Three Highlight Matches from AFCON Matchday One
The 33rd edition of the African Cup of Nations kicked off in Cameroon with the hosts taking on Burkina Faso in a winning effort.
The month-long tournament was noted to be missing some stars as clubs around the world opted against sending their players abroad due to ongoing pandemic worries.
AFCON always seems to serve up some great games and highlight moments throughout the whole tournament, here are three from matchday one.
Nigeria vs Egypt
Rangers’ midfielder Joe Aribo went head-to-head with Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah as Nigeria took on Egypt in a clash of two titans of African football.
Nigeria was without star striker Victor Osimhen who is on the verge of returning after fracturing his face in a match for Napoli. Osimhen was also restricted from travelling due to testing positive for COVID-19.
The Nigerian number 10 grabbed himself an assist by playing in Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho who volleyed home a stunning effort.
Egypt’s defeat to Nigeria is their first loss in the group stage of AFCON for 18 years.
Mo Salah during Egypt’s opening defeat to Nigeria. Source - Getty Images
Algeria Vs Sierra Leone
Star-studded AFCON champions Algeria took on Sierra Leone in what was seen as guaranteed three points for the Algerians. Sierra Leone were playing their first match in this tournament since 1996.
Fans expected Riyad Mahrez and Yacine Brahimi to run riot on Sierra Leone’s centre backs. However, debutant for his country and former Dundee player Steven Caulker helped nullify the Algerian attack.
22-year-old Sierra Leonean goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara who still plays in his home country became a national hero. Making seven saves and playing the sweeper keeper role to keep the champions from scoring.
Kamara was brought to tears as he was awarded Man of The Match for his efforts.
Tunisia vs Mali
A match that would have more than likely have gone under the radar had it not been embroiled in controversy and odd refereeing.
On paper it was a match that could go either way, but it was Mali who drew first blood through Ibrahima Kone who scored a penalty.
Wahbi Khazri had the opportunity to make it all square in the 77th minute but had his shot saved by the Malian keeper Mounkoro.
In the 85th minute Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe blew his whistle for full time to the confusion from both teams. After deliberation and some choice words the match was restarted much to the delight of the Tunisians.
Mali became furious with the referee when he then sent off striker El Bilal Toure as the other officials checking VAR urged Sikazwe to overturn his decision to which he refused.
Finally, Sikazwe blew full-time again controversially at 89:40 with no stoppage time or additional time to be played after his previous blunder.
Fans and pundits have called Sikazwe’s credibility into question and it will be interesting to see if he refs another game in the tournament.
Tunisia management team appealing with the ref about his early stoppage of the match. Source - Getty Images