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AFCON 2019

AFCON 2019: FOUR UNDERDOGS PUNCHING ABOVE THEIR WEIGHT

AFCON 2019: UNDERDOGS PUNCHING ABOVE THEIR WEIGHT

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations has seen many of the continent’s so-called minnows make their presence felt on the big stage, standing up to its traditional flag-bearers.

Correctly predicting upsets is an ideal way for bettors to build their bankroll and it helps to be aware of the teams who have recently been ruffling feathers. In this article, we run the rule over the biggest surprise packages of the finals in Egypt so far.

Undoubtedly the biggest shock of the tournament has been the comparatively tiny Madagascar’s 2-0 win over Nigeria. Barea’s first ever Afcon has seen them beat the Super Eagles, Guinea and Burundi to top spot in Group B. Seven points from three matches (Unbeaten).

Versatile winger Charles Carolus Andriamahitsinoro has been the key man for Nicolas Dupuis’ side. He’s got two goals and grabbed an assist.

Having inspired Madagascar’s comeback in their 2-2 draw with Guinea, Carolus was surprisingly taken off early in the second half against Burundi and made his feelings crystal clear. Dupuis sheepishly consoled the 29-year-old as he stormed off the pitch. However, Carolus’ reaction was almost certainly a source of embarrassment for his coach.

Nevertheless, all ended well as Marco Ilaimaharitra scored the winner for Madagascar and Dupuis was understanding enough to allow Carolus to start again in their next match. The Al-Adalh attacker was a man on a mission! He caused nightmares for the Super Eagles defence, playing a vital role in the victory and getting on the scoresheet.

Barea looked vulnerable defensively against Guinea but grew in confidence as the match progressed. They haven’t looked back since and neither Burundi nor Nigeria were able to break them down.

In this writer’s humble opinion, the Desert Foxes have been the best team at Afcon 2019 to date. They were anything but an unknown quantity before the tournament kicked off. But Djamel Belmadi’s men did not have as many star names in their squad as Aliou Cissé’s Senegal</h4

Nevertheless, Algeria looked like potential champions in their 1-0 win over the Lions of Teranga. This does not mean they were stylish, but rather that they were ruthless and effective.

The Desert Foxes leapt into tackles as if they were tussling with a pride of lions. They defended their goal by any means necessary, professional fouls included. They hounded referee Janny Sikazwe and barely gave him a moment to breathe.

It was almost as if somebody had brought a Real Madrid or Chelsea team managed by José Mourinho back from the past and sent them to Africa. While the Portuguese manager had first Mesut Özil and then Cesc Fàbregas at his disposal, Belmadi has a magician of his own to call on in Riyad Mahrez.

Although he took more of a backseat against Senegal, Mahrez was sensational in the 2-0 win over Kenya. The Desert Foxes did not allow their opponents a single shot on target in that match and it is unlikely that Tanzania will have many in Monday night’s clash.

One of the standout performers in matchday 1 with a 2-0 win over DR Congo, Uganda have generally looked impressive at both ends of the pitch throughout Afcon. Emmanuel Okwi was on target in the opening game triumph and the 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe that followed.

That was arguably the Cranes’ least impressive performance although the result was respectable. In Sunday’s match against hosts and tournament favourites Egypt, Sébastien Desabre’s men were the better side before conceding to a sensational Mohamed Salah free-kick and an Ahmed Elmohamady strike late in the first half.

There was to be no way back from there for Uganda and they were made to pay for their uncharacteristically poor finishing. However, the Cranes have not at any point in the tournament looked incapable of standing up to Africa’s best teams.

This is quite some progress for a team that went 39 years without an Afcon appearance. On this occasion, Uganda comfortably qualified for the last 16 in second place. With the likes of Okwi, Godfrey Walusimbi and Denis Onyango at their disposal, the Cranes could well progress even further.

Mali made a huge statement of intent in their first match with a 4-1 drubbing of Mauritania. It was clear by then that this was a team which had the ability to comprehensively boss any opponent which wasn’t immaculately prepared. Give Mali a chance and they are highly likely to score.

Tunisia clearly didn’t get the memo as their sloppy errors allowed the unfancied Eagles to clinch a 1-1 draw in their second group match. Mali have had five different goalscorers at the Afcon 2019. It proves that FC Porto’s Moussa Marega is far from the only attacker who opponents should fear.

Like Algeria, Mohamed Magassouba’s men were hardly nobodies heading into this tournament, but with a football federation in disarray and a young squad, they did not look like Group E frontrunners.

However, heading into the final matchday, this is precisely what Mali have become. Don’t bet against this team going very far at the Africa Cup of Nations and beyond as they grow in experience and confidence.

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Leonard Solms is a sports journalist who features regularly on various local and international platforms including ESPN, New Frame, FARPost, Tagged Online and Careers Magazine, as well as this one. He enjoys the occasional bet and the most important tip he can give you is to bet within your means.

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