Tops

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Aboubakar king of scorers

Vincent Aboubakar, captain of Cameroon, dominates with his goals from the head and his shoulder shots the ranking of scorers with 5 achievements.

The leader of the "den" has already equaled the record of an "Indomitable Lion" in CAN, the 5 goals of President Samuel Eto'o in 2006 and 2008, and is walking in the footsteps of the absolute record, the 9 goals of the Zairian (now DRC) Pierre Ndaye Mulamba in 1974.

Captain of the indomitable lions of Cameroon Vincent Aboubakar, king of scorers, struck again against Cape Verde in Yaoundé, January 17, 2022 Kenzo Tribouillard AFP / Archives

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Gifted Beginners, Impressive Nigeria

For their first participation, Comoros and Gambia qualified for the round of 16.

The "Cœlacanthes" beat Ghana (3-2) and pass as best third.

The "Scorpions" of the Belgian wizard Tom Saintfiet do even better, second in their group with two 1-0 victories over Mauritania and Tunisia.

The most impressive selection of the first round remains Nigeria, which won all its matches and developed a very attractive attacking game, carried by the vista of Joe Aribo, Moses Simon or Kelechi Iheanacho.

A favorite at the height, unlike for example Senegal, qualified but disappointing.

The Nigerians, celebrating here the goal of Samuel Chukwueze against Sudan in group D on January 15, 2022 in Garoua, left a strong impression in this CAN Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO AFP / Archives

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The reaction to increase attendance

After the first matches in front of empty stands and especially Cameroon's second in a very poorly filled Olembé stadium, the authorities reacted quickly to correct the crowds: the mayor of Bafoussam distributed seats, the government released the after- noon for students and officials... and the doors open generously at kick-off.

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Vahid, Queiroz, Neveu, the good customers

Vahid Halilhodzic who will "sleep well" despite criticism from the Moroccan press, Carlos Queiroz who advises the Egyptian media "to hire experts" to understand his game system or the Gabon coach Patrice Neveu who does not "want to wear hat" for the lack of fair play, CAN press conferences are hosted by "good customer" coaches.

flops

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Algeria, the fiasco

The biggest failure of this first round.

The defending champions have fallen from a great height.

They did not assume their role as favorites at all, did not win a single match and scored only one goal.

As in 1992, Algeria was eliminated from entry.

And the World Cup play-offs are coming in two months...

Algerian players, captain Riyad Mahrez in the lead, lost to Côte d'Ivoire in Douala on January 20, 2022 CHARLY TRIBALLEAU AFP

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Ayew and Ghana on edge

André Ayew who calls Gabon a "small team" for a gesture he considers unfair play, André Ayew excluded after 25 minutes against the Comoros for a sole on the goalkeeper, the captain of the "Black Stars" of Ghana lacked serenity at the CAN.

And the quadruple champion finished last in his group without a single victory.

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The Covid, still there

Burkina-Faso deprived of five executives for the opening match, Cape Verde which had to train one day without a goalkeeper, Tunisia with 12 absentees in the last match and especially Gabon without its star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Covid-19 disrupted the first round a lot and made it difficult for fans to come to the stadium.

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The lawn of Douala

The ground of the Douala stadium is a little too bumpy for African Cup matches.

But "Côte d'Ivoire has managed to develop beautiful football", underlines Claude Le Roy, record holder for participation in the African Cup on a bench (10).

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) considered moving to Yaoundé for a few matches, before backing down.

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The game cut short

Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe was an unwitting hero in the first round by signaling the end of the Mali-Tunisia match (1-0) too early, and twice.

Victim of a sunstroke, he was "in the vapes".

Tunisia's protest was classified and the score endorsed.

Tunisian coach Mondher Kebaier and his staff protest against referee Janny Sikazwe's decision to listen to the match against Mali in Limbe, January 12, 2022 Issouf SANOGO AFP / Archives

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Tunisia's missed penalties

The "Eagles of Carthage" no longer know how to aim.

Tunisia didn't convert any of the three penalties they got, one per game.

Wahbi Khazri failed against Mali, Youssef Msakni missed that of 5-0 against Mauritania (4-0) and Seifeddine Jaziri that against Gambia (defeat 1-0).

In the event of a penalty in the round of 16 against Nigeria, the shooter will be under pressure!

© 2022 AFP