The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 has witnessed the early departure of five teams as the group stage reaches its conclusion.
Among the heavyweights experiencing heartbreak are former champions Algeria and perennial contenders Ghana.
Ghana’s late collapse
The Black Stars, guided by coach Chris Hughton, faced a devastating exit from AFCON 2023 after failing to secure a spot in the round of 16 for the second consecutive time. Despite holding a 2-0 lead against Mozambique in their final group match, disaster struck in second-half injury time as they conceded two late goals to the Mambas. A draw result dashed their hopes, relying on a Gambia-Cameroon draw, which momentarily seemed possible. However, Christopher Wooh’s dramatic winner for Cameroon sealed Ghana’s fate, leading to swift changes in the team management with Hughton’s dismissal.
Algeria’s shocking exit
The 2019 AFCON champions, Algeria, experienced an unexpected and dramatic fall from grace as they crashed out of the tournament by finishing at the bottom of Group D. Needing just a draw against Mauritania in their final group match, the Fennecs suffered a stunning 1-0 defeat, marking the end of their campaign.
Guinea-Bissau’s goalless journey
Guinea-Bissau faced a disappointing AFCON 2023, exiting the tournament after finishing at the bottom of Group A without securing a single point. The Djurtus struggled against Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria, conceding defeats in all their group matches.
Mozambique’s late heroics
Despite failing to progress to the round of 16, Mozambique left their mark on AFCON 2023. The Mambas finished bottom of Group B but not before staging a dramatic comeback against Ghana, scoring two late goals to deny the Black Stars a spot in the knockout stage.
Gambia’s missed opportunities
The Scorpions of Gambia endured a disappointing AFCON 2023, losing all their group matches against Senegal, Cameroon, and Guinea. Despite coming close to securing a spot in the round of 16 with a 2-1 lead against Cameroon, late goals from the Indomitable Lions shattered their hopes.
As AFCON 2023 progresses, the tournament bids farewell to these five teams, each dealing with their unique set of challenges and disappointments. The knockout stage awaits the remaining contenders, promising more thrills and unpredictable outcomes.
