Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024 is a biannual continental soccer tournament for national teams from African countries.
Côte d’Ivoire is the current host of the 34th edition of the game.
The tournament began on January 13 and will conclude on February 11, 2024.
The performances of all competing teams at this tournament are a testament to the quality of players on the continent.
We have entered the final stage of this year’s event, where the continental champion will be determined.
In football, the dark horses and flops are essential information for those interested in sports betting.
This piece will uncover the dark horses and flops at AFCON 2023.
Dark Horses at the AFCON 2023
A dark horse is an underdog football team or player that exceeds expectations and achieves unlikely success in a tournament.
Despite having little hope, dark horses progress far by pulling off upsets against more fancied opponents through tactical mastery, standout performances, and determination.
Performance overview of the top Dark Horse teams
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is this year’s quintessential underdog.
Despite having a coach, Juan Micha, promoted from the U-17s due to a lack of options, they’ve already raised eyebrows by scoring successive wins over Libya in qualifying.
Factors like Micha’s familiarity with the next generation and a team of unknowns could be advantages.
Impacts include continuing their giant-killing run deep into the tournament.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde arrives with some history in the role of giant killers. In their 2013 debut, they rode a squad teeming with foreign-based talent to the quarterfinals.
Factors like a similar cosmopolitan squad blending European experience and West African spirit are why they’ll fancy causing more upsets.
The impact is positioning themselves as a dangerous float capable of surprising opponents.
Guinea
Guinea has gained a reputation as a fearless opponent for the bigger sides after vividly showcasing their resilient style by holding Senegal scoreless in 2021.
Despite injury worries over talisman Serhou Guirassy up front, factors like the tenacity permeating the whole squad make them a threat.
The impact is that few teams will relish facing these seasoned giant-killers who know how to punch up against the odds.
Flops at the AFCON 2023
In football, a flop is a team or player that massively underperforms despite being a pre-tournament favorite.
Flops disappoint by crashing out early, failing to harness their potential due to poor tactics, underwhelming displays, and buckling under pressure despite expectations of a deep run.
Performance overview of the top disappointing teams
Egypt
As the 5th-ranked African team, Egypt was anticipated to improve on their group-stage exit in 2021.
But they slipped up again with Mo Salah strangely off-color and their previously tight defense unexpectedly porous.
This signals a further decline for the record seven-time champions.
Algeria
Heavily-tipped Algeria (ranked 4th) succumbed to tensions between manager Djamel Belmadi and key striker Baghdad Bounedjah.
Their shock elimination in the groups demonstrates how internal divides can derail talent-rich teams.
The Desert Foxes will need to restore harmony to resurrect their fortunes.
Tunisia
Tunisia (3rd) was similarly hampered by off-field issues around coach Mondher Kebaier’s future and a failure to find a cutting edge up front.
Their early departure points to transitional troubles for the Carthage Eagles.
Ghana
And Ghana’s poor display continued a steep decline for the four-time champions.
Going out at the group stage for the second straight tournament suggests deep systemic failings for the Black Stars to address.
The impact is a crisis of confidence in Ghanaian football.
Conclusion
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has lived up to its reputation for surprises, with giant-killing performances from dark horses like Equatorial Guinea, while favorites such as Egypt and Algeria flopped amidst internal issues.
The AFCON 2023 finale is between Nigeria and Ivory Coast on Sunday, February 11, 2024. Lessons are clear – tactical strength and determination can elevate underdogs to new heights, while no team is immune from underperforming if not focused.
These learnings shape the future of African football as more teams realize continental success demands much more than reputation or talent alone.
The final presents a chance for a new champion to emerge or the Ivory Coast to regain their crown after early struggles.
