Major Successes and Setbacks in the AFCON Round of 16
Alrighty then, let's dive into the dusty, thrilling world of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)! The Last 16 stage hit the nail on the head with a whirlwind of action, drama, and a touch of chaos. Here's a run-down of the heroes and zeros from this raucous round.
Champs and Champagnes:
Bafana Bafana
Who needs sugar, spice, and everything nice when you have a solid performance like Bafana Bafana? They staged an epic comeback against Morocco, beating them 2-0—their biggest margin of victory in a knockout game since the 1996 final. Bafana has a habit of not losing a knockout game at AFCON after scoring the first goal (since 1996), and this match was no exception. Take a bow, Bafana!
Ronwen Williams
Amid the chaos, one man stood tall—or should we say dived)? Morocco's captain Hakimi had a chance to score from the spot with just five minutes left to play. But Morocco's misery was compounded when Williamslunged in the right direction and at the right height, denying Hakimi a goal. His teammates celebrated as if he had caught the ball, such was the quality of his save. That's ammo for the bragging rights' tank!
Hugo Broos
Not every manager can拥有玩 inferiority complex or demand the respect of their players, yet Hugo Broos manages to do both with aplomb. With Cameroon and Bafana Bafana, Broos has lost just one of the 10 games he's managed at AFCON (P10 W6 D3 L1). Not too shabby, Mr. Broos!
Angola
They had the smallest chance of winning AFCON when the tournament kicked off, but Angola made history as the first team to win a knockout stage game at AFCON. Their 3-0 win over Namibia was their biggest ever win at AFCON.Sound the trumpets, Angola!
Underachievers and Overreactors:
Senegal
The adage "it's not about how you start, but more about how you finish" could have been Senegal's mantra for this tournament. With a 100% record in the group stages, Senegal were eliminated in the Last 16 by Ivorian craftiness. Bye-bye, Lions of Teranga!
Emilio Nsue
He could be the tournament's top-scorer, but Emilio Nsue has missed penalties that potentiality changed results—and his chances of snatching the Golden Boot. Sleep tight, Emilio!
Egypt
Egypt struggle with the sudden death of penalty kicks. Of the last eight AFCON knockout matches involving Egypt, five have gone to penalties. Three have been won, and two have been lost—including the 2021 final and this very match. Ouch, Egypt!
Red Cards
Five players were sent off during the Last 16 matches, more than were sent off in the first 36 games of the tournament. Moreover, four of the five teams with dismissed players were eliminated. Better luck next time!
Stay tuned, folks! The AFCON quarterfinals are just around the corner. You never know what twists and turns this whirlwind of football might bring. Keep your fingers crossed for drama, drama, and more drama!
Bafana Bafana maintained their impressive streak of not losing a knockout game at AFCON after scoring the first goal, following their 2-0 victory against Morocco, the biggest margin of victory in a knockout game since the 1996 final. Angola made history as the first team to win a knockout stage game at AFCON, achieving their biggest ever win at AFCON with a 3-0 victory over Namibia.
