Africa Cup of Nations last-eight preview: Favourites give way to upstart hopefuls

Ghana's forward Asamoah Gyan celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Ghana and Mali in Port-Gentil on January 21, 2017. Justin Tallis / AFP

The hosts, Gabon, are out, as are the holders, Ivory Coast, and a star-studded Algeria. As the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) enters the last-eight stage this weekend, a pair of the contenders, Senegal and Burkina Faso, harbour genuine hopes of putting a new name on the trophy.

All times are in UAE.

Burkina Faso v Tunisia: Saturday, 8pm

The Burkinabe fret over the fitness of Al Ain’s Jonathan Pitroipa, the winger struggling to regain fitness since a muscle strain forced his withdrawal early in the group-stage draw against Gabon.

But Burkina Faso have gained momentum without him, and topped their group thanks to a goal from Bertrand Traore, the Chelsea striker on loan at Ajax, in the 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau. The so-called “Stallions”, finalists in 2013 but never Afcon winners, are shaping up as dark horses.

Their task is to stymie a Tunisia who, buoyed by victory over Algeria and a four-goal thrashing of Zimbabwe, have moved impressively through the gears under the guidance of manager Henryk Kasperczak.

The Pole, 70, has won every colour of medal at Afcon — including a silver in charge of Tunisia 21 years ago — except gold. His main injury concern for Saturday surrounds goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi, who has only trained lightly.

Cameroon versus Senegal: Saturday, 11pm

Aliou Cisse, the manager of Senegal, would prefer retrospective glances at the most famous of Cameroon-Senegal matches to be banned before their clash on Saturday.

He was involved in that contest, the final of the 2002 Afcon in Bamako, Mali.

That day Cisse failed to convert the last penalty kick in the shoot out that settled the destiny of the trophy in Cameroon’s favour.

Some compensation followed for Cisse and his contemporaries, the highest achievers in Senegal’s football history going on to reach a World Cup quarter-final later that year.

Those “Lions” still cast a long shadow. Senegal have never reached the standards set by the squad of the early 2000s since.

The current squad have, though, set the highest standards at this tournament, and possess a depth, having fielded effectively a second XI in the 2-2 draw against Algeria that concluded their group phase.

The likes of Sadio Mane will return against a Cameroon side who have put some their pre-tournament problems — several players refused their call-ups — behind them.

DR Congo v Ghana: Sunday, 8pm

When Al Ahli’s Asamoah Gyan limped off the pitch during Ghana’s narrow defeat to Egypt on Wednesday, Ghana’s Afcon campaign turned gloomier. Gyan, Ghana’s leader of the line for the best part of a decade, has a groin problem and his availability, or otherwise, for Sunday’s quarter-final will have a bearing on morale.

Losing top spot in the group to the Egyptians also obliged Ghana to take on DR Congo in Oyem, where the quality of the playing surface has caused complaints.

Gyan will feel as frustrated as anybody if he misses out.

Five times a semi-finalist at Afcon, and his country’s all-time leading scorer in the tournament, he has two runners-up medals and a bronze medal in the competition but as yet no first prize.

Ghana would be forgiven for thinking that this should be their year, given that so many heavyweight teams have fallen before the last-eight stage, but they need vigilance, not least of Congo striker Junior Kabananga, the top scorer in the tournament with three goals.

Egypt v Morocco: Sunday 11pm

The renaissance continues. Egypt, with six Afcon trophies to their name, three of them this century, have been the grand absentees from the last tournaments.

But fears of rustiness or low self-esteem as they returned to a finals for the first time since 2012 can be set aside now. “We intend to go far,” Hector Cuper, the manager, said after the 1-0 win over Ghana that secured top place in Group D.

A couple of smart saves in that fixture from goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary means Cuper can rest assured that the injury to Ahmed El-Shenawy, first-choice with the gloves at the outset of the tournament, is not a grave setback.

The romantic storyline would have El-Hadary, 44 years old, picking up his fifth Afcon winners medal a week on Sunday.

Or at least that would be one stirring narrative. Herve Renard, Morocco’s manager, has another in mind.

He seeks a third Afcon triumph, with a third different employer, following his successes with Zambia and Ivory Coast.

Renard’s challenge is to find the way to goal against an Egypt side yet to concede.

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