The centerpiece of the second day of this year’s African Cup of Nations was a derby match between AFCON’s giants and group rivals Morocco and Ghana. Unfortunately, this game will be soon forgotten due to lack of quality, but the Atlas Lions managed to secure a minimal win and all but the secure first place in Group C. It’s also worth noting that all four games finished with a minimal score (1-0), but at least, three of them were not from penalty spots, but from actual chances. Unlike Morocco, Senegal had plenty of opportunities to score against Zimbabwe but in the end, it was Mane’s precise shot from the penalty spot deep in injury time that brought them the first victory in the tournament. Guinea also managed to win, but their keeper was the hero of the day, which says enough about this match. And Gabon was nearly punished for not playing their star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but still got all three points against poor Comorans, courtesy of Boupendza’s goal of the day. Auba will remain unavailable since he carelessly partied in Dubai and is now Covid positive. FULL-TIME! ⏰#TeamSenegal 1⃣-0️⃣ #TeamZimbabwe With a killer goal by Sadio Mané in the dying minutes of the match, the #LionsofTeranga secure their first three points. 💪#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #SENZWE pic.twitter.com/hmAzL0xl5S— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 10, 2022 Hero of the day: Aly Keita Guinea secured all three points against Malawi not only because Sylla scored the winning goal, but because Aly Keita prevented the Flames from scoring three or more. Limbikani Mzava, Peter Banda, and Francisco Madinga all tried but were all denied as Keita was easily the man of the match (Keita got the award instead). Clearly, Guinea keeper still has his president’s message in mind: “Win the cup or reimburse the money that’s been invested in you”. So far, so good. This’ll go down like a lead balloon but this wasn’t even remotely deserved. Did very little to influence the game & was average at best.Should’ve gone to Guinea GK Aly Keita who was brilliant & probably won them the game. Sadly seems they’re picking names not performances. https://t.co/6kP03ivLU2— Ross (@rpiper14) January 10, 2022 Fail of the day: GhanaThe Black Stars are in group C with another AFCON giant and tournament favorite Morocco, and they played their first match against the Atlas Lions, but coach Rajevac, along with his players, will be sad tonight. They could have won this. Morocco is a strong squad full of international stars, but they didn’t show much today, and the game could have gone the other way if only keeper Bono didn’t make a magnificent save after Paintsil’s powerful shot. With poor Comoran and Gabon in their group, Ghana is almost certain to finish second and advance, but they missed a solid opportunity to secure the first spot today. AFCON 2021: Morocco leaves it late to edge GhanaThe goal of the day: Aaron-Salem BoupendzaMaybe he didn’t want to (and certainly didn’t aim when he took the shot), but Boupendza’s shot from nearly a dead angle was easily the goal of the day. Gabon played poorly and maybe didn’t deserve the three points against AFCON debutants Comoros, but Bounpendza’s shot is a beauty and it’s worth watching over and over.
