Football, beautiful posters, big surprises… The 2024 African Cup of Nations has started with a bang in Ivory Coast. Under pressure, the Elephants performed well in the opening match, but this is not the case for all the favorites. Thus, Ghana, Egypt and Nigeria did not win their first group match, facing opponents, a priori, within their reach. It’s up to Senegal, Algeria and Cameroon to break this bad streak this Monday.
Fact of the day: Chris Hughton attacked
This is THE big surprise at the start of the African Cup of Nations: Sunday evening, Ghana was beaten, in its first group match, by Cape Verde (1-2), despite a goal from former Strasbourg resident Alexander Djiku. The Black Stars lost in injury time, with a goal from former Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe player Garry Rodrigues.
Back at the hotel where the Ghanaian delegation was gathered, coach Chris Hughton was attacked by a supporter unhappy with his country’s result, reports journalist Saddick Adams on X (formerly Twitter). The attacker was handed over to the Ivorian police forces after the intervention of several Ghanaian diplomats.
Match of the day: Algeria under pressure
The joy and elation after the African champion title acquired in 2019 seems far away. Since then, Algeria has had one series of disappointments, with elimination from the 2022 Africa Cup in the first round and elimination from the 2022 World Cup play-offs. Despite these failures, Djamel Belmadi, the coach of the Fennecs, was extended until 2026.
The former midfielder has “clear objectives during the next two CAN”, announced the Federation. In a group a priori within their reach, with Angola (match this Monday at 9 p.m.), Mauritania and Burkina Faso, the Fennecs should pass this first round without much difficulty. The Fennecs will notably be able to take on the former Lyonnais Houssem Aouar.
Player of the day: André Onana
Cameroon plays its first match this Monday against Guinea (6 p.m.). It will be done without André Onana, the starting goalkeeper of the Indomitable Lions. The former Inter Milan player played in the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Tottenham on Sunday before taking a private jet to join his team in Ivory Coast.
“We all know that Onana remains one of the best goalkeepers. If we gave him authorization, it is because we know the qualities he has, justified Cameroonian coach Rigobert Song. At the group level, everything is going well. » Arriving in the evening in Yamoussoukro, Onana should be replaced for this first match by Fabrice Ondoa (Nîmes).
Supporter of the day
