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AFCON 2023 Day 2 Review: Blue Sharks stun Black Stars as Cape Verde, Mozambique, Equatorial Guinea stage upsets

(Made In Africa Sport) – The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) started with the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde delivering a spirited performance against fellow West African counterparts, Ghana, as Garry Rodrigues put in a 92nd finish to send Cape Verde to the top of Group B. The unprecedented win caps a day of upsets, as highly favored teams fell to the onslaught of the so-called underdogs at various locations in Cote d’Ivoire.

Earlier in the day, the Super Eagles of Nigeria were held to a 1 – 1 draw in the Alassane Ouattara stadium in the north of Abidjan. The Elephants from Equatorial Guinea proved incisive in the final third against the AFCON veterans, taking the lead in the 36th minute, courtesy of a well-placed Ivan Salvador. 

Victor Osihmen levelled matters mere seconds after the kick-off, notching a header at the backpost to complete a cross from Ademola Lookman. The Super Eagles seemed to be plagued by poor finishing and ill-luck in the final third, as Victor Osihmen, Zaidu Sanusi, and Ola Aina missed out on chances to put Nigeria ahead at different stages of the game.

As if on cue, the Mambas of Mozambique ensured the Pharaohs of Egypt had to sweat out a draw in a match to forget for the North African giants. Mostafa Mohammed got the scoring started, converting clinically from a miscued Mohammed Salah shot after only 120 seconds of action. Witiness Quembo found the equalizer for the Mambas in the second half, and his compatriot Clesio Bauque completed the comeback three minutes later, stepping off the bench to put his team ahead. 

Mohammed Salah restored parity at the death, converting expertly from the penalty spot to soften the sting from the Mambas. The match ended 2 – 1, as the Egyptians were largely unimpressive after the opening 15 minutes, and the Mozambique team would be disappointed not to have held on to all three points.

Ghana’s 1 – 2 loss to Cape Verde at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium gave insights into how the AFCON 2023 could turn out. The Black Stars came up second-best for most of the game, as they went behind in the 17th minute to a Jamiro Monteiro opener. Alexander Djiku headed home from Jordan Ayew’s  corner kick, but that proved insufficient as Garry Rodrigues’ 92nd minute goal ensured the Blue Sharks ended matchday 1 at the top of Group B.

If we can infer anything from Sunday’s matches, it will be that the AFCON 2023 is a box of surprises, and we can’t wait to experience them all. Cape Verde and hosts Cote d’Ivoire occupy the top spots in their respective, and we will see action from Groups C and D on Monday, 15 January 2024, as Senegal play Gambia, Cameroon take on Guinea, and Algeria wrap up the day’s fixtures against Angola.

Stay tuned for more reviews.

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