AFCON: The competition starts to get tasty as Africa look to crown a new champion

Nine points and a perfect record in the group stage of any competition is a poison chalice.

It puts a large target on your back with the possibility of the team peaking too early as others grow into the competition.

The African Cup of Nations starts now and the men have been separated from the boys despite the elimination of African superpowers like Ghana and Algeria. The Round of 16 is our next port of call and it promises to deliver intrigues and potentially a few upsets.

The Round of 16 has already begun with several tasty ties and it will most certainly deliver at least one upset as this year’s AFCON has been shaped on some shock results.

Burkina Faso v Gabon

Gabon has been quite impressive with how they have responded on the pitch to all the negative press that led to their participation at this AFCON. Also, the absence of their talisman and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has not affected the team as they have played with freedom and no inhibitions.

On the other hand, Burkina Faso has not been as impressive as many expected. The Burkinabes have displayed some level of naivety in their play but managed to hold on to finish second in their group just ahead of Cape Verde.

Burkina Faso go in as favourites to progress to the quarter-finals but that would hinge on them being very discipline to cut out some of those nasty and unnecessary tackles, otherwise, they would leave the door open for Gabon to take full advantage.

Nigeria v Tunisia

Tunisia has failed to impress at this AFCON and only snuck on the last day of the group stage. The fluidity we have come to be accustomed to from the Tunisians seems to be lacking in this team, but like every team from North Africa, they are still very dangerous and they know how to frustrate their opponents.

Nigeria qualified with the best record from the group stage, securing three wins from three, very impressive and heartwarming for many followers of the Super Eagles. What makes Nigeria particularly dangerous has to be the fact the goal-scoring burden is been shared around the team. Six goals scored, six different goalscorers and one goal conceded from the penalty spot which shows their solidity in defence.

Both teams have history as Nigeria defeated Tunisia at the previous AFCON to claim third place, however, Tunisia defeated Nigeria on route to winning their only AFCON trophy in 2004. The Super Eagles have all it takes to get the better of the Cartage Eagles, but still, the match has the makings of a truly intriguing contest that is not as straightforward as some would think.

Guinea v Gambia

This matchup has the makings of a proper slugfest with neither giving up an inch. Gambia has been very impressive at their maiden AFCON progressing from a group that had Tunisia and Mali. The Scorpions’ pace upfront would worry any team and Guinea will have to be at their best to close up the gaps that the likes of Musa Barrow and Ablie Jallow would be seeking to exploit.

Guinea has not impressed and progressed into the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams, finishing behind Malawi and losing to Zimbabwe on the final matchday of the group stage. The National Elephants are also expected to miss captain Naby Keita for this crucial clash against Gambia.

Cameroon v Comoros

A proper David v Goliath match-up, and there is only one question that needs answering, can Comoros eliminate another giant out of the competition? They have already knocked out four-time champions Ghana, however, can they knock out the host?

A quick look at the bookies shows that Comoros’ odds to win are 47/1, truly ridiculous odds should the small island nation pull off the biggest upset in AFCON history.

Cameroon has looked good so far but looks suspect with set pieces and balls over the top. In tournament top scorer and captain, Vincent Aboubakar, they are well armed to make light work of Comoros to progress to the next round, however, the Coelacanths will still put in a fight to justify their place among the best 16 teams in Africa.

Senegal v Cape Verde

When this draw was decided, everyone was caught in two minds. On one side, you feel that Senegal may explode into this competition now and just steamroll everyone in their path after a poor group stage performance, but on the other hand, looking at what Cape Verde has achieved in the last few years, this just feels like a match that has upset written all over it.

Senegal has lacked a cutting edge all through the tournament and has found goals hard to come by, whereas Cape Verde have proven their full worth in this competition and only finished third on goals difference. If Senegal are to progress into the next stage, all components of their team need to start ticking otherwise this golden generation would be another set of underachievers.

Morocco v Malawi

Malawi, another of the surprise teams of this AFCON, finished second in a group that had Senegal and Guinea and held the former side to a goalless draw which is no mean feat. They will approach this game with confidence and the belief that they can match their opposition.

Morocco has grown into the competition after a laboured victory against Ghana, a better performance against Comoros and an end-to-end battle with Gabon. The quality of the Atlas Lions squad is gradually coming through despite the omission of Hakim Ziyech with the likes of Sofiane Boufal having a good tournament so far.

Ivory Coast v Egypt

This is a blockbuster match-up that would be fit for a final any day. Ivory Coast has looked like one of the better sides in this AFCON while the Pharaohs of Egypt have looked quite ordinary and uninspiring despite the presence of their superstar, Mohamed Salah.

If the Ivorians can exert control in this game, they will get the better of the Egyptians. The Elephants’ strength lies in their physical attributes and their pace on the flanks which will trouble their opponents, especially if they line up with a back three.

Once the Ivorians utilise the volume of chances they create, they would qualify comfortably. Egypt would love to stay in the game as much as possible, employing a counter-attacking style against an Ivorian defence that has shown vulnerability with teams that set up this way with quick transitions.

Mali v Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea did the unthinkable by ending Algeria’s long-standing unbeaten run, finishing with back-to-back wins to progress from their group as runners-up. Mali topped their group with an over-dependence on penalties.

Mali has a strong and physical team with the impressive duo of Amadou Haidara and Yves Bissouma running things from midfield. Mali would be good value to advance and this will be as far as Equatorial Guinea’s endeavours can take them.

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