AFCON 2023: Pre-Tournament Favourites Miss Out, Underdogs Line Up For Quarterfinal Clash

Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Jan 31: The underdogs are enjoying their moment at the Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament has been a festival of upsets with most of the big favorites eliminated before the quarterfinal stage. World Cup semi-finalist Morocco, defending champion Senegal, seven-time champion Egypt, five-time winner Cameroon, four-time champion Ghana, and former winners Algeria and Tunisia have all been knocked out. Football Icon Samuel Eto'o Faces Allegations of Making Threats and Match-Fixing, FIFA Ethics Committee Initiates Investigation.

None of the eight quarterfinalists from the last edition of the Africa Cup in Cameroon – Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Cameroon, Egypt and Morocco – have made it to the last eight this time. Nor have any of the five African teams that played at the 2022 World Cup – Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia.

“This cup is really difficult. Lots of surprises,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui said after his team was upset by South Africa. Four of the remaining teams – Cape Verde, Angola, Guinea and Mali – have never won the Africa Cup before.

At the same time, three-time champion Nigeria and host nation Ivory Coast will feel they have a great opportunity to claim the trophy. They could meet in the final. South Africa and Congo are the other remaining teams.

Here is a closer look at the quarterfinals, which start Friday:

NIGERIA VS ANGOLA

Nigeria is the favourite for many after an impressive win over Cameroon in the pre-quarterfinal. José Peseiro's team has grown as the tournament progressed, seemingly benefiting from a relaxed approach to interactions with media and fans. With his witty outlook and comments, Peseiro himself has overcome criticism after poor pre-tournament results to become a favourite among Nigerian journalists, who have been asking for selfies with the Portuguese coach.

Previously a worry, Nigeria's defence has become a strength with only a goal conceded so far and none in the Super Eagles' last three games. Napoli star Victor Osimhen has only scored once, but his tireless performances have inspired the rest of the team and earned accolades from fans who call his name.

Angola is back in the quarterfinals for the first time since reaching the semi-finals in 2008. The Sable Antelopes recorded impressive wins over Namibia, Burkina Faso and Mauritania, while they drew with Algeria 2-2 in their opening game. Forwards Gelson Dala (four goals) and Mabululu (three) have together scored more goals than the Nigerian team (five). They will pose problems for its defence on Friday in the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

CONGO VS GUINEA

Congo, which won the last of its two titles in 1974, is yet to win a game in normal time in this tournament. After three draws in the group stage, the Leopards overcame Egypt in a penalty shootout with goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi scoring the winning spot kick to progress.

Guinea also had a dramatic end to its pre-quarterfinal match, with Mohamed Bayo scoring in the eighth minute of stoppage time to beat Equatorial Guinea. It was the first time the National Elephants had ever won an Africa Cup knockout game.

Guinea was runner-up to Morocco in 1976, but that tournament had a different format. Guinea plays Congo in the 60,000-capacity Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Friday.

IVORY COAST VS MALI

Ivory Coast's tension-filled win on penalties over defending champion Senegal has restored belief for a team that looked down and out after an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea. Ecstatic Ivorians now believe the Elephants can go on to win what would be just their third title after 1992 and 2015. Forward Sébastien Haller is back after recovering from an ankle injury.

But, Mali will provide a strong challenge after topping a group with South Africa, Namibia and Tunisia, and dominating in a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso. Mali coach Éric Chelle was born in Abidjan and has friends in the home team. He won't want to do them any favours when they meet in Bouaké on Saturday.

CAPE VERDE VS SOUTH AFRICA

The last quarterfinal will be a clash between two teams that have thrilled as underdogs. Cape Verde topped a group including heavyweights Egypt and Ghana and is back in the quarterfinals for the second time in the small Atlantic island nation's fourth Africa Cup appearance. South Africa Football Team Does Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Sleep’ Celebration After Match Winning Goal Against Morocco in AFCON 2023, Video Goes Viral.

Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha and forward Ryan Mendes have played all four for the Blue Sharks. South Africa, the 1996 winner, ousted Morocco on Tuesday. Coach Hugo Broos previously led Cameroon to the title in Gabon in 2017 and his hard-working well-organized squad can go far again with Mamelodi Sundowns veteran Themba Zwane and the excellent Teboho Mokoena.

Bafana Bafana have also impressed with their singing before games. They face Cape Verde in Yamoussoukro on Saturday.

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