AFCON 2023: Top 5 ranked teams fail to make last 16

By
Frank Appiah
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Morocco eliminated as top 5 ranked teams bow out of AFCON 2023
Photo credit: REUTERS/Silvio Castellanos
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All top 5 ranked teams in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 have been eliminated from the tournament after Morocco’s exit.

The Atlas Lions became the latest to suffer this setback as they lost to South Africa in the round of 16 on Tuesday night. The AFCON 2023 therefore will have none of them in the quarter-finals.

Morocco eliminated by South Africa as top 5 ranked teams bow out of AFCON 2023
South Africa’s players celebrate after scoring a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 round of 16 football match between Morocco and South Africa.
Image credit: Getty Images

Achraf Hakimi missed a spot kick in the 85th minute denying the top-ranked African side an equaliser. Bafana Bafana had earlier taken the lead in the 57th minute thanks to Evidence Makgopa’s strike. Things got worse for the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists as Manchester United’s Amrabat got sent off. The midfielder was dismissed for a dangerous tackle, with the resulting free-kick turning into South Africa’s second goal. Teboho Mokoena expertly struck the ball beating Bono and securing the crucial victory for the 1996 champions.

Read more:Β South Africa shock Morocco to advance to quarters of AFCON 2023

How top 5 ranked teams bowed out

This remarkable performance from Bafana Bafana, followed another shock the previous night as Senegal bowed out. The defending champions after taking an early lead against hosts Ivory Coast were stunned as Frank Kessie converted a late penalty to send the game to extra time. After 120 minutes the game was decided on penalty shootouts and the Elephants emerged victorious with a 5-4 win.

Meanwhile, the third and fourth-ranked teams Tunisia and Algeria couldn’t sail through in the group stage. The Carthage Eagles lost to Namibia 1-0, drew 1-1 with Mali and 0-0 with South Africa, and finished bottom of Group E. Algeria also failed to sail through having drawn 1-1 and 2-2 with Angola and Burkina Faso respectively. Intending to beat Mauritania and qualify they lost 1-0 in a shocking turn of events.

Fifth-ranked Egypt recorded stalemates throughout. Played 2-2 with Mozambique, Ghana and Cape Verde in Group B and eventually qualified. They also played a 1-1 draw with DR Congo but lost 8-7 on penalties.

Moving forward, the quarter-finals of the AFCON 2023 promise more excitement and surprises with mouth-watering fixtures. Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face the Palancas Negras of Angola while Mali clash with Ivory Coast. Another dicey encounter will take place when South Africa trade tackles with Cape Verde. DR Congo will also play against Guinea as all teams now seek a place in the semi-finals.