AFCON Round-Up: Talking Points

The AFCON has thrilled throughout and the round of 16 was no exception as the games thrilled and a number of upsets happened across the board. Bet Central explores everything that unfolded.

Ademola Lookman Dominates

Once upon a time, Ademola Lookman was a highly rated youngster in the English Premier League, he unfortunately did not develop as everyone had anticipated.

He has however had a great AFCON with Nigeria and even in the round of 16, he showed just how good he can be. The Atalanta winger scored twice as Nigeria cruised past a hapless Cameroonian side who had a tough tournament. The 26-year-old will look to help his nation in the quarterfinals as well.

Lions Of Teranga Fail To Roar

The Lions of Teranga looked very good in the group stages and looked on course to go deep in the tournament, but hosts Ivory Coast had other plans as they knocked the champions in the round of 16 winning 5-4 on penalties.

It would be harsh to simply say Senegal were poor in the game, they had good spells but came up against a determined side in Ivory Coast. Senegal bowed out of the tournament, but they were certainly not disgraced. The contingent of young players in that team will still win more in the future.

DR Congo In The Quarterfinals After Another Draw

DR Congo have had quite a strange run in the AFCON, they are yet to win a game in regular time, but they incredibly find themselves in the quarterfinals of the tournament despite a trio of draws in the group.

They drew 1 all in the round of 16 before seeing off Egypt 8-7 on penalties. They will now take on Guinea in the quarterfinals and it remains to be seen whether they can finally get a win in regular time.

Bafana Bafana Disciplined In Victory

Morocco have been a team to watch after becoming the 1st African nation to reach the semi-finals at the FIFA World Cup in 2022. They were overwhelming favourites as they took on Bafana Bafana in the final fixture of the round of 16.

Hugo Broos’ team were incredibly disciplined as they repelled the Moroccans early on. As the game progressed Teboho Mokoena began to dominate breaking up play in a player of the match effort. Mothobi Mvala and Grant Kekana were exemplary in defence. Bafana Bafana never looked flustered, and it bodes well for the team.

8 Different Quarterfinalists From The 2021 Edition

Senegal, Cameroon, Egypt, Morocco, Gambia, Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso. Those were the teams that contested the 2021 AFCON quarterfinals and not a single one of these teams will play in the quarterfinals.

The teams that will contest the quarterfinals this year were all kicked out before the quarterfinals stage in the last AFCON. This has added even more to what has been one of the most exciting tournaments in recent times.