Defending champs meet hosts as Africa Cup round of 16 begins

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — The Africa Cup of Nations has been unpredictable so far with thrills, spills, and upsets. Former champions Ghana, Algeria, and Tunisia were among the eight teams eliminated in the group stage. Another eight will have to go from the round of 16, which starts tomorrow. Host nation Cote d’Ivoire face defending champions Senegal and Nigeria and Cameroon clash in a match between two of the tournament’s most successful teams.

Senegal vs Cote d’Ivoire

Defending champions Senegal were the only team to win all their group games, and coach Aliou Cissé’s side has, arguably looked the strongest so far. Cissé had a health scare but returned to take charge of the team for their final group game. Host nation Cote d’Ivoire only scraped into the knockout stage thanks to Morocco’s win over Zambia. It left the Elephants as the fourth-best third-place team from the six groups, the last one to qualify. They had already fired its coach earlier on Wednesday. The host nation tried yesterday to land France women’s team coach Hervé Renard “on loan” for the rest of the tournament, but negotiations with the French federation failed to reach agreement.

Nigeria vs Cameroon

Nigeria, the three-time champions, will play five-time champions Cameroon in Abidjan on Saturday when both teams will be hoping for improvement after lacklustre starts. Nigeria managed to tighten their defence in their final group game, but goals are still a problem for the Super Eagles. Nigeria have not won the Africa Cup since 2013. Cameroon only squeezed into the knockout stage thanks to a dramatic fightback against Gambia. It was the Indomitable Lions’ only win so far.

Egypt vs Congo

Egypt were beset by injuries as they struggled through the group stage. The Pharaohs lost star Mohamed Salah to a hamstring injury in their second game, then goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy with a dislocated shoulder from the draw with Cape Verde. Imam Ashour was hospitalised overnight Wednesday for concussion treatment after getting a head injury in training. Egypt, the record seven-time champions, are yet to win a game at this tournament. But neither has Congo. The Leopards finished second in Group F behind Morocco with just three points. One of the teams will get their first win Sunday in San Pedro.

Morocco vs South Africa

Morocco have had an eventful tournament so far with a melee at the end of their draw with Congo followed by a nervy win over Zambia to win their group. Coach Walid Regragui is suspended for his role in the heated scenes against Congo. South Africa’s players sang and danced their way into the stadium before their final group game against Tunisia, and the Bafana Bafana can count on some of the tournament’s most colourful support, including Mama Joy. South Africa are coached by Belgian Hugo Broos, who led Cameroon to the title in 2017. Morocco have only won the Africa Cup once but are expected to go far after reaching the World Cup semif-inals. The teams play Tuesday in San Pedro.

The remaining matches are Angola vs Namibia, Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea, Cape Verde vs Mauritania, and Mali vs Burkina Faso.