AFCON 2019: Weekly roundup — Game-week 1

The first game-week at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations has drawn to a close. Here’s a group-by-group roundup of how the action unfolded.

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations kicked off last Friday with a spectacular opening ceremony in Cairo, Egypt. There were fewer fireworks in the match that followed, between the hosts and Zimbabwe, but the tournament has since progressed in record-breaking fashion.

For the first time ever, the AFCON is being held over June-July and has been expanded to include 24 nations. Across the 12 first-round matches, 27 goals were scored with Mali’s 4-1 win over Mauritania the highest scoring match in the competition since 23 January 2017. The first week also saw an incredible five goals scored from penalties, just two fewer than were scored in the entire 2017 edition. Here’s the group-by-group roundup of all of this past week’s fixtures.

Group A

Host nation Egypt got their hunt for a record-extending eighth AFCON title off to a good start with a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe. The Egyptians dominated most of the match without reward, largely due to the strong performance in goal by Zimbabwe’s ‘keeper, Edmore Sibanda. The 33-year-old pulled off a number of impressive saves to keep his nation the in the match, although he was ultimately beaten by a curling effort from Trezeguet which earned Egypt all three points.

In the group’s other match, Uganda claimed an impressive 2-0 win over the more-fancied DR Congo. Goals from Patrick Kaddu and Emmanuel Okwi either side of halftime earned the Ugandan Cranes the win, but it was Farouk Miya who excelled. The 21-year old, who recently became his nation’s all-time leading goalscorer, set his teammates up for both goals and was the only player across all nations to record more than one assist this week.

Group B

Making their first AFCON appearance since 2013 when they were crowned champions, Nigeria got their campaign underway with a narrow 1-0 win over newcomers Burundi. Odion Ighalo, who scored more goals in qualifying than any other player, came on as a second-half substitute for the Super Eagles and netted a late winner to get his nation off to a winning start. The Nigerian camp has since been rocked by off-field administrative issues which resulted in the players boycotting training after not being paid their bonuses.

In Saturday’s late match, 1976 runners-up Guinea were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw by a Madagascar side which was also making its first appearance at the tournament. Sory Kaba opened the scoring for the Guineans but Madagascar responded with two goals in six minutes at the start of the second half. Anicet Andrianantenaina scored the coastal islander’s first-ever AFCON goal before Charles Andriamatsinoro put them in front. A subsequent penalty from Guinea’s Francois Kamano ensured that the points were shared.

Group C

Touted as one of the pre-tournament favorites, Senegal made light work of Tanzania in their opening AFCON encounter. Despite missing star man Sadio Mane through suspension, the Senegalese were able to record a comfortable 2-0 win courtesy of goals from Keita Balde and Krepin Diatta. Mane will return for the nation’s next match against Algeria which will in all likelihood determine which side tops Group C.

The Algerians got off to an equally impressive start with a 2-0 win over Kenya. Having dominated the opening stages of the match, the Desert Foxes took the lead through a Baghdad Bounedjah penalty before Riyad Mahrez put the game to bed before half-time. Kenya will be disappointed with the result but know that a strong win against Tanzania in their next match will keep them in with a chance of progressing to the knockout stages.

Group D

Favorites to progress from the Group of Death, Morocco needed a last-gasp own goal from Namibia’s Itamunua Keimuine to open their account with a win. Despite claiming all three points, the North Africans failed to show the attacking flair they have become known for, although substitute Sofiane Boufal might have earned himself a starting berth after his strong showing from the bench.

On Monday, a solitary goal from Jonathan Kodja was enough to earn Ivory Coast a 1-0 win over South Africa. The South Africans rarely tested the opposition and could have lost by a greater margin were it not for the performance of Ronwen Williams in goal. The PSL Goalkeeper of the Season was a surprise selection ahead of Darren Keet but rewarded coach Stuart Baxter’s faith with a number of fine saves.

Group E

Tunisia and Angola played out an entertaining 1-1 draw to kick things off in Group E. Youssef Msakni opened the scoring for the Tunisians from the penalty spot before Angola’s Djalma netted in the second half to give his side a share of the spoils.

In the group’s other match, Mali recorded the biggest win of the week when they trounced Mauritania 4-1. Goals from Abdoulay Diaby and Moussa Marega gave Mali a two-goal lead at halftime before Adama Traore and identically-named teammate, Adama Traore, both scored either side of Mauritania’s penalty goal by Moctar El Hacen. The match was also the highest scoring match in the tournament since Tunisia’s 4-2 win over Zimbabwe in January 2019.

Group F

Reigning champions Cameroon got their title defense underway with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday. After a goalless first half, Banana Yaya and Stephane Bahoken scored within three minutes of each other to earn the Indomitable Lions all three points.

In the final match of week one, Ghana were held to a surprise 2-2 draw by Benin. The Ghanaians copped the fastest goal at AFCON 2019 so far when they conceded just two minutes into the match courtesy of Mickael Pote. They responded with two first-half goals by brothers Jordan and Andre Ayew but relinquished their lead early in the second half, soon after John Boye was sent off for a second yellow card. Veteran striker Pote, who scored both of Benin’s goals, was the only player in game-week 1 to score more than one goal.