Which AFCON team surprised the most throughout the tournament?

An analytical review of how the tournament played out.

Throughout the tournament there where many surprises with many big nations having an early exit. These teams included four-time champions Ghana being knocked out in the group stage, yet managing to score 5 goals and having 3 nations with a lower rank than them in their group. The Black Stars drew withEgypt and Mozambique whilst losing to Cape Verde in their opening game.

In all 3 games they managed to create less chances and have less shots than their opposition even when they had a stronger squad on paper. For Ghana this was a very disappointing display after being one of the favourites to take home their 5th AFCON trophy. West Ham and Ghanaian winger Mohammed Kudus even published a post straight after their elimination explaining the ‘disappointment’ they have shown their nation.

Last AFCON champions Nigeria managed to reach the final yet again but came off short when they lost 2-1 against the home nation, Ivory Coast. In the group stage they played the Ivory Coast but managed to scrape a 1-0 win when William Troost-Ekong scored from the penalty spot, he also scored in the final from the corner to make it 1-0 and took home the player of the tournament trophy.

The Super Eagles were another team that struggled a lot through the tournament, they only just about reached the final after a 6-5 win on penalties against 65th ranked South Africa. In the Quarter Finals they only managed to beat Angola 1-0 when Ademola Lookman scored just before half time. Yet again this was another game where they didn’t get many shots on target (SOT) by only getting 3 all game. Even after their poor performances the Super Eagles nearly won back to back trophies.

Going into the tournament the Super Eagles where number 1 favourites.

Cape Verde won the hearts of so many throughout the campaign and at times people started to believe they could be the ones taking home the trophy. In the group stage they beat Ghana 2-1 on the opening weekend when Monteiro Alvarenga scored whilst Mendes Rodrigues scored a 92nd minute winner to clarify the 3 points. They then went on to beat Mozambique 3-0 which practically clarified that they will progress from the group. They ended their group campaign with a 2-2 draw to Egypt.

With a group that had both Ghana and last year’s finalists in, Egypt, a lot of people would never had believed Cape Verde the 73rd ranked team in the World would have made it out. The one thing that was constantly said about the Blue Sharks was the way they played their football with no fear, in both the Ghana game and the Mozambique match they created more chances (15 and 11 shots) whilst carrying the most possession in both. They never once doubted themselves.

In the knockout stages they went on to play Mauritania when they won 1-0 and South Africa. It was this game that their time had finally come to say goodbye to the competition when they drew 0-0 but lost on penalties 2-1. With their young team I believe this will not be the end of the road for Cape Verde and there is a high chance we will see them compete at the highest stage on a regular basis.

The home nation Ivory Coast won their 3rd AFCON trophy after beating reigning champions Nigeria. The Elephants nearly had an early exit when they lost to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, but a huge win against Guinea Bissau in their opening game clarified qualification. Not many teams qualify with only 3 points so from the start of the tournament, luck was on their side. Throughout the knockouts they didn’t have an easy ride after beating Senegal on penalties in the quarter finals after being dominated throughout the whole match. They then went on to beat Mali in the 120th minute whilst equalising in the 90th minute.

In the semi-finals the beat DR Congo 1-0 after creating many shooting chances (14) but they finally found the net when Seb Haller scored in the 65th. In the final they had a slow start but with the fans help they made sure they stayed in the game and brought it home and yet again it was their star man, Seb Haller, that made sure the trophy was there’s. Throughout the competition they made it hard for themselves but with being the home nation luck was on their side and Ivory Coast won their 3rd AFCON.

This tournament has proven yet again that there are so many African powerhouses and it won’t be long until an African team wins the World Cup again.