AFCON Round 1 As It Happened: Every Opening Clash In Review

As It Happened

It's Boxing Day, and just like that the first round of AFCON games are over. Unfortunately for the neutrals there weren't too many shocks to count and the favourites won on most occasions. However, it was a brilliant first round of games that were bound to be entertaining. Remember, every single AFCON game is being played live on Channel 4, so there are no excuses in missing round two.

Morocco 2 - 0 Comoros

Goal scorers:

Morocco - Brahim Diaz & Ayoub El Kaabi

Group A kicked off with tournament favourites Morocco proving their plaudits right as they easily dispatched FIFA's 108th-ranked country in the world, Comoros. There was no doubt that the Moroccan side had ounces of more quality with Brahim Diaz proving why he plays for Real Madrid.

Comoros keeper Yannick Pandor had himself a brilliant opening day saving a penalty in the first half and keeping Morocco at bay for the majority of the game. That was until Brahim Diaz opened the scoring with an easy finish from Manchester United's Noussair Mazraoui cross.

The biggest talking point came into the second half. Ayoub El Kaabi rounded off Morocco's dominance with an absurd overhead kick, somehow shifting his body whilst midway in the air. His reaction was all of our reactions, and he will be hoping he can replicate that in the rest of his nation's tournament.

Mali 1 - 1 Zambia

Goal scorers:

Mali - Lassine Sinayoko

Zambia - Patson Daka

The second game in AFCON's group A might not have been full of goals, but last minute winners might top that. VAR came into action early in the first half after a foul on Dorgeles Nene in the box was deemed a penalty. It was then saved brilliantly by Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza, keeping the action 0-0 at half time.

The goals came raining in the second half and Mali's Lassine Sinayoko opened the scoring with a scrappy goal. It looked as if Mali would be crowned winners until Leicester's Patson Daka scored a dramatic last-minute winner to level the game. The striker has been struggling for goals in the Championship but he came to his country's aid when it mattered.

South Africa 2 - 1 **Angola **

Goal scorers:

South Africa - Oswin Appollis & Lyle Foster

Angola - Show

There's one thing that is not missing in any of these games, and it's chances. If you get a minute to watch this one on YouTube, the commentating is amazing to listen to. If only we had this much passion going to work everyday.

South Africa were clearly the better side on display but credit must go to Angola who gave it their best effort. Burnley striker Lyle Foster had himself an opening fixture getting on the scoresheet late in the second half and also picking up an assist.

Angola's Show did equalise for Angola in the first half, but Lyle Foster's 79th minute winner was the killer blow. It was an emphatic finish from the South African. The commentator described it perfectly as "an absolute peach of a goal." Which it was by the way.

Egypt 2 - 1 Zimbabwe

Goal scorers:

Egypt - Omar Marmoush & Mohammed Salah

Zimbabwe - Prince Dube

Egypt's attack is absolutely disgusting. Marmoush and Salah alone contribute to them being the best, if not one of the best attacks in the whole tournament alone. Both of them go on the score sheet for Egypt proving once again the Premier League provides the best talent in world football.

Egypt did leave it late though, as they trailed most of the match thanks to a Prince Dube opener. It was totally against the run of play however, as Egypt had the most chances. Luckily Marmoush evened the game in the second half and Salah won the game for his country in injury time.

Nigeria 2 - 1 Tanzania

Goal scorers:

Nigeria - Semi Ajayi & Ademola Lookman

Tanzania - Charles M'Bombwa

Nigeria also are one of the favourites for AFCON for a very good reason. Most football fans could name their starting 11 with notable names such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi. Nigeria showed their sheer dominance throughout, having a total of 21 shots throughout the 90. Osimhen looked their biggest threat as the number 9 is brilliant at making runs in behind the defence with his speed.

It was a defender though who opened the scoring as centre back Semi Ajayi neatly headed home Iwobi's cross to give them the lead. Credit to Tanzania though despite the early setback, they equalised through very poor Nigeria marking and Charles M'Bombwa had all the time in the world to pick his spot.

Nigeria's class then kicked back into gear as they retook the lead two minutes later through a brilliant individual effort from Lookman. He smashed one home with his left foot on the edge of the box in the 52nd minute. The hill was too big to climb for Tanzania from then on.

Tunisia 3 - 1 Uganda

Goal scorers:

Tunisia - Elyes Skhiri & Elias Achouri (x2)

Uganda - Denis Omedi

It was a day to forget for Uganda as Tunisia easily turned them over. Uganda were wasteful with their chances and even had more possession for the 90 but it wasn't enough to beat the Tunisia side that has plenty of attacking talent.

FC Copenhagen winger Elias Achouri will have his side missing his services for the foreseeable future as he was on top form in this one. His first goal was as satisfying as they come as at the end of a powerful cross he somehow used the side of his foot to guide the ball into the back of the net. Uganda couldn't contain him and whilst it wasn't as special as his first, he put Tunisia 3 - 0 up with an easy tap-in.

