Desh Parthab takes a look at five thing which could decide who takes home the AFCON trophy.
Morocco – Chances gone begging
The Atlas Lions come into the quarters as the tournament’s second-highest scorers, with 7 goals. Despite this, Sofiane Boufal must be one unhappy man.
The winger has created 13 chances across his four appearances, which is the most from all players, but hasn’t registered a single assist.
Moreover, in their round of 16 bout against Malawi, Imran Louza created five chances in his 80 minutes – also to no avail. How many more chances can they afford to miss?
Ashraf Hakimi can't stop scoring ridiuclous free-kicks at #AFCON2021
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) January 25, 2022
What a strike from the #TeamMorocco right-back!
📺 Watch the AFCON highlights here: https://t.co/I7R9xTy5k9. pic.twitter.com/8rJjJcKIFD
Tunisia – Spot kick frailties
Tunisa will certainly be hoping their penalty takers find their form when it matters most.
The nation was awarded a penalty kick in each of their opening 3 AFCON fixtures with Wahbi Khazri, Youssef Msakni and Seifeddine Jaziri failing to find the back of the net respectively.
The attacking trio have all opened their accounts already, but it is yet to be seen who (if anyone) will successfully convert from the spot.
Add #TeamBurkinaFaso to the list of teams to miss a penalty at #AFCON2021:
— The Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) January 23, 2022
Tunisia: ❌❌❌
Guinea-Bissau: ❌
Sierra Leone: ❌
Ivory Coast: ❌
Algeria: ❌
Morocco: ❌
Burkina Faso: ❌
Nine of the 19 penalties taken in the tournament have been missed so far (47%). pic.twitter.com/yJwO0rsnAv
Egypt – Misfiring
Egypt have made it to the last eight of the tournament, having scored just two goals from open play. Muhammad Salah is the only attacker to have played every single minute on offer in the tournament thus far – but has scored just a solitary goal during that period.
Mostafa Mohamed (12 efforts) and Omar Marmoush (5 efforts) will need to find their shooting boots as they have got nothing to show for their attempts. The attacking trio have started all 4 of Egypt’s fixtures, but have severely underperformed.
𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓, 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏.@MoSalah kept #TeamEgypt hopes alive at #AFCON2021 last night, scoring the winning penalty to send @EFA into the quarter finals.
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) January 27, 2022
Egypt have won each of their last five AFCON shootouts, last failing to do so in 1984. 🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/kdPzz3D0Pb
Senegal – Impenetrable
Senegal are the only team yet to concede a goal in the tournament. The goalkeeping responsibilities have been shared between Seny Dieng and Edouard Mendy who have two clean sheets a piece.
If that’s not mind-boggling enough for you, not only did Senegal progress from their group, but they did so as group winners scoring just a solitary goal across their opening 3 fixtures!
🇸🇳 Kalidou Koulibaly on Senegal's ambitions this #AFCON2021:
— African Insider #AFCON2021🏆 (@African_Insider) January 25, 2022
"We've never said we were favourites. We have ambitions and we want to achieve our dreams. We're aware that AFCON is a very tough competition."pic.twitter.com/sHvMX4Qi0o
Gambia – Beginner’s Luck
Gambia have reached the quarterfinals in their very first appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations. They are undoubtedly the tournament’s surprise package and will have the support of neutrals the world over.
Musa Barrow has been in fine form for his nation, having been involved in all 4 of their goals. Furthermore, he has hit the woodwork twice and is on free kick duty, so he may very well be worth a punt!
Musa Barrow has been in top form for Gambia at the ongoing AFCON.
— Africa Soccer Zone (@AfricaSoccer_zn) January 26, 2022
🅰️ vs Mauritania
⚽ vs Mali
🅰️ vs Tunisia
⚽ vs Guinea
The 23-year-old has been involved in all of Gambia's 4 goals.
We hope he does not get Covid-19 before the game against Cameroon on Saturday.😁#AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/MGvKqq1WXD
