By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (January 18^th 2024)

Outclassed

The National Thunder clapped loudly as Equatorial Guinea trounced Guniea-Bissau’s Djurtus (the Wild Dogs) 4-2 to claim pole position in Group A. The result put the National Thunder top, pending the result of the Elephants’ encounter with the Super Eagles. Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue López opened the scoring in the first half, although the Djurtus’ skipper, Sori Mané should have prevented Nsue receiving Pablo Ganet’s through ball.

With 8 minutes of the first period remaining, Franculino Gluda Djú’s persistence reaped the dividend of an own goal by Esteban Orosco Fernández to send both teams in all square at the interval. It was Guinea-Bissau’s first goal since their last two AFCON appearances. It almost got better for the Djurtus as they were initially awarded a penalty – Saul Coco had been yellow carded after referee, Samuel Uwikunda ruled that he clipped Franculino – the decision to award a penalty was overturned by VAR and National Thunder took full advantage in the second half.

A long clearance by goalkeeper Jesús Owono Ngua Akeng found Josete Miranda Boacha, who shot was clinical and restored Equatorial Guinea’s advantage. Nsue netted twice more to claim the first AFCON hat-trick since 2008 – Soufiane Alloudi’s within the first half hour of Morocco’s group stage 5-1 thrashing of Namibia.

Guniea-Bissau’s keeper Ouparine Djoco made a hash of dealing with Basilio Ndong’s cross, gifting a second goal to Nsue, and he completed his hat-trick by rounding Djoco after collecting José Machin’s through ball and scoring from a tight angle.

Owono parried Jefferson Encada’s shot – an impressive save as it had been deflected after a cross by Dálcio (Euciodálcio Gomes) had been neatly turned in by Zé Turbo (José Correia).

Guinea-Bissau have lost both matches and require a minor miracle to progress, but National Thunder has impressed and Nigeria will under-estimate them at their own risk

Ground Out

José Paseiro’s Super Eagles draw against Equatorial Guinea seemed like a defeat to their supporters, but Nigeria came good against the hosts to leapfrog the hosts by grinding out a result. It lacked the flair associated with Nigerian football, but this was all about the three points. William Troost Ekong scored from the penalty spot after 55 minutes.

African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, had been brought down by Ousmane Diamandé to concede the spot kick. Nigeria defended their lead obdurately preventing the Elephants from creating a meaningful chance. The Super Eagles face the Djurtus (The Wild Dogs) of Guinea-Bissau in the final group stage match. Nigeria has all but guaranteed a place in the last 16, while the country that one of Africa’s greatest sons, Amílcar Cabral, built require his tactical genius to deliver a cricket score they need to stand a chance – albeit a slim one – to progress further.

Unhelpful Points Shared

While both Egypt and Ghana avoided defeat, both countries really needed wins after bad results in the opening matchday of Group B. Ghana fell to a surprise defeat to Cape Verde, and Mozambique held Egypt until Mohamed Salah’s penalty in added time rescued a point for the Pharaohs.

Ghana had the best of the first half as Egypt’s talisman – the highest still active scorer in Africa’s international football – Mohamed Salah was forced off through injury. His AFCON may already be over, although the extent of his injury will have to be assessed. The news got worse when West Ham United’s Mohamed Kudus – recovering from injury himself gave the Black Stars a lead they took into the interval with them.

With 20 minutes of normal time remaining a crazy three minutes, which averaged a goal a minute took place – the Pharaohs equalised through Omar Marmoush, punishing Iñaki Williams’ bad error, only for Kudus to restore Ghana’s lead a minute later, and once again Egypt found an equaliser after 73 minutes through Mostafa Mohamed, who benefited from a delightful cut-back by Trézéguet (Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan).

Ghana had a late opportunity to claim all three points, but Idrissu Babu steered his header wide of an inviting goal – honours even, but neither side would be content, as Cape Verde remained top of the group, despite only having played one match. They play Mozambique tomorrow with the chance to not only qualify for the last 16, but also guarantee finishing top of the group.