defence to ensure that their productivity is maximized in Ivory Coast.

other giants slumbering in Ivory Coast

Cameroon, Algeria and Tunisia have also all endured a tough start in the tournament, and all these summed up the fact that the giants of African football are relenting and their reign is now under massive threat.

Teranga Lions of Senegal became first-time winner following their conquest in the previous edition and have surely established themselves as one of the elites in the continent, thus adding to the threats the big guns have to condone with.

The likes of Equatorial Guniea, Capde Verde and others are starting to make impressions. And these are proving to be not only signs of improvement of Africa in the game but as well the demise of the reign of some known champions.

AFCON 2023 highlights this sad reality once more. And the consistency of a nation like Ghana on this side of the narrative leaves so much questions, one which fans are slowing welcoming as a pressing matter.

Hassan Afolabi