Football: The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations from A to Z

Cairo (AFP) – An A to Z of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, which concluded in Cairo Friday with Algeria defeating Senegal 1-0 in a final decided by a Baghdad Bounedjah goal after only two minutes:

A

Riyad Mahrez-captained Algeria were crowned African champions a second time after a tournament in which many rival coaches picked them out from early on as the best of the 24 title challengers.  

B

Benin stunned Morocco in the round of 16, winning 4-1 on penalties after playing most of extra time with 10 men following the red-carding of Khaled Adenon.

C

Defending champions Cameroon were eliminated by Nigeria in a second round match that was among the most exciting in the tournament and the loss cost coach Clarence Seedorf his job.   

D

The Democratic Republic of Congo achieved the biggest win of the tournament by thrashing Zimbabwe 4-0 in Group A with Cedric Bakambu bagging a brace. 

E

Mohamed Salah-inspired Egypt were shock last-16 casualties, conceding five minutes from time to lose 1-0 against South Africa, and coach Javier Aguirre was sacked almost immediately.  

F

The new 24-team format — up from 16 in the previous tournament — did deliver excitement with the best four third-place qualifiers decided only after the last two group matches. 

G

A run of six consecutive top-four finishes by Ghana came to an end as they lost a last-16 penalty shootout against Tunisia after Caleb Ekuban had his kick saved.

H

Near 40 celsius (104 fahrenheit) heat when some mid-afternoon matches kicked off was blamed for the often cagey, snail-pace football.

I

Nigerian Odion Ighalo completed a double by finishing as the leading scorer at the finals with five goals having topped the qualifying scoring chart with seven.

J

Playing in June and July for the first time instead of January and February meant hundreds of African stars avoided having to choose between their country and European club.

K

Back at the Cup of Nations after 15 years, Kenya had the satisfaction of defeating east African neighbours Tanzania in a thriller, but were outclassed by Algeria and Senegal. 

L

Starting for the first time in the tournament, South African Thembinkosi Lorch scored the goal that shattered Egyptian dreams of a record-extending eighth title.  

M

Pre-tournament outsiders Madagascar shocked Nigeria to top Group B, then won a penalty shootout against DR Congo before a jaded side fell to Tunisia in the quarter-finals.

from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2O4vJCz