Last-gasp goals, underdogs slaying giants… highs and lows of AFCON group stage

No phrase best describes the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast than “expect the unexpected”. For the past two weeks, the tournament has been projecting a tectonic shift in the balance of African football: Gone are the days of giants crushing minnows. Now, every team demands and commands equal respect and attention. The five Ivorian cities hosting the competition have witnessed reels of inconceivable moments that tell the positive leap football has made on the continent. 

AFCON has seen 87 goals in just the group stages alone. There was no goalless draw until the final day of the group stage. Emilio Nsue, a 34-year-old who sometimes plays as a right-back for a club in the Spanish third division, is currently the leading scorer of the tournament.

The group stage not only produced some fascinating underdog stories but added fantastic twists to them: last-gasp goals.

TheCable recaps the awe-inspiring moments from the AFCON group stage.

GHANA, ALGERIA, TUNISIA CRASHING OUT

Arguably the biggest talking point was the humbling pie tabled before some of the bigger teams in the competition. Ghana, Algeria and Tunisia have seven AFCON trophies between them — but this year’s tournament is no respecter of track record.

Just two days into the competition, two big upsets were served. Egypt had to rely on a late Mohammed Salah’s penalty to rescue a 2-2 draw against Mozambique. In the following game, Ghana were stunned by Mendes Rodrigues’ late goal as Cape Verde beat them 2-1. Namibia had not won an AFCON match until they faced Tunisia in their group opener — and they went on to defeat the 2004 champions 1-0.

In the final round of matches, the Black Stars of Ghana conceded two late goals against Mozambique and were condemned to an early exit from the competition after picking just two points from three games. The exit was the country’s consecutive group stage ouster from the AFCON.

Algeria also failed to progress in Group C, which had Burkina Faso, Angola and Mauritania. Algeria finished rock bottom of the group with zero wins and two draws.

In Group E, Tunisia finished last behind Mali, South Africa and Namibia.

It was also a close shave for Egypt and Ivory Coast, who qualified for the competition’s second round by a whisker. The Ivorians had to wait till the last day of group games to squeeze through as one of the best third-placed teams.

NAMIBIA, MAURITANIA, CAPE VERDE, E’GUINEA ON A ROLL

One storyline that the AFCON group matches had in abundance was the biblical David slaying Goliath trope. It also took the narrative to another level: the minnows replacing the heavyweight on the pedestal of glory.

The Blue Sharks of Cape Verde were a joyful sight as they scored seven goals and gained seven points to finish at the top of Group B over Ghana and Egypt — the most successful team in AFCON history.

Equatorial Guinea was another surprise package with gorgeous attacking football that helped them to the top of Group A. They also demolished Ivory Coast, the host country, 4-0 in their final group game.

Mauritania had only participated in two previous editions of AFCON and had never won a game before. But against Algeria in their final group game, they shocked the continent when they took the lead through Mohammed Yali in the 37th minute and held firm for a vital victory that sent them to the round of 16.

The Brave Warriors of Namibia also advanced to the AFCON knockout stage for the first time in their history.

IMPORTANT LATE GOALS

Not less than 19 goals were scored after the 80-minute mark of games across the group stage. The sheer volume of late goals tells the number of drama conjured in the twilight of games.

No drama was more significant than the final day of Group B. Ghana played Mozambique and needed a win to at least get a chance to qualify out of the group. Egypt were playing Cape Verde and had to get at least a point and a favourable result in the other game to progress.

Ghana raced ahead against Mozambique after two penalties from Andre Ayew while Egypt was playing a 1-1 draw against Cape Verde. Until both matches struck the 90th minute, Ghana seemed set to progress from the group in second place.

But the scenario dissolved into bedlam once both games entered stoppage time. Egypt scored and made the scoreline 2-1 against Cape Verde, but the Blue Sharks responded with another late equaliser to make it 2-2. The Egyptians thought they were out until Mozambique, out of the blue, scored twice in stoppage time and forced Ghana into a 2-2 draw. It was a seesaw of emotions for the countries as their fortunes were swapped within a few minutes.

It also went down to the wire in Group C. Cameroon had just one point before their last game against Gambia and had to win to at least get a chance of qualifying. Guinea, meanwhile, were on four points and needed a point to consolidate their position as second in the group behind Senegal.

Karl Toko Ekambi pulled the Cameroonians ahead of Gambia with a deft header early in the second half. A few minutes later, Abdoulaye Seck scored for Senegal against Guinea. Cameroon looked prime to finish second in the group until two late goals from Gambia’s Ablie Jallow and Ebrima Colley turned the match on its head.

From the position of comfort, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon were staring down the abyss of elimination. However, the Cameroonians levelled the scoreline in the 87th minute after James Gomes bundled the ball into his net for an own goal.

The five-time AFCON champions completed the comeback with a glancing header from Cristopher Wooh in stoppage time. Then Guinea conceded another late goal from Senegal, which condemned them to third place.