Late Drama and Missed chances Mark Opening Day of AFCON Group Stage
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicked off with a flurry of action, delivering late goals, surprising results, and a reminder of the tournament’s inherent unpredictability. Burkina Faso secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Equatorial Guinea, while holders Côte d’Ivoire narrowly defeated Mozambique 1-0. Let’s break down the key moments from these compelling opening encounters.
Burkina Faso Stun Equatorial Guinea in Five-Goal Thriller
Burkina Faso demonstrated remarkable resilience, overcoming a late scare to defeat Equatorial Guinea in a captivating match. The Stallions initially found themselves trailing, but a late surge secured all three points.
* Early in the game, Equatorial Guinea’s goalkeeper, Manuel Owono, was forced into a crucial save, denying Issa Ouattara.
* lassina Traoré thought he’d leveled the score in the 71st minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
* Against the run of play,Marvin Anieboh put Equatorial Guinea ahead with a powerful header from Carlos Akapo’s corner in the 85th minute.
* However, Burkina Faso refused to surrender, with Georgi Minoungou equalizing in added time after a driving run from Ouattara.
* Ultimately, Edmond Tapsoba completed the comeback, heading home the winner just three minutes later after Owono parried Cyriaque Irié’s cross.
This match highlighted Burkina Faso’s fighting spirit and Equatorial Guinea’s vulnerability despite taking the lead late in the game.
Côte d’Ivoire Secure Narrow Victory Despite Profligacy
Côte d’Ivoire, aiming to defend their title, secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against Mozambique, but the victory was far from convincing. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous opportunities, the Ivorians struggled to convert their chances.
* Amad diallo’s 49th-minute goal proved to be the difference, a composed side-footed finish in rainy conditions.
* You’ll notice that Wilfried Zaha, returning to international duty after a two-year absence, squandered several clear-cut opportunities.
* Franck Kessie also saw two close-range efforts expertly saved by Mozambique’s goalkeeper, Ernan.
* Further chances went begging, with Vakoun Bayo missing a simple header and having another effort cleared off the line late in the game.
Despite the win, Côte d’Ivoire will need to sharpen their attacking edge if they hope to progress deep into the tournament.
History Made by Mozambique Veteran
Amidst the Ivorian dominance, Mozambique’s Dominguez etched his name into the record books. At 42 years, one month, and six days old, he became the oldest outfield player to feature in an AFCON match, trailing only Egypt’s Essam El Hadary (who was 44 in the 2017 final).
Mozambique’s continued struggles at the tournament are also noteworthy. They remain winless in AFCON finals,with a record of four draws and twelve losses across six appearances since their debut in 1986.
Looking Ahead:
These opening matches set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling AFCON tournament.You can expect more drama, upsets, and moments of brilliance as the group stage unfolds.Stay tuned for further analysis and updates as we follow all the action.
