What an amazing competition we’re having in this edition of Total energies Afcon 2023. All the highly rated teams in Africa have been sent packing from the competition.

O how are the mighty fallen, who would have thought that these five teams will not reach the last eight? Imagine Senegal with its arrays of stars and what about Morocco that got to the semi finals of the biggest football fiesta the FIFA world cup in Qatar 2022 been booted out of the competition by less fancied opposition in Bafana bafana of South Africa.

Is it the year of the underdogs once again? Just like when Zambia out of the blues won it some years back. However, some super heavy weights are still lurking around, like Nigeria, Cote voire the host nation and perhaps South Africa may still bring their experience to bear on the much less fancied teams still in the competition.

Super Eagles vs Palancas Negras

Syli Stars vs Leopards

Eagles (of Mali) vs Elephants

Blue Sharks vs Bafana Bafana

Are the teams on the scorecard starting from Friday.

Lucky Odili for Hood newspapers.