Algerian players lift coach Djamel Belmadi in celebration after winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Photo: Giuseppe CACACE / AFP
Afcon 2019: A-Z as Algeria hoist their coach and the trophy
The Africa Cup of Nations 2019 is done and dusted. Here’s a wrap from A to Z.
Algerian players lift coach Djamel Belmadi in celebration after winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Photo: Giuseppe CACACE / AFP
A
Riyad Mahrez-captained Algeria were crowned African champions a second time after a tournament in which many rival coaches picked them out from early on as the best of the 24 title challengers.
B
Benin stunned Morocco in the round of 16, winning 4-1 on penalties after playing most of extra time with 10 men following the red-carding of Khaled Adenon.
C
Defending champions Cameroon were eliminated by Nigeria in a second round match that was among the most exciting in the tournament and the loss cost coach Clarence Seedorf his job.
D
The Democratic Republic of Congo achieved the biggest win of the tournament by thrashing Zimbabwe 4-0 in Group A with Cedric Bakambu bagging a brace.
E
Mohamed Salah-inspired Egypt were shock last-16 casualties, conceding five minutes from time to lose 1-0 against South Africa, and coach Javier Aguirre was sacked almost immediately.
F
The new 24-team format — up from 16 in the previous tournament — did deliver excitement with the best four third-place qualifiers decided only after the last two group matches.
G
A run of six consecutive top-four finishes by Ghana came to an end as they lost a last-16 penalty shootout against Tunisia after Caleb Ekuban had his kick saved.
H
Near 40 celsius (104 fahrenheit) heat when some mid-afternoon matches kicked off was blamed for the often cagey, snail-pace football.
I
Nigerian Odion Ighalo completed a double by finishing as the leading scorer at the finals with five goals having topped the qualifying scoring chart with seven.
J
Playing in June and July for the first time instead of January and February meant hundreds of African stars avoided having to choose between their country and European club.
K
Back at the Cup of Nations after 15 years, Kenya had the satisfaction of defeating east African neighbours Tanzania in a thriller, but were outclassed by Algeria and Senegal.
L
Starting for the first time in the tournament, South African Thembinkosi Lorch scored the goal that shattered Egyptian dreams of a record-extending eighth title.
M
Pre-tournament outsiders Madagascar shocked Nigeria to top Group B, then won a penalty shootout against DR Congo before a jaded side fell to Tunisia in the quarter-finals.
N
Nigeria finished third for the seventh time to satisfy coach Gernot Rohr, but not some supporters who criticised the selections and tactics of the German.
O
There were four own goals in the 52 matches with Tunisians Rami Bedoui and Dylan Bronn, Namibian Itamunua Keimuine and Nigerian William Troost-Ekong the unfortunate quartet.
P
Regular-time penalties proved a problem for Senegal with Liverpool star Sadio Mane fluffing two before voluntarily relinquishing the role to Henri Saivet, who missed his lone spot-kick.
Q
The overall quality of the football at the showpiece of African football was often pedestrian with far fewer memorable matches than forgettable ones.
R
A run of winning every other Cup of Nations from 2012 ended for French coach Herve Renard when Benin stunned Morocco, whose squad had seemed among the strongest.
S
Sadio Mane-inspired Senegal reached a second final and once again experienced the bitterness of defeat having lost a penalty shootout against Cameroon 17 years ago.
T
Tunisia finished fourth despite winning only one of seven matches, a 3-0 last-eight drubbing of Madagascar. They drew their first four games and lost the last two.
It’s also for trophy. Which Algeria lifted on Friday.
U
Uganda did best of the east African qualifiers, finishing second behind Egypt in Group A before stretching Senegal, then they lost coach Sebastien Desabre to Egyptian club Pyramids.
V
VAR (Video Assistant Referee) made its Cup of Nations debut from the last-eight stage and was used mainly to judge handballs with the chief complaint being slow decision making.
W
The scorching weather, with 30-plus celsius (86 fahrenheit) temperatures even for night matches, was among the reasons given by the organisers for the many low attendances.
X
Many of the 24 teams in Egypt lacked players with the x factor as coaches emphasised teamwork and organisation over individual brilliance.
Y
The most costly yellow card of the tournament was shown to star Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly in the semi-final win over Tunisia as it barred him from the final.
Z
Zimbabwe captain and forward Knowledge Musona was guilty of the miss of the tournament, failing to score from in front of an open goal during a Group A draw with Uganda.
Additional reporting by AFP.
