Well that was an impressive Ivory Coast performance; they were sharper, quicker and slicker than a pretty insipid Algeria, who never found a cutting edge to match their neat passing all tournament. Just as they did the last time they went into a Cup of Nations as champions, in 1992, they’ve gone out at the first hurdle. If I wanted to be boring and Eurocentric I could point out how West Ham, Manchester City, Milan and others can now welcome back their Algerian stars early, but that would be boring and Eurocentric so I won’t.
Ivory Coast, on the other hand, go through to the tie of the round in the last 16, against Egypt next Wednesday. You’d make them favourites on the evidence of the tournament so far. Equatorial Guinea will play the winners of Group F, which resolves itself later tonight. Sierra Leone go out, alas, having acquitted themselves well on their return to the finals.
And that’s it from us for now. Stay on the site for Arsenal v Liverpool later, and more AFCON action when the knockouts commence. Thanks for your company and comments. Bye.
