AFCON Recap: Key Discussions
Fiery Take on AFCON's Exciting Round of 16
The 2021 AFCON may be a thing of the past, but the 2022 edition's Round of 16 has certainly kept soccer enthusiasts on their toes. Here's a rundown of the electrifying matches that went down.
Lookman Shines Bright for Nigeria
Ademola Lookman, the once highly-touted youngster in the English Premier League, has faced his share of criticism for not living up to expectations. However, at the AFCON, he's been a standout player, and his performance in the Round of 16 was no exception.
Against a struggling Cameroonian side, Lookman scored a brace as Nigeria breezed past their opponents with ease. The 26-year-old Atalanta winger will be crucial in the quarterfinals as he looks to guide his nation to victory.
Senegal's Lions Roar No More
The Lions of Teranga dazzled in the group stages and looked set to make a deep run in the tournament. But, alas, their Cinderella story was cut short by hosts Ivory Coast in the Round of 16, who edged them out in a nail-biting 5-4 penalty shootout victory.
While it's tough to label Senegal's performance as poor, they faced a determined Ivory Coast and couldn't break through. The outcome marks a setback, but the young team has plenty of potential to continue making waves in future tournaments.
DR Congo Advances through Penalties yet Again
DR Congo has had an unusual run in the AFCON, with no regular-time wins and three drawn matches in the group stage. Remarkably, they've managed to advance to the quarterfinals, thanks to two consecutive draws and a win in the Round of 16 via penalties.
Next up for DR Congo is a quarterfinal match against Guinea. Whether they can finally secure a regular-time victory remains to be seen.
Bafana Bafana's Defensive Masterclass
Morocco, who made history as the first African nation to reach the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup, were heavy favorites when they took on Bafana Bafana in the final fixture of the Round of 16. But Hugo Broos' team surprised everyone with their disciplined play.
Bafana Bafana's defense was rock-solid, especially Teboho Mokoena, who dominated the midfield with a player-of-the-match performance. The team never appeared rattled and put up a strong fight against Morocco. The impressive display bodes well for their future matches.
A New Set of Quarterfinalists Takes the Stage
Interestingly, not a single team from the 2021 AFCON quarterfinals will contest the quarterfinals this year. Instead, eight new teams will battle it out in the upcoming rounds, spicing up an already intriguing tournament. The teams to keep an eye on are Nigeria, Guinea, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Morocco, Gambia, Tunisia, and Equatorial Guinea.
It's been an exhilarating ride so far, and fans can expect even more thrilling matches as the tournament progresses. Stay tuned for more updates on the 2022 AFCON!
- The electrifying Round of 16 matches in the 2022 AFCON aren't limited to African football, as European leagues such as the Premier League are also closely watching the performance of Ademola Lookman, a former English Premier League youngster who is currently shining for Nigeria.
- Preparations for the quarterfinals are heating up in the 2022 AFCON, with European-league teams like Morocco, currently making waves in the World Cup, joining the African-league powerhouses such as Nigeria, Senegal, and others, creating an exciting blend of sports and international competition.
