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Ivan Salvador's goal gave Equatorial Guinea the lead against Nigeria, the first of three surprise results on the first full day of Afcon 2023
Sunday at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations was the first day of the tournament's underdogs.
Only a brave tipster could have predicted that Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique and Cape Verde would surprise the former Afcon champions in their opening group stage games.
Whether it was to showcase the competitive nature of the 34th edition of Afcon or whether the higher quality teams were slow to get out of the starting blocks against extremely motivated opponents, the results have increased the excitement and tension surrounding the tournament as they fell on the second day of play an average of three goals per game.
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Afcon 2023: Egypt 2-2 Mozambique – Highlights
Mozambique 'dissatisfied' after Salah saves Egypt
Having qualified for the Afcon for the first time since 2010, Mozambique is ranked 111th in the Fifa rankings, 78 places behind the Egyptian team beaten on penalties in the 2021 final and boasts the likes of Liverpool top scorer Mohamed Salah and former Aston Villa fall forward Trezeguet.
Egypt took the lead in the second minute and hit a post in a first half in which Chiquinho Conde's underdogs had no shot on goal – only for a sensational second-half turnaround, including two goals in four minutes, for Mozambique gave the lead In the 97th minute, Salah's penalty saved the 2-2 draw for the seven-time winners.
“We were so close,” said Conde, before the injury-time equalizer was canceled out by the most successful team in Afcon history.
“It’s up to us to work harder to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.”
“The opening goal didn’t disrupt our plan – it actually motivated us to play even harder.”
“We are sad and that is a good thing because we are not happy with what we got today.”
Egyptian fans outside the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium remained cool after their team lost their 2021 opening game against Nigeria only to reach the final.
“Salah and Trezeguet weren't at their best but that's how we usually start – it's nothing new for us,” one supporter told ` Sport Africa.
“The last time it happened and we got to the final. We have to trust our team. That wasn’t the Salah we know, but we believe he will do well next time.”
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Afcon 2024: Ghana 1-2 Cape Verde – Highlights
Ghana defeat “doesn’t feel good”
Ghana's last of four Afcon victories was in 1982, but those triumphs, coupled with reaching the semi-finals in 2012, 2013 and 2017 and the final in 2015, mean they are considered one of the competition's heavyweights.
The Black Stars have been in poor form and were just 12 places ahead of Cape Verde, but the manner of their defeat has led to fears they will repeat their group stage exit in 2021 when they picked up a single point.
The Blue Sharks deservedly took the lead as part of an early period of dominance, then bounced back from conceding a goal in the second half, rallying late to win 2-1 with Garry Rodrigues' 92nd minute goal.
“We want to show that we are small, but we have this [ability] to compete against all the biggest teams in Africa,” said coach Bubista, describing Ghana as a “great” team.
“We knew we could take advantage of offensive transitions.”
Former Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah lamented the “sloppy” defense that handed Cape Verde the winning goal.
“It’s really a shock for us because we should at least get a point and move on.”
“It just doesn’t fit me right and it just doesn’t feel right.”
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Afcon 2023: Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea – Highlights
Nigeria “lacks cohesion”
Equatorial Guinea defeated Algeria en route to the quarterfinals in 2021, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Senegal.
This time they took the lead with their only shot on goal against a Nigerian side ranked 46 places above them, thanks to Victor Osimhen's quick equalizer in a 1-1 draw.
Efe Ambrose, who won the 2013 Afcon with Nigeria, believes his country's uninspired performance was the sign of a team taking “a year or two” to form.
“You have to play as a team first – it’s not about individuals,” said the defender.
“I think that’s what we’re missing at the moment – this team, this solidarity.”
“I don’t think it’s not there, but it’s not where it should be.”
“The individual will have the talent, they have everything, but it’s about bringing together the right players with quality and working together as a unit.”
Equatorial Guinea coach Juan Micha had hoped for more but felt his team deserved the point.
“We came here to win for our fans,” he added, predicting his team would improve against Guinea-Bissau on Thursday.
“Our mission is not yet complete – we still have a lot to do.”
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