There was time for a consolation goal in stoppage time for Uganda's Denis Omedi but they will have to buck their ideas up if they wish to beat Tanzania on Saturday.

DR Congo 1 - 0 Benin

Goal scorers:

DR Congo - Theo Bongonda

As you might see with this one, the highlights are very disappointing and look like it was edited by a student doing their GCSEs. The match itself wasn't much more entertaining but it was a solid display for DR Congo who managed to keep a clean sheet on their opening game.

Poor communication at the back from Benin allowed a long ball to find its way to Congo winger Theo Bongonda who didn't hesitate in putting his country 1-0 up. There wasn't an abundance of chances for either side but Lorient forward Oluwatosin Aiyegun did come the closest to putting Benin back into contention but his snapshot was saved.

This one could have gone either way but Congo took their chances when it mattered most.

Senegal 3 - 0 Botswana

Goal scorers:

Senegal - Nicolas Jackson (x2) & Cherif Ndiaye

Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson was at the double as they took no shame in humbling a weak Botswana side. Senegal look like one of the best teams for a reason, their attacking talent is out of this world. Fans were sceptical of their defensive reinforcements but a clean sheet quickly disposed of any worries.

The front four of Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr were too much for the Botswana defence to handle and the chemistry between the four was resolute. Nicolas Jackson was lucky to score more than two but he will be happy to get on the score sheet for his country.

Substitute Cherif Ndiaye cemented Senegal's dominant victory just before injury time putting Senegal top of group D and in good stead.

Burkina Faso 2 - 1 Equatorial Guinea

Goal scorers:

Burkina Faso - Georgi Minoungou & Edmond Tapsoba

Equatorial Guinea - Marvin Anieboh

What. A. Game. This game showed what football is all about, it had everything and I feel bad for those of you who weren't able to catch a glimpse of it.

An early VAR check for a studs up tackle by Guinea left back Basilio Nchama meant he was then sent off leaving Guinea down to 10 men early into the second half. Burkina Faso thought they had opened the scoring in the 72nd minute but another VAR check found Lassina Frank Traore to be offside.

It remained goalless until the 85th minute when Marvin Anieboh managed to head home from a corner, and his teammates celebrated with him as if they'd won it. Oh they were so wrong. Georgi Minoungou then equalised for Burkina Faso in the 95th minute snatching away three points from Guinea. They weren't done there as three minutes later Bayer Leverkusen centre back Edmond Tapsoba won them the game with a bullet header. Football is the gift that keeps on giving, and was an early Christmas present for Burkina Faso but heartbreak for Guinea.

Algeria 3 -0 Sudan

Goal scorers:

Algeria - Riyad Mahrez (x2) & Ibrahim Maza

Riyad Mahrez might be getting older, but that touch of class that he has always possessed hasn't gone anywhere. The former City man was clinical in both of his finishes with that wand of a left foot. For his first, teammate Hicham Boudaoui might be claiming the assist of the tournament so far with a brilliant backheel. Of course, Mahrez did the rest with a clinical finish inside two minutes. He then added his second midway through the second half with another tidy finish.

Substitute Ibrahim Maza then cemented three points in the history books for Algeria and captivated a dominant performance. It was always a hard ask for Sudan after going down to 10 men in the first half as Salah Adil got his second yellow within quick succession. Algeria looked very strong.

Cote d'Ivoire 1 - 0 Mozambique

Goal scorers:

Cote d'Ivoire - Amad Diallo

2023 AFCON winners Ivory Coast will be pleased that they didn't get the blues in their opening game. A conservative defensive performance restricted to Mozambique having much attacking output at all and a clean sheet showed for it.

Manchester United's Amad Diallo was the only scorer of the game latching onto a loose header and finishing into the bottom right corner with his weak foot. There wasn't much more to talk about after that as both sides had a couple of chances but nothing that turned into goals.

Ivory Coast will be hoping that they can defend their AFCON title as they face Cameroon next on Sunday which is bound to be a goal fest.

Cameroon 1 - 0 Gabon

Goal scorers : Cameroon - Karl Etta Eyong

Last but not least, Cameroon faced off with Gabon in the last of the round 1 fixtures. Cameroon fired early on. Bryan Mbeumo took control of the attack early on and set striker Karl Etta Eyong through on goal and he tidily put the ball in the back of the net. Much like the other game in the group, not too much after that.

Cameroon had the best chance to double their lead in the second half but Stoke City full-back Junior Tchamadeu fired over. Gabon kept themselves in the game and didn't look like wavering under Cameroon's strong attack. However, just like most games if you aren't clinical then you won't score. Cameroon were just more clinical in this one.