Indeed betting odds were in tatters and betting websites were left in disarray when the favourites of the Africa Cup of Nations got eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Followers of the tournament have counted Burkina Faso and Cameroon out especially that they are up against the high-scoring teams of Tunisia and Senegal. However, they proved their critics wrong with unarguably their best showing in the competition so far.
Burkina Faso 2-0 Tunisia
Tunisia’s recklessness doomed them in the match as Burkina Faso scored two late goals to secure their ticket to the semi-finals.
Substitute Aristide Bance sparked the Stallions’ rampage as he sent the ball into the bottom corner of the net from a free-kick in the 81st minute. That goal put Tunisia in panic, leading them to ignore their defence as they sought for the equaliser.
Burkina Faso then took advantage of their out-of-sorts opponent to stage a counter and set up Prejuce Nakoulma who slotted home into an empty net with the goalkeeper 40 yards out.
The Carthage Eagles had plenty of chances early in the game, though it was clear that the spirited Burkinabe had better scoring opportunities against their opponents’ horrible defence.
Senegal 0-0 (4-5 on pens) Cameroon
Cameroon needed penalties to overcome Senegal, and it was all worth it.
Both teams went perfectly through the four rounds of spot kicks, but Senegal’s Sadio Mane – the game’s main attraction – saw his attempt in the fifth saved by the young Cameroon keeper Fabrice Ondoa. The Indomitable Lions’ Vincent Aboubakar then finished the job as he blasted through Senegal’s goalie.
Aliou Cisse and his Senegalese squad, however, have no one to blame but themselves for their elimination. Even though Hugo Broos’ side displayed their hallmark defence, Senegal still had a lot of wasted chances in regular and extra time, with Mane, Moussa Sow, Henri Saivet and Keita Balde all failing to convert clear-cut opportunities.
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