Unpredictable and Exhilarating - Is AFCON the greatest Football tournament in Modern Football?

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Africa is a continent full of thrill, surprises and adventure. Football has often been a pulse in this colourful continent and in the world of international football, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has long been a platform where the continent's best teams battle for supremacy.

Traditionally dominated by football powerhouses like Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal and Cameroon, recent tournaments have seen a seismic shift. Smaller teams, often considered underdogs, are not just participating; they're making significant impacts, challenging the status quo, and rewriting the narrative of African football.

And the epitome of that shift in paradigm is vivid in the AFCON 2023. The tournament has seen crazy stories unfolding, as the so-called small nations have ousted the powerhouses of African football.

AFCON 2023 and its Story

Eight new Quarterfinalists

Tell you what, the eight