AFCON 2022, which kicked off amid Covid concerns, has reached the knock-out stages. The tournament, hosted by Cameroon, started with 24 teams divided into 6 groups of 4 each, and now 8 teams fight it out in the quarters.
BingeConnect gives you a preview of the fixtures as the competition intensifies.
Cameroon vs Gambia
After their dominating performance on the group stage, hosts Cameroon made themselves clear that they meant business and looked like one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
Two wins and a draw in group stage followed by 2-1 victory in the Round of 16 over Comoros has soared their confidence.
Gambia’s main threat is Cameroon’s centre-forward Vincent Aboubakar. The 30-year-old striker is in red hot form scoring 6 goals in 4 appearances, and is the highest goal-scorer in the tournament.
Karl Toko-Ekambi is the joint second-highest goal-scorer with 3 goals in 4 appearances. Aboubakar and Toko-Ekambi make a deadly combination in the front for Cameroon.
On the other hand, Gambia is not as prolific but are equipped to exploit any slips from the hosts as they have shown their reputation by defeating Tunisia and Guinea in their previous matches.
Cameroon go into the match with the crowd behind them as definite favourites, but an upset can’t be crossed out.
Tunisia vs Burkina Faso
Tunisia’s first match was a disappointment as they were beaten 1-0 by Mali in a game that saw the referee blow a controversial full-time whistle in the 89th minute.
In the next game, they thrashed Mauritania 4-0 before Gambia gave them another loss pushing them down to 3rd. But they had done enough to qualify for the next round, where they beat 3-time winners Nigeria in a narrowly contested game.
Burkina Faso lack big stars in their squad, but their disciplined and tactical football has compensated for it.
Tunisia go in as the favourites in this tie.
Morocco vs Egypt
This game will see two of the hottest properties in world football at the moment go against each other- Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egypt’s Mohammed Salah.
Hakimi’s outrageous free-kick powered Morocco to a 2-1 win against Malawi and into the quarters. This came after they topped a tough group with wins against Ghana and Comoros, alongside a draw against Gabon.
Egypt has the luxury of Liverpool’s talisman Mo Salah in their ranks, but the lack of star players in other positions is a significant hindrance. A surprising penalty shoot-out win against a strong Ivory Coast team has pushed them to the last 8 though.
With Morocco firing in all cylinders, Egypt should witness a Salah sensation on the pitch to reach the semis.
Senegal vs Equatorial Guinea
If there was one team that was certain to be in this phase of the tournament, it is Senegal. The Teranga Lions, as they are called, have one of the finest wingers in Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and Chelsea’s Champions League-winning goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in their star-studded lineup.
Though they topped the group, they did not look decisive. Senegal only managed 5 points in 3 matches, but their 2-0 win over Cape Verde in the Round of 16 reminded everyone that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Without players at the level of Mane and Mendy, Equatorial Guinea have defeated reigning champions Algeria in the group stage and overcome Mali in the Round of 16.
Senegal are the clear favourites going into the match, but they should be wary of their giant-killing opponents.
Read More : Bayern suffer shock 1-2 defeat against Borussia Monchengladbach at Home
