Two years ago, the CAN contested in Cameroon, under fire from critics, needed advocacy to perfect its legitimacy. This year, it does not suffer from any dispute on the sporting level. Better still, she deserves to be praised, justified by quality matches, exciting teams and, above all, a mess of goals. A CAN that the Ivorian president, Alassane Ouattara, wanted to be “the best ever organized”. She is perhaps the best ever contested, and that is already no small thing. However, on a thread, Ivory Coast is feverishly waiting to see whether or not it is qualified for the round of 16 of its competition. The passion is still there. The procession worthy of a South American atmosphere ahead of the opening match was there to witness it. The scenes of violence in Abidjan also demonstrated this, albeit in a slightly less envious way. Nothing to spoil the enthusiasm of a competition that lives at full speed.
The artists are out
However, everything did not start well. André Onana did not deign to miss a match with Manchester United, too bad for him. Cameroon qualified without him, replacing Gambia, and their match against Senegal is already one to forget. Umar Sadiq was repatriated to Spain for a long-term injury, but was already on the pitch a few days later with Real Sociedad. Surprising, but not disabling, for Super Eagles armored vehicles in attack. While Mohamed Salah’s injury deprives the competition of one of its jewels, and his management leaves doubt, Emam Ashour and Trezeguet are there to remind us that the ranks of the Pharaohs are full of ball players. Among the nuggets, the competition deserves to see the South African Themba Zwane again, so graceful against Namibia, while it is already guaranteed to benefit from Gelson Dala or Lamine Camara, at least for one additional meeting.
Baghdad Bounedjah and Mostafa Mohamed have demonstrated that Africa is full of top-class scorers, just like Emilio Nsue, who is reaching historic heights at the head of an astonishing Equatorial Guinea. Behind them, there is a string of bangers that we were able to witness. In scattered order, Bebe, Mohamed Konaté, Pablo Ganet, Sidi Bouna Amar, Aboubakary Koita, Azzedine Ounahi and Mohammed Kudus – to name but a few – graced the group stage with achievements each as sublime as the next.
Top 5 of the most beautiful goals of the second day of the CAN#axemedia #can2023 #burkinafaso #Cape Verde #ghana #mauritania pic.twitter.com/m8DEHfTsOC
— Ax Media – Cameroonian news every day (@axemedia2023) January 22, 2024
All these flashes also have a most enjoyable consequence: the goals are raining down in Ivory Coast. 88 pieces have already been registered, while four matches still have to be played this evening. This is already 20 goals more than in the last two editions at the end of the group stages (68 in 2019 and 2021), or an average of 2.75 units per match for the moment. All teams scored and no match ended in a goalless draw. Did you say entertainment?
Exploits, suspense, and a pronounced taste for the finish
In the department of surprises, those most fond of great stories and great debacles were served. Mozambique shook Egypt, Cape Verde brought down Ghana, as did Namibia with Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea crushed Ivory Coast at home, while Mauritania beat and eliminated Algeria . The Gambia even believed for a few moments in its qualification for the round of 16. A dream come true for Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde and Angola, all first in the group, but also for Mauritania of a decidedly inspired Amir Abdou at the CAN, a year after shaking up the continent at the head of the Comoros. This Wednesday evening, Zambia and Namibia could well torture an entire nation by playing a nasty trick on the host country. Didier Drogba asked the Ivorian people to unite behind Morocco, whose victory would ensure the Elephants see the next round. African giants, who have three CANs, forced to stick together to counter the ever more pronounced emergence of the continent’s smallest teams. Everything will be decided at the finish, in the last matches of these group stages. A beautiful allegory of what this first round will have been, all in suspense, until the end.
Indeed, no less than 18 goals have so far been scored after the 85th minute of a match while nine of them were literally played in the money-time. The end of the match of the third day of this first round notably used dramaturgy. So ask Egypt, long virtually eliminated, or Ghana, conversely described for long minutes. The Gambia also believed in its destiny, and without VAR, could perhaps have afforded a Maradonaesque finale. By necessity, Cameroon also went through all the emotions, just like the many spectators and viewers. This formula allowing the drafting of the four best third-place finishers is as much a torture for calculators as it is a delight for thriller fans.
Behind the scenes, things are also moving
It should also be noted that these progressions on a sporting level are accompanied by numerous tensions once the 90 minutes are over. Between the general tumult which followed the Morocco-DR Congo match, the acerbic remarks of Aguibou Camara towards Gambia, followed by apologies it is true, the quarrels between players and journalists, or even directly between the main followers of the competition, we were able to experience some quite surreal moments outside the green rectangle. Yes, also, the stadiums are not always full so far, yes we have seen certain organizational hiccups, like the pitches in Abidjan which quickly deteriorated, inherent to such a competition, certainly there is racism so far to puke but when the time comes to whistle the end of the group stage, football has probably won the first battle. Hoping that the nations still involved maintain this freshness and dynamism once the fear of the void of cleaver matches arrives. We already know that Nigeria and Cameroon will cross swords, that the two Guineas still in the running will be opposed, just like the two “little Thumbs”, Cape Verde and Mauritania, who will ensure the presence of a new surprise in quarter-finals. An enticing program, which only asks to keep all the promises sown over the last ten days.
Faris Moumbagna arrives in Marseille to “break everything”
2024-01-24 11:00:26
#CANthological #edition #Ticket
