AFCON Update: Upsets continue to haunt big sides, Mali to beat South Africa?

Africa Cup of Nations surprises continue with upsets and draws; favorites struggle in early matches.

Mali is one African team that needs to win the AFCON to establish themselves among the greats, they must start well against South Africa. (Photo credit: GOAL)

Following the first two days of premium upsets, the Africa Cup of Nations seems to have more up her sleeves in terms of shocking results.

Beyond the results of day 2, which saw Nigeria and Egypt labor to score draws and Ghana taste defeat in the hands of Cape Verde, day 3 served the same level of surprises, with Cameroon and Algeria both failing to win their opening games.

Senegal beat The Gambia 3-0 in the first game of the day, and while many expected the Terenga Lions to win the game, you can argue that their opponents were shot in the leg by the red card to Ebou Adams in the last minute of stoppage time in the first half.

If a man advantage helped Senegal to a 3-0 win earlier in the day, it added no value to Cameroon beyond a point, as the Indomitable Lions had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Guinea. Mohammed Bayo opened scoring for the Syli National before team captain Francois Kamano saw red.

Frank Magri headed home the equalizer shortly after the restart from a fine N’Koudou cross, but the five-time AFCON champions didn’t look like a team with a man advantage. Credits go to Guinea for giving a good fight, and this means something for the rest of the group games.

Algeria was expected to beat Angola with no disrespect to the Angolans, but a 68th-minute penalty by Mabululu cancelled out an early goal by the Algerians, and all efforts by the 2019 champions to find a winner proved abortive.

On Tuesday, Burkina Faso will play Mauritania in the early kickoff, with the Burkina Babes the clear favorite. Going by what we’ve seen so far, Burkina Faso won’t rest until after the final whistle, but the form of Mauritania doesn’t inspire confidence, with only one win in their last five.

Right after that, 2004 champions Tunisia will entertain Namibia, with the Flames also struggling for form. Namibia has only one win in their last five, which was the 2-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe in November. Tunisia will feel disappointed if they don’t beat Namibia.

The final game of the day is arguably the fixture of the day. Perennial underachievers Mali will play 2006 champions South Africa, with the latter living on past glory. Mali is that team with potential but nothing to show for it. This is the AFCON you feel they should win; they must start with a bang.