The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024 has been a competition full of surprises, victories, and exciting football action. Here’s a recap of the adventure thus far:
The Journey to the Semi-Finals
The 2023 AFCON quarterfinals saw eight teams reduced to four. Nigeria became the first country to reach the semi-finals after a hard-fought victory over Angola2. DR Congo rallied from behind to defeat Guinea 3-1. Ivory Coast joined them following a shock late-game victory over Mali. South Africa advanced to the quarter-finals against Cape Verde after defeating favourites Morocco2. Bafana Bafana will face Nigeria in the last four after a nail-biting penalty shootout victory.
The Unlikely Semi-Finalists
This event has produced two semi-finals, each pitting one of the continent’s current powerhouses against a side with distant memories of greatness. Neither South Africa nor the Democratic Republic of the Congo came to the Africa Cup of Nations with high ambitions, but on Wednesday they will meet Nigeria and the hosts Ivory Coast for a spot in the final.
The Semi-Final Fixtures
The semi-final fixtures are as follows:
- Nigeria vs South Africa (Stade de la Paix, Bouake)
- Ivory Coast vs DR Congo (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan)
The Weight of History
Ivory Coast, whose golden generation has spent so long nearly losing out on the trophy, is eager to win the championship for the third time, as are its opponents. The difference is that it has been 50 years since DRC last prevailed. They were an early African football powerhouse, winning the tournament in 1968 and again, as Zaire, in 1974.
Looking Forward
As we prepare for the semi-finals and final, the AFCON 2024 continues to thrill football fans worldwide with its vibrant cultural celebrations and action-packed competition. The tournament exemplified the spirit of African football, highlighting both the continent’s quality and the passion of its fans.
Several players have made a significant impact in AFCON 2024. Here are some of the standout players:
1.Sadio Mane (Senegal): Mane has found a new start at Al Nassr after an unsuccessful spell at Bayern Munich.
2.Victor Osimhen (Nigeria): Osimhen has been a key player for Nigeria.
3.Serhou Guirassy (Guinea): Guirassy has also stood out in the tournament.
4.Mohamed Salah (Egypt): The Liverpool talisman has been a key player for Egypt.
5.Andre Onana (Cameroon): Despite an underwhelming start to his Manchester United career, Onana has shown his quality in this tournament.
6.Nicolas Jackson (Senegal): The Chelsea top scorer has been a star for Senegal.
These individuals have demonstrated their abilities and significantly enhanced their respective teams’ performances in the tournament. It will be exciting to see how they continue to perform throughout the competition. Stay tuned for future developments!
