Startling Developments Unfold as Afcon Enters Second Day: African Football Giants Falter in Opening Matches
Nigeria, a three-time Afcon champion, extended their pre-tournament struggles into the competition, settling for a 1-1 draw against underdog Equatorial Guinea in their Afcon opener at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan. The Super Eagles had to recover from a goal down, with Equatorial Guinea taking the lead in the 36th minute through Ivan Salvador. However, the reigning African player, Victor Osimhen, swiftly equalized two minutes later.
Meanwhile, record holders Egypt narrowly averted defeat in a riveting 2-2 draw against COSAFA representatives Mozambique at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan. Mostafa Mohammed provided the Pharaohs with an early lead after just two minutes of play. Despite the Mambas regrouping and trailing only 1-0 at the break, they staged a surprising comeback in the second half. Quembo Witi equalized in the 55th minute, followed by Clesio Bauque’s goal three minutes later, putting Mozambique in the lead against the record holders and on the brink of a historic upset.
Mozambique maintained their lead until regular time, only to have victory denied in additional time by VAR intervention. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR), under the supervision of Kenyan referee Dr. Peter Waweru Kamaku, summoned the center referee to the pitchside monitor for a comprehensive review of a tackle executed by Domingos Macandza on Mostafa. Subsequently, the match official deemed the incident worthy of a penalty kick and duly awarded it. Mohamed Salah stepped in, sending the Mambas’ keeper the wrong way and salvaging a point for Egypt in the 97th minute. The game concluded in a 2-2 draw.
In the late kick-off, Cape Verde Island caused a major upset by defeating the five-time champions Ghana at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny. Jamiro Monteiro provided Cape Verde with a well-deserved lead after 18 minutes of play. Despite Ghana’s Majeed Ashimeru thinking he had drawn level in the 36th minute, VAR ruled the goal offside. The Blue Sharks went into the break leading 1-0. Ghana’s Alexandre Djiku drew level in the 56th minute, but Cape Verde secured a last-minute winner with Garry Rodriguez, resulting in a stunning 2-1 defeat for the Black Stars.
