CAN 2023 : All favourites eliminated before the quarter-finals !
Surprising elimination of Morocco and Senegal in the round of 16 significantly shake up the landscape of AFCON 2023. It’s a true revolution that has taken place : none of the eight teams still in the competition had reached the quarterfinals in the last edition, two years ago in Cameroon!
The magic of football lies in the surprises it brings! And, to say the least, AFCON 2023 offers its fair share of unexpected twists. The 5 teams present at the 2022 World Cup (Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Cameroon, and Ghana) are already eliminated, as well as the top 5 African teams in the latest FIFA rankings – Morocco (13th), Senegal (20th), Tunisia (28th), Algeria (30th), and Egypt (33rd) – and also the 8 quarterfinalists from the last edition in 2022 (Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Gambia, Egypt, and Morocco). Among the 8 teams still in contention, half have never won an AFCON (Angola, Cape Verde, Mali, Guinea) !
Among the upcoming matches, the most anticipated quarterfinal is the derby between Mali and Ivory Coast on Saturday. Cape Verde-South Africa will take place on the same day, while the other two fixtures, pitting Nigeria against Angola and DR Congo against Guinea’s Syli National, will happen the day before. Despite the early elimination of some of the most renowned teams and usual favorites, the tournament remains captivating.
The elimination of powerhouse teams highlights the unpredictable and exciting nature of this competition. This unexpected turnover of teams in the competition demonstrates the progress and diversity of African football. AFCON 2023 thus reminds us that football is not solely the prerogative of traditionally dominant teams. It provides a stage where lesser-known teams can shine. Even without the usual « giants, » AFCON remains an exciting tournament, full of surprises and exceptional football moments.
