In a break from the norm, this weekend delivered quite a good number of goals! And to make it even more thrilling, a big 2-0 win against Gabon, went the way of the hosts, Equatorial Guinea. Lets’ scan over the results of the weekends AFCON 2015 Group D and then Group A games for you. On Friday night, Ghana caused a mini upset of sorts, beating Africa’s top team, Algeria and has stolen any hope that I had left of a South Africa win over Ghana later this week. They look the better team, don’t they? Ghana walked away 1-0 winners and move to 2nd on the Group C log, just under table topping Senegal. The latter walked away with 1 point after a 1 all draw with South Africa. Bafana Bafana now sit at the bottom of the log and need a win over Ghana and a loss for Senegal for things to go their way. I’m never a fan of a team’s fortunes resting in the hands of others. You need to win on the pitch to move through as deserved victors. Saturday saw two more uneventful, and AFCON 2015 synonymous, draws. Cote d’Ivoire and Mail drew 1-all and so did Cameroon and Guinea.
On the topic, Former African superstar Kalusha Bwalya commented that this is really no surprise. There have been 10 draws in 16 matches and it may end up in the drawing of lots to see who the winners in the groups might be! Eight of the 10 draws have been 1-1, including all 4 in Group D. This isn’t even a record. In 2013 in South Africa, there were 13 draws in 24 first round matches. If the trend in Equatorial Guinea continues, they will set the new record by the end of the round robins. Hardly making for thrilling football anyway. Bwalya commented that the teams are mostly very evenly matches and extremely competitive. The Zambian man also says it’s impossible to pick a winner to this tournament, it’s so close.
We got to see a few more goals on Sunday though, with a 2-1 win for Congo over Burkino Faso and that beautiful victory for the hosts over Gabon, seeing the hosts win 2-0. Equatorial Guinea are now 2nd in group A and the group with the most entertaining football too, and with Congo’s win, those two teams are guaranteed a quarter final spot.
Today we see Group B action, with the Democratic Republic of Congo up against Tunisia from the Estadio de Bata, and at the same time from Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyín, Cape Verde Islands are up against bottom of the log Zambia.
What are your thoughts on the lack of goals and all round not-so exciting football up to this point? Drop us a line in the comment section below.