The Africa Cup of Nations started over the weekend in Ivory Coast, with exciting matches happening across Saturday and Sunday. Group A and B saw four games played across two days, with the host beating Guinea Bissau 2-0 before Sunday’s three fixtures that saw three former African champions play against lower-ranked teams without any of these three of them securing a victory.
After Seko Fofana’s third-minute strike led the hosts to an easy victory late on Saturday, many predicted an easy run for the likes of Nigeria, Egypt, and Ghana as they played against Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, and Cape Verde, respectively.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria were the first to stumble against Equatorial Guinea, who led in the 36 minutes of the first half of the games through Iban Salvador, although the three times would equalize through the Africa Player of the Year and Napoli striker Victor Osihmen two minutes later.
Nigeria couldn’t get the needed goal for the win and will now face Ivory Coast on Thursday, hoping to stay strong, while Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau will also play on the same day.
The clash between Egypt and Mozambique was a little more dramatic than Nigeria’s fixture, as Egypt led in the second minute of the game through Mostafa Mohamed. The first half ended that way, but 10 minutes into the second half, the tide of the game changed in favour of the Mozambicans, who scored two goals in five second-half minutes.
Goals from Witi and Clesio gave the Mambas hope of recording a first-ever Afcon win until a late penalty was avoided by Egypt and converted by Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah, which saw the game end in a 2-2 draw.
Group B’s other opponents, Ghana and Cape Verde, played in the final match on Sunday. Jamiro Monteiro gave the islanders the lead in the 17th minute, and Ghana then had a goal ruled out for offside before half-time.
However, Alexander Djiku equalized for Ghana with a header, but Ghana keeper Richard Ofori made two big saves before Rodrigues poked home from a rebound to grab victory.
Monday’s Fixtures will see defending champions Senegal face The Gambia, Cameroon play Guinea-Conakry, and Algeria face Angola.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu
