The quarter-finals of CAN 2024 are now over. There are only four teams remaining and as many matches. The opportunity to draw a first assessment of this competition in Ivory Coast. Here are the tops and flops of the African Cup.
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The Tops: welcome, surprises and show!
Akwaba
“Welcome” in the Akan language, used by ethnic groups in Ivory Coast and neighboring Ghana. More than an expression, Akwaba symbolizes hospitality towards visitors and it is not an empty word for the Ivorians, who have made it a true art of living. For this African Cup at home, the word is everywhere: it is the name of the mascot and the anthem sung by Magic System.
And it is clear that the reputation of the Ivorians has not been usurped. Smiling and welcoming, they are happy to welcome all of Africa and scenes of brotherhood are numerous.
An Ivorian “CAN of hospitality” off and on the ground. The stadiums are welcoming, and many participants praised the quality of the infrastructure. Beautiful lawns in the stadiums despite the sequence of matches, but also on the training grounds.
The “CAN of work”
The expression is by Sébastien Desabre, coach of DR Congo. Questioned before the quarter-final of the Leopards against Guinea (3-1), the coach contrasted the expression “CAN of surprises” with that of “CAN of work”. “The teams that are in the quarter-finals are all good teams,” he added. The Congolese are among those who succeed in their CAN 2024: qualified in the last four, elimination of Egypt in the round of 16, draw against Morocco… DR Congo is there.
Just like Cape Verde and South Africa, who faced each other in the quarter-finals. As in Cameroon last time, the Blue Sharks put on an exciting game: they notably took out Ghana and drew against Egypt. As for Bafana Bafana, they discreetly continued their journey to the semi-finals: after a draw which eliminated Tunisia in the pools, they especially created a sensation by taking out Morocco in the round of 16, then Cape Verde, to reach the last square.
Read alsoAt the CAN, the “setting sun” of Mamelodi lights up South Africa
Equatorial Guinea and Angola are also good illustrations of this “CAN of work”. Two wins, one draw, eight goals scored and just one conceded: Nzalang topped their group before losing in the round of 16 against Guinea. Angola also had a good run in the group stage and even reached the quarter-finals, before crossing paths with Nigeria. The “little ones” are not condemned to remain so, and this African Cup is there to remind us of that.
Read alsoFind the table for the final phase
A spectacle
The next time a bitter person tells you that the African Cup of Nations is a competition without spectacle, without goals, with low-intensity matches in the middle of a dodge, talk to him about this CAN 2024. A festival of incredible goals, swaying dribbles in spades and only four games without a goal in 48 matches. We had to wait until the 33rd meeting to see the first 0-0, while at the same time 89 goals were scored during the 36 matches in the first round – or 2.5 on average per match. A record.
CAN 2024 is a treat. Take for example this modest Angola – Mauritania (3-2) from the second day. Who would have thought that the poster in the shadow of Algeria – Burkina Faso would offer so many spectacular goals with a completely unbridled match? This African Cup is worth the detour.
The flops: turnover, ticketing and journalists
Selectors on ejection seats
Read alsoWith the first eliminations, the waltz of the selectors has already begun
After the first round, while eight teams were eliminated, six coaches left the benches of their selection. Djamel Belmadi (Algeria), Adel Amrouche (Tanzania, suspended for unwelcome remarks), Chris Hugton (Ghana) were dismissed from their position. Just like Jean-Louis Gasset, even though Côte d’Ivoire was not yet eliminated, and which has also qualified and is continuing under the orders of Emerse Faé. Jalel Kadri (Tunisia) and Tom Saintfiet (Gambia) have chosen to resign. As for Walid Regragui (Morocco) and Aliou Cissé (Senegal), their future has not yet been decided after their exit in the round of 16.
Africa is ruthless with its selectors, that doesn’t change, even though their profiles are more and more varied. But at a time when the level is tightening and the teams are more and more competitive, we can wonder if changing coach with each setback is a solution to progress and gain consistency.
The favorites on the mat
Out with the big names. Most of the favorites and outsiders for the final victory were quickly eliminated from this CAN. Ghana, Tunisia and Algeria exited at the end of the group matches – for the second African Cup in a row for the Fennecs. Morocco, Senegal and Cameroon returned home after the round of 16. The Atlas Lions, semi-finalists of the 2022 World Cup and declared candidates for final victory, fell to South Africa. The Lions of Téranga, reigning African champions, were eliminated by Ivory Coast which rose from its ashes. And the Indomitable Lions logically lost to Nigeria. Only the Super Eagles have, for the moment, assumed their favorite status by being qualified in the last four.
Stadiums difficult to fill
During the first week of competition, we were sad to see the stands almost empty. Certainly the enthusiasm was not yet there, but above all many supporters denounced a shortage of tickets, bought en masse by resellers, and difficulties in ordering them online. CAF and the organizing committee then took measures to try to remedy this.
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Some stadiums opened their doors during the match to let spectators in, and it is clear that the stands are now full and lively. The high level of the competition must have also played a role, and the Ivorians, a little cooled by the chaotic course of the Elephants, regained momentum and an entire country became Orange.
In images, in picturesAt CAN 2024, colorful supporters
Journalists who are too supportive
An altercation between Senegalese and Guinean reporters, Ghanaian players whistled by journalists, Congolese media accused of violence by Moroccan journalists… Since the start of the CAN, the areas reserved for the press have presented a sad spectacle. So much so that the International Sports Press Association and CAF have issued press releases sharply criticizing “media men”, as they are called on the continent.
If rooming between colleagues of different nationalities has often been the norm during international competitions, it is intolerable that this goes beyond the brotherly joke to come to blows. CAF has promised to crack down.
