AFCON 2021: Six big disappointments of the group phase
Afcon 2021 group phase was exciting, and dramatic. However, there were huge disappointments just as there were celebrations from the first round. Arguably, the biggest disappointment of the group phase is the early elimination of the defending champions, Algeria.
Algeria
Every story on Algeria in the wake of AFCON was analysis on how Algeria will defend the title. The Fennec Foxes opponents will suffer, but when the action starts, it was Algeria that suffered.
They were unable to replicate their AFCON 2019 performance in 2021 as well as their 2021 FIFA Arab world cup performance.
It was unexpected and shocking that the third best team in Africa according to the December FIFA rankings won’t be able to sweep Sierra Leone aside, thrash Equatorial Guinea, and dominate Ivory Coast.
Respect to these teams, but they don’t have the quality, experience and the success of the North Africans in African football.
It was a huge disappointment seeing them exit the tournament early, with just a single point and one goal.
Ghana
Much is not expected from Ghana coming to the tournament- they have not been in good form. More so, their 3-0 thrashing by Algeria in the build up game.
However, Morocco and Ghana were the favorites in Group C. But the latter finish bottom of the table and their dream to win the title for the first time in 40 years ended in a huge disappoint.
They finished with a point, which they got against Gabon. And the upset by Comoros will not be forgotten in African football for a long time.
To add salt to the injury, the Black Stars got two red cards in this tournament- Benjamin Tetteh v Gabon and Andre Ayew against Ghana. It is a disappointing and disastrous outing for the West African side.
Ghana vs Gabon
The Ghanaian players engaged the Panthers in a brawl after accusing Gabon of not respecting fair play. The brawl results in a red card for Benjamin Tetteh after appearing to punch Aaron Boupendza after the full-time against Gabon at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on January 14.
Though the game was painful for the Ghanaian team, their behavior at the end was a show of unsportmanship.
Its quite disappointing too that Gabon could not respect the fair play. But, they are not obliged to, especially for a team desperately looking for the equalizing goal.
That is what Ghana should have understood and control their emotions. Instead of disgracing the biennial Africa showpiece with their actions.
Both team were rightly fined by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for their unsportsmanship.
It is disappointing that Gabon could not respect the fair play, and what happens afterwards is a disgrace to the African football and the fine is justified. That behavior won’t help the campaign for respect towards Africa football.
Tunisia
Tunisia was at the receiving end of Janny Sikazwe referring error against Mali when the referee ended the match 3 seconds to full-time, having ended it earlier after 85 minutes.
However, that cannot be an excuse for their abysmal performance at the tournament. They finish third in group F with three points behind the debutant, Gambia and Mali .
They qualified to the next round as the third best team. That is a bit disappointing of the onetime AFCON champion with most appearances (20) than Gambia (first appearance) and Mali (12).
The Carthage Eagles will battle it out for a place in the quarter finals against the Super Eagles who amass the maximum nine points in the group phase and has the highest goal difference (+5).
Senegal
Though Senegal qualified to the second round, top of the table, their performance was a bit disappointing. They were expected to amass the maximum nine points in their group, but they could only win a game after a hard fought battle against Zimbabwe.
They drew Guinea in their last game, also drew Malawi in their last game. Senegal only scored one goal in the group phase.
They need to improve, to go far in this tournament. They will square up with Cape Verde in the round of 16 on January 25.
Egypt
Over-reliance on Mo Salah is not helping the Northern African giants. They were dominated by the Super Eagles in their first game. Their second game against Guinea-Bissau could have ended in a draw if not for VAR intervention. Their last match against Sudan was a hard fought win, 1-0. Egypt will play in-form Ivory Coast team on January 26 in the round of 16.
