Senegal, known as the Lions of Teranga became the AFCON 2021 Winners in Yaounde, Cameroon. This was the second, consecutive, time they appeared in the finals. Well, after a long wait, Aliou Cissé, -Senegal Coach- afforded a smile. Originally scheduled for July 2021, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was be played in Cameroon starting 9th January to 6th February 2022. The tournament comprised of 24 teams that battle it out in groups to make it to the big stage – Finals.
In the six groups, each consisting of 4 teams, a single round-robin was applied. After the group stage, 8 teams went home. The teams that proceeded to the round of 16 were the top-2 teams in each group and four ‘best’ third-placed teams.
From the round of 16, the winners proceeded to the quarter-final. Consequently, the winners of the quarter-final made it to the semi-finals. As usual, the losers of the semi-finals competed for third place, Cameroon vs. Burkina Faso, while the winner of the same contest plays the final match.
Although COVID-19 proved to persist, the teams were set and determined for the tournament.
AFCON previous defending champions:
Algeria.
On 19th July 2019, Algeria won the Africa Cup of Nations by defeating Senegal 1-0. This was Algeria’s 1st AFCON title since 1990. With the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Baghdad Bounedjah who play for Manchester City and Al Sadd respectively, Algeria (The Desert Warriors) remains a top-rated team in Africa. After proving in Cairo International Stadium, Djamel Belmadi is set to do it again in Olembe Stadium, Yaounde.
Groups
A total of 24 teams qualified for the AFCON title.
Group A
- Cameroon
- Burkina Faso
- Ethiopia
- Cape Verde
Group B
- Senegal
- Zimbabwe
- Guinea
- Malawi
Group C
- Morocco
- Ghana
- Comoros
- Gabon
Group D
- Nigeria
- Egypt
- Sudan
- Guinea-Bissau
Group E
- Algeria
- Sierra Leone
- Eq Guinea
- Ivory Coast
Group F
- Tunisia
- Mali
- Gambia
- Mauritania
Hint: AFCON 20221’s official match ball was called TOGHU.
Match officials:
A total of 24 referees officiated the AFCON matches. There will also be 31 assistant referees and 8 VARs. All these match officials are from 36 African countries.
Venues and stadiums:
Six Cameronian cities, and Six Stadiums!
Olembe Stadium – Yaoundé,
Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo – Yaoundé,
Japoma Stadium – Douala,
Limbe Stadium – Limbe,
Koue Kong Stadium – Bafoussam
Roumde Adjia Stadium – Garoua,
From the tournament’s history, no team is considered a favourite. Every team is a team to watch. However, Algeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Nigeria and Egypt and Ghana were among the teams on a mission to make history. Senegal won the AFCON 2021 in Cameroon.
