One of the more underrated football (soccer) tournaments that occurs yearly is the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). The tournament follows the same format as the immensely more popular UEFA Euro’s competition, though in AFCON, only African nations are permitted to compete. Most football fans don’t watch AFCON because they think it won’t be entertaining due to the lower quality of most African national teams, but they are sorely mistaken. The lower quality of teams allows AFCON to shine where many other tournaments like the Euros fail, revealing AFCON’s greatest trait: unpredictability. In tournaments such as the Euros, there is a large gap between higher quality teams such as Germany, England, and France, and inferior teams such as North Macedonia, San Marino and the Faroe Islands. In AFCON, the gap in skill between teams is significantly smaller, allowing underdogs to take home victories more frequently.

This year’s AFCON Tournament hosted in Cote d’Ivoire is a great example of this unpredictability, with upsets happening immediately after the beginning of the tournament, starting in the group stage of the tournament. In a turn of events, smaller nations such as Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, and Angola were winning their matches against historically more competent teams and were able to finish in the top of their groups. Meanwhile, countries favoured to win the tournament, like Ghana and last year’s winner, Algeria, were all knocked out in the group stage of the tournament. These amounted to major upsets. 

The excitement continued into the Round of 16, with neck-and-neck games such as the Egypt vs DR Congo game, with Congo dealing Egypt a massive upset by winning 8-7 in penalties, and Cote d’Ivoire beating Senegal 5-4, also in penalties. In the Quarterfinals, Nigeria (who at this point were the favourites to win the tournament) edged a 1-0 victory over Angola with Adeola Lookman scoring an absolute banger from inside the box. Cote d’Ivoire narrowly made it to the Quarterfinals in a tense match with 1 red card and three yellow cards on each side in extra time. DR Congo put on another impressive performance to beat Guinea 3-1 after going down 1-0 in the first 15 minutes, and South Africa won a narrow victory by beating Cape Verde 2-1 in penalties. In the Semi-finals, the matches were equally exciting with Cote d’Ivoire beating DR Congo 1-0, but the Nigeria vs South Africa game had many fans on the edge of their seat with Nigeria scoring first, 67 minutes into the match, another Nigerian goal being denied by VAR (Video Assisted Review) 16 minutes later, and South Africa scoring a late equalizer in the 90^th minute of the game. Nigeria eventually won 4-2 in penalties, setting them up to face the hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, in the final. The third-place match between South Africa and DR Congo was not a thriller with the match ending 0-0 in extra time, but it definitely lived up to the hype in the penalty shootout with South Africa just barely beating DR Congo 6-5. 

Now going into the Final, many people believed that Nigeria would easily beat Cote d’Ivoire who had struggled to get to this stage. This belief was solidified when Nigerian captain Troost-Ekong scored a header 38 minutes into the match. However, this match proved once again why AFCON is such an excitement to watch. Cote d’Ivoire came into the 2^nd half playing better than ever with Kessie scoring a goal in the 63^rd minute equalizing the match. Cote d’Ivoire’s momentum didn’t stop there with Sebastien Haller scoring a 2^nd for the home side 18 minutes later. Nigeria couldn’t produce a goal, allowing Cote d’Ivoire to win their 3^rd AFCON trophy. Not only was Cote d’Ivoire able to win their 3^rdAFCON in their own country, but it also marked a triumphant return for Sebastien Haller who beat cancer after two operations and four rounds of chemotherapy at only 29 years old. 

AFCON is a tournament full of deep rivalries, vibrant fans, good music (I recommend Cote d’Ivoire’s anthem for the tournament: “Coup de Marteau” by Tam Sir and many other artists, for its upbeat catchy beat and the popular dance it’s accompanied by), and unpredictable matches that would surely bring fans of all nations together in joy and excitement. So, my challenge to all of those who read this article would be to step out of your comfort zone and watch AFCON next year. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed with whatever the outcome may be.