[COLUMN] Afcon 2021 heats for 33rd edition
The 33rd edition of the Afcon will be remembered as one that had many surprises received with euphoria by many and melancholy by some, writes BK Matewe.
POLOKWANE – Four-time champions Ghana, who allegedly had “robbed” their way to the tournament at the expense of Bafana Bafana, were sent packing by a relatively unknown quantity in debutants from Comoros, an archipelago of islands with a population less than a quarter of Accra’s located in the Indian ocean.
Reigning African champions Algeria ranked third in Africa behind Senegal and Morocco caught an early 2 550km flight back to Algiers after losing two and drawing one. Gambia making their debut appearance at an Afcon punched above their weight with an impressive two wins from their three matches to book at last 16 appointment with Group B runners up, Guinea.
Malawi also made it through for the first time in their history, holding Africa’s highest-ranked team Senegal to a goalless draw along the way. Malawi president Lazarus Chakwera had pledged to reward each player an approximate R18 000 had they beaten Senegal while Kelfoods, a poultry and animal feeds firm offered each player an egg tray worth R60 for a year for the same feat.
Rwandan referee Salima Mukansanga, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and Midwifery, became the first woman to officiate an Africa Cup of Nations game when she took charge of the match between Zimbabwe and Guinea in Cameroon where she cautioned five players.
And how can anyone forget Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe, who blew the final whistle twice – after just 85 minutes before restarting play, but then again with just 89 minutes and 43 seconds of the Group F clash between Mali and Tunisia.
Video assistant referees (VAR) are being used at all 52 matches at this edition of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. The 2019 edition in Egypt only saw the technology introduced from the quarter-finals. The winners of the Nations Cup will now receive prize money of approximately R75m, an increase of an approximate R7.5m from 2019.
More kicks and slicks to come.
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