So that was AFCON 2023? What did you make of it?
Ultimately, an African heavyweight triumphed, as naturally predicted by the SBOTOP AFCON 2024 betting odds.
But my word, didn’t we get plenty of AFCON 2024 highlights, stories, and surprises along the way?
And for those of you who love the tournament showcasing Africa’s finest, you won’t have too long to wait until the next one in Morocco next year. On that note, the dates are a little up in the air at the moment.
Back to now, though, and AFCON 2023 will be remembered for the fact that Mohamed Salah’s Egyptian dream has still not materialized—he returned to England injured and never returned as his team was shocked and knocked out at the last-16 stage by the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Egypt’s goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal was the unfortunate player to miss a penalty in the shootout as Congo claimed an epic 8-7 victory in San Pedro.
It will also be remembered for the fact lightning could not strike twice for holders Senegal, the immense pressure on hosts the Ivory Coast and misery for Morocco – the surprise stars of the 2022 World Cup.
After they delighted so many in Qatar, their continental curse continued, and they now remain without a Cup of Nations title since 1976 after being undone in their last-16 tie in the muggy heat of the Laurent Pokou Stadium.
Missing the attacking talents of injured playmaker Hakim Ziyech, with Sofyan Amrabat sent off late on and Achraf Hakimi missing a penalty, South Africa ran out 2-0 winners and went on to reach the semi-finals.
Even then, South Africa only missed out on a place in the final courtesy of a shoot-out defeat to Nigeria and eventually finished in a fine third place as they saw off Congo in the third-place play-off.
Two-time champions themselves, but not since 1974, DR Congo had drawn their first four games at the finals, and this SBOTOP pundit did not have them among the favourites but they can look back on a very creditable tournament.
Others shone against the odds too, including Emilio Nsue of Equatorial Guinea.
Few would have predicted the 34-year-old would win the Golden Boot, but his hat-trick against Guinea-Bissau, followed by a double in a shock 4-0 drubbing of Ivory Coast, took his tally to five and he was never caught, despite their exit in the last 16.
And yes, I refer again to the Ivory Coast, who looked out of the tournament on at least three occasions and sacked their coach after the group phase, but somehow went all the way.
On the brink of exiting the finals after just three games, their euphoric celebrations after reaching the final showed just what it means to the host country and gave interim boss Emerse Fae the chance to guide the Elephants to a third continental title, adding to triumphs in 1992 and 2015.
He duly took it in Abidjan against three-time winners Nigeria, themselves seeking a fourth title that would put them level with Ghana as the third-most successful side in African history.
If victory capped a remarkable journey for Fae, the 40-year-old former Nantes, Reading, and Nice midfielder, the player who scored the winning goal must have dreamt of this moment.
It’s less than two years since Sebastian Haller discovered he had a testicular tumor. The diagnosis came just a few weeks after he had joined Borussia Dortmund from Ajax.
After complaining of discomfort during a pre-season training camp, Haller saw a urologist and an operation was carried out to remove his entire cancerous testicle. Six days later, he started receiving chemotherapy. A catheter was attached to his body for five days and he was not allowed to leave the hospital bed.
The story that followed has been one of courage and character (and that is even without him kicking a football again), and now he has scored the goal to ensure his country are champions of Africa.
In addition, his manager, a former Reading player and only in charge on an interim basis (although that will surely now change), has won Africa’s most prestigious trophy in just his fourth game in charge of the national team.
Who saw this coming, especially when the nation lost two of their three group games?
One of the greatest sporting moments ever for the Ivory Coast, the utterly joyous scenes this evening will live long in the memory for so many reasons, not least the ultimate comeback story.
That was AFCON 2023, until next time…
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
