Egypt 2-2 Ghana, Mozambique 2-2 Egypt, Equatorial Guinea 4 – 2 Guinea Bissau, Ghana 1-2 Cape Verde, Cameroon 1-1 Guinea, Tunisia 0-1 Namibia.

Take your pick. The Africa Cup of Nations 2023 has been off to a blistering start; FIFA rankings have been thrown out of the window, and pedigree has been put to the test. 

The smaller nations are shaking traditions of African football and the continent is now witnessing a real football fest in Cote d’Ivoire. Senegal was bullish without being spectacular in their 3-0 win over Gambia. It was a show of might. Morocco’s ruthless 3-0 execution of Tanzania was not necessarily sensational but a reminder to the continent since their FIFA World Cup 2022 exploits in Qatar, that their football is now on a different plane. 

Morocco and Senegal; have so far justified why they are Africa’s highest-ranked teams. The displays however of Cape Verde, Guinea, Namibia, and Mozambique against traditional giants Egypt, Ghana, Cameroon, and Tunisia on match day one has lit up the tournament to the extent that every game in the group stage is now a must-watch.  

Focused and solid, Senegal looked impregnable. Morocco simply oozed quality, maturity, and experience. Cape Verde was stylish and brave in their surprise win over four-time champions Ghana while Namibia’s shock defeat of Tunisia was an upset of diabolic proportions. It was the first-ever win at the AFCON finals for the Southern African nation. Had Mozambique held on to their 2-1 lead over Egypt, the reverberations that would have been felt throughout Africa would have lasted for decades. It is not that the giants are now a declining force but rather, that the gap with the smaller football nations has reduced. Match day two has raised the stakes even higher. 

Fearful that their reputations could be torn apart in Cote d’Ivoire,  the big boys returned with venom. After surviving the Equatorial Guinea scare in their opening game, Nigeria had a complete makeover against fellow giants, Ivory Coast. The Super Eagles played with exuberance and pride on their way to a deserved 1-0 victory. Short of the quality that the Stephen Keshi and Jay Jay Okocha-led teams had, the William Troost-Ekong-led team thrived on teamwork to overcome the power of the hosts’ 12th player; the home crowd. Nigeria also showed that having the best player in Africa counts for something as Victor Osimhen; for the second successive game, decided the outcome with an assist for the winning penalty. It was converted by Captain Ekong. After Equatorial Guinea’s win over Guinea–Bissau, Group A has become complicated. Cote D’Ivoire may have started strongly with a 2-0 win over Ginea-Bissau but their qualification for the knockout stage now hangs in balance.

If Nigeria were convincing against Cote d’Ivoire, seven-time champions Egypt were back to their very best against four-time winners Ghana on Thursday. The game might have ended 2-2, but the Pharoah’s overall display both individually and as a team was probably the best at the tournament so far. Rui Vitoria’s team removed the shackles that held them against Mozambique and threw all their aces in the hat. It was vintage Egypt. Technical, Tactical. Playing with verve, determination, and passion. Their technical excellence on the ball was espoused in Omar Marmoush, Emam Ashour, Hamdy Fathy, Mostaf Fathy, Mahmoud Trezeguet, and Omar Kamal. Twice they fell behind to an invigorated Black Stars team whose Mohammed Kudus showed why he is the new Asamoah Gyan with a man-of-the-match display but each time, the Pharaohs responded resolutely. The North Africans had at times breathtaking moments of stylish football that left neutrals in awe. After captain Mohammed Salah’s forced withdrawal due to a muscle strain, they raised their level. 

If AFCON had fallen short of superstars in recent editions, Eintracht Frankfurt’s attacking left midfielder Marmoush and Al Ahlys’ Ashour could be the latest Egyptian editions. Ghana already has Kudus. If Egypt and Ghana both make it out of the group, it’s going to take something special to stop them. They both have individuals who can turn the tide of games with genial brilliance.  The other outstanding talents so far include Namibia’s Deon Hotto Kavendji, Guinea’s Aguibou Camara, Cote D‘Ivoire’s Oumar Diakite, and Nigeria’s Osimhen. Some indications match day two will unveil more stars as teams jostle for prime position. Morocco and Senegal may have kicked off the tournament in intimidating fashion but the usual suspects to tag along are getting into their groove. Everything about AFCON 2023 so far promises a memorable tournament. Don't blink.