We’re down to the last eight of Africa Cup of Nations 2021, the business end of the competition and we’ll know who the winners are by this time next week.
For SBOTOP football fans around the globe the World Cup qualifiers are providing great entertainment, and the AFCON 2022 highlights have been fantastic too, though there was tragedy when Cameroon met Comoros in the Round of 16 as eight fans were killed and 38 injured in a crush at the Olembe Stadium before kick-off.
But the tournament goes on and, according to the latest AFCON 2022 betting odds, Senegal are favourites to lift the trophy, with hosts Cameroon, Morocco and Egypt all in the top four; but they won’t all make the semi-finals as the clash of the round pits the Pharaohs against the Moroccans on Sunday…
Sunday 30th January
Egypt vs Morocco
Morocco impressed in their group, with two wins and a draw, and they came through the Round of 16 clash coming back from a goal down to defeat Malawi 2-1. Gabadinho Mhango gave the Malawi Flames an early lead, but a goal from Youssef En-Nesyri and a beauty from Achraf Hakimi, which curled past Charles Thom and into the net gave the Atlas Lions a well-earned victory.
Meanwhile, Egypt had more of a struggle and could only beat the Ivory Coast on penalties after they couldn’t be split over 120 minutes. In fairness the Ivorians boast some fine players, but it was Egypt’s star man Mo Salah who fired home the decisive spot-kick to make it 5-4 after Manchester United defender Eric Bailly watched his penalty get saved.
Aston Villa winger Trezeguet impressed for Egypt after he came on as a 71st minute substitute, with a superb work rate and high-intensity pressing and he managed six shots in the time he was on the pitch, the most likely player to break the deadlock in a 0-0 stalemate.
Morocco might just have the edge in this one.
Senegal vs Equatorial Guinea
Liverpool striker Sadio Mane scored Senegal’s first goal in a 2-0 win over Cape Verde at the Stade Omnisports to book their place in the quarter-finals. Bamba Dieng scored Senegal’s second, but there was more drama as two Cape Verde players saw red and Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse was heavily criticised for keeping Mane on the pitch after a clash of heads with Cape Verde keeper Vozinha.
The Liverpool man stayed on the pitch to score the crucial opener but head injury campaigners were highly critical that he wasn’t substituted.
Equatorial Guinea needed a penalty shootout to see off Mali 6-5 after a 120-minute goal drought, keeper Jesus Owono the hero after he had kept a dangerous Mali side out in normal play before winning the shootout.
He’s going to be a busy boy against Senegal on Sunday and Sadio Mane is sure to be in the favourites’ front line as they aim to confirm their semi-final place.
Gambia vs Cameroon
The hosts are back in action on Saturday and it might be difficult for them to pick themselves up again from the tragedy at the Olembe Stadium. Once the Round of 16 games had started the Indomitable Lions made it through to the last eight with a 2-1 win over Comoros. Karl Toko Ekambi gave them a lead just mid-way through the first half and then skipper and top scorer Vincent Aboubakar doubled the lead well into the second period.
Youssouf M’Changama pulled a goal back to make it a tense finish but Cameroon held on to fight another day.
Elsewhere, Bologna’s young striker Musa Barrow gave Gambia a famous 1-0 victory over Guinea to book their place in the quarter-finals. The Scorpions have a sting which Cameroon must be wary of; but I suspect this is about as far as Gambia will go.
Burkina Faso vs Tunisia
The final tie of the round pitches together two teams that have showed bags of character to get this far, so we can expect a cracker when Tunisia meet Burkina Faso on Saturday.
The Eagles of Carthage beat highly fancied Nigeria after the Super Eagles had gone down to ten men. Their opponents were the only nation to win all three of their group matches and Tunisia were ravaged by Covid, but with over half their first 11 missing they won thanks to a goal from skipper Youssef Msakni just two minutes after half time. Burkina Faso beat Gabon 7-6 on penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes; and they have a team spirit and passion which will give them a chance against any nation, but I expect Tunisia to come through this tie, Covid allowing…
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