Equatorial Guinea’s stunning 4–0 demolition of host
nation Ivory Coast at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is widely
regarded as one of the greatest shocks in the tournament’s history.
The result sent shockwaves across the continent,
reinforcing AFCON’s reputation as a competition where reputations offer no
guarantees. In a look back at some of the most unforgettable upsets, AFP
Sport highlights the moments that rewrote African football history.
Ivory Coast 0–4 Equatorial Guinea
Few predicted what unfolded when Equatorial Guinea
faced the tournament hosts. After a tight contest, Equatorial Guinea struck three
late goals, sealing a sensational group-stage victory.
Despite the humiliation, Ivory Coast narrowly
qualified for the knockout phase as the fourth-best third-placed team
and eventually went on to win the tournament, defeating Nigeria in the
final. Equatorial Guinea, however, exited at the round of 16.
Comoros 3–2 Ghana
Four-time champions Ghana endured one of their darkest
AFCON moments in Cameroon 2022, crashing out in the group stage.
Ahmed Mogni scored an 85th-minute winner for
Comoros in a thrilling encounter, while Ghana’s struggles were compounded by
the red card shown to captain Andre Ayew. The defeat marked a
humiliating early exit for the Black Stars.
Benin 1–1 Morocco (Benin win on penalties)
Morocco arrived at AFCON 2019 in Egypt as one of the
title favourites, having beaten Ivory Coast and South Africa in the
group stage.
However, Benin held the Atlas Lions to a draw before
winning 4–1 on penalties in the round of 16, sending shockwaves through
the tournament.
Zambia 0–0 Ivory Coast (Zambia win on
penalties)
In the 2012 final in Gabon, Zambia were clear
underdogs against an Ivory Coast side boasting stars such as Didier Drogba,
Yaya Touré, and Kolo Touré.
Drogba missed a crucial penalty in regulation time,
and Zambia eventually triumphed in a dramatic shootout, with Stophira Sunzu
scoring the decisive kick to seal a historic title.
Tunisia 0–2 Mali
One of the earliest AFCON upsets came in 1994,
when Mali stunned tournament hosts Tunisia in the opening match.
So furious was then-President Zine El Abidine Ben
Ali with Tunisia’s first-half performance that he reportedly walked out of
the stadium at half-time, having witnessed Mali take a commanding two-goal lead
they never relinquished.
Nigeria Set for AFCON 2025 Challenge
Meanwhile, Nigeria has been drawn in Group C of
the upcoming AFCON 2025, alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The Super Eagles will open their campaign against Tanzania’s
Taifa Stars on December 23, before facing Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles
four days later.
As history has repeatedly shown, AFCON remains a
tournament where giants can fall—and underdogs can rise to immortality.
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