BY CIARÁN FAHEY
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — The underdogs are enjoying their moment at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament has been a festival of upsets with most of the big favorites eliminated before the quarterfinal stage.
World Cup semifinalist Morocco, defending champion Senegal, seven-time champion Egypt, five-time winner Cameroon, four-time champion Ghana, and former winners Algeria and Tunisia have all been knocked out.
None of the eight quarterfinalists from the last edition of the Africa Cup in Cameroon – Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Cameroon, Egypt and Morocco – have made it to the last eight this time. Nor have any of the five African teams that played at the 2022 World Cup – Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia.
“This cup is really difficult. Lots of surprises,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui said after his team was upset by South Africa.
Four of the remaining
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
