…Angola tops Group D and Burkina Faso is second.
History was made at Stade Bouake on Tuesday night when unfancied Almravids of Mauritania earned their first ever AFCON victory defeating and eliminating two times African Champions, the Desert Foxes of Algeria by a lone goal.
Mohammed Dellah Yaly created the historic moment when he slammed in a bullet shot in the 37th minute of the game in which the new comers defended stoutly. Nay, there was weeping and gnashing of teeth as the Algerians will have to leave Ivory Coast in the next 48 hours.
Angola defeated the Stallions of Burkina Faso 2-0 in another upset in group D. Fredy linked Al Ittihad of Egypt player, Mabululu (real name Agostinho Panciencia) who scored the Stallions at the 36th minute of their game, Mabululu scored the only goal of Angola in the 1-1 draw with Algeria.
The winner for Angola came in the closing minute from Zini who plays for Athens of Greece in a stunner at 90+2 minute of the game.
Tuesday night was a night of wonders when mistakes were greatly punished.
Angola topped group D with 7 points scoring 6 goals and conceding 3; Burkina Faso still placed 2nd with 4 points scored 3 goals and conceded 4 goals. Mauritania unbelievably qualified for the Round of 16 with their 3rd position chalking 3 points scoring 3 goals and conceding 4 goals with a goal deficit and Algeria in one of their worst performances at AFCON were 4th with 2 points 3 goals scored and 4 conceded with a goal deficit.
Mauritania meets Cape Verde at Boigny Stadium on 29th January in the Round of 16; Egypt waits for Runners up in group F; Senegal will play 3rd group A/F; Burkina Faso will meet winner of group E and Angola plays 3rd in group E/F.
Algeria and Mauritania met twice in friendly matches. Algeria won 3-1 on 7th January 2017 and 4-1 on 13th June 2021 both at Algiers.
Angola and Burkina Faso played five games with two victories to Burkina Faso, two draws and a victory for Angola. Burkina Faso won 3-0 on 10th September 2014; played 1-1 draw on 19th November 2014 also in AFCON match; thrash Angola 3-1 in another AFCON match on 10th June 2017; in the ANC match of 16th January 2018 it was goalless draw and on 18th November 2018 Angola won 2-1.
Angola played 1-1 draw in their first match in this tournament and defeated Mauritania 3-2 in her second match.
Burkina Faso piped Mauritania 1-0 in her first match and played 2-2 with Algeria in the second match.
Mauritania lost her two matches 2-3 to Angola and 0-1 to Burkina Faso.
Algeria played 1-1 with Angola and 2-2 with Burkina Faso.
The last of the group matches will be played tomorrow Wednesday. First at 6pm Group E will be decided between Namibia and Mali and the star match of the group will be Tunisia versus South Africa.
Morocco will test strength against Zambia in Group F and at the same time, Tanzania will try to glow above DR Congo both at 9pm.
Round of 16 matches will start on Saturday with two matches per day at 6pm and 9pm.
Nigeria will play Cameroon at Houphouet Boigny Stadium on 27th January at 9pm; Cape Verde will play 3rd group A/D at the Boigny Stadium on 29th; Egypt will play the runners-up of Group F at San Pedro on 28th January and Equatorial Guinea will meet Guinea on 28th January at Quattara Stadium. Senegal will play 3rd in group A/F on 29th January at Yamoussoukro. Cape Verdewill play 3rd in Group D at Boigny Stadium on 29th January.
Meanwhile Gambia Coach, Tom Sainfiet has resigned his position following the country’s exit from AFCON 23.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
#CAF #IvoryCoast2023 #NFF.
