AFCON 2023: Review of the group stage’s first round

The 34th African Cup of Nations (AFCON) edition kick-started on Saturday the 13th of January at the Stade Olympique Alssane Ouatarra in Abidjan.

The AFCON 2023 continues to see loads of excitement, upstages and surprising scorelines on all fronts.

Here’s all the action wrapped from round one of the group stages.

ALSO READ: AFCON 2023: The most notable tournament absentees

ALSO READ: 3 things Super Eagles must do to beat AFCON 2023 hosts Ivory Coast

Host nation Ivory Coast established their mark just four minutes into the game as Al-Nassr midfielder Seko Fofana found the top right corner from the ball Franck Kessie rolled into his path.

Crvena Zvezda’s summer signing Jean-Philippe Krasso continued his fine form at club level by wrapping things up with a well taken goal in the 58th minute.

Justifying his start over RB Salzburg’s Karim Konate who replaced him four minutes later.

The other group A fixture saw African giants Nigeria play out a 1-1 draw with the National Thunder of Equatorial Guinea.

African best player Victor Osimhen put the Super Eagles back in the game just over a minute of Iban Salvador’s fine strike at goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili’s end. In a game marred by big chances squandered for the Nigerians, Osimhen put a potential game winning chance agonizingly wide of Jesus Owono’s goal.

In Group B, proceedings commenced with Mohamed Salah’s Egypt taking on Mozambique. The Liverpool talisman set up Mostafa Mohamed in the 2nd minute and it yet again required his calm nerves to garner the Pharaohs a point in stoppage time.

His 96th minute penalty ensured the Egyptians shared the spoils in Abidjan following Mozambique’s quick fire double in 3 minutes just before half an hour of play.

The Black Stars of Ghana despite their star-studded squad somehow fell victims to Cape Verde. Turkish based Garry Rodrigues was in tears with his winner in the 91st minute sending his nation top of the group’s log. Assuring Alexander Djiku’s 56th minute goal for Ghana meant nothing.

Defending champions Senegal took center stage in Group C. Their comfortable 3-nil victory over the Gambia established them as first in the group ahead of the second round of fixtures. Young midfielder Lamine Camara’s brace was accompanied by midfielder partner Papa Gueye’s well taken finish to secure them victory.

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon played out a 1-1 draw with a Mohamed Bayo inspired Guinea in the other tie in the AFCON tournament. 

Andre Onana despite travelling about 5000 miles after Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur to join the team camp was left out of the matchday squad. La Masia graduate Fabrice Ondoa couldn’t do enough to keep out Bayo’s 10th minute opener.

Group D featured another upset as Riyad Mahrez’s Algeria were held to a 1-1 draw with VAR canceling a potential goal of the tournament and puskas award contender.

Bertrand Traore came off the bench to convert a 96th minute winner for Burkina Faso in a fixture they totally dominated against Mauritania.

In the penultimate group, Mali still cruised to a 2-nil victory over South Africa despite missing the services of midfield duo Abdoulaye and Cheick Doucoure. Yves Bissouma led the team from the middle of the park in their absence.

South African side Namibia left it late to hand a painful defeat to the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.

Youssef En-Nesseryi made this his 4th consecutive AFCON tournament with a goal after converting the 3rd of Morocco’s convincing victory over Mbwanne Samatta’s Tanzania in the opening fixture of group F. 

Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo rounded up the matchday with their 1-1 draw on Wednesday, with goals from Kings Kangwa and Yoane Wissa summing up the affair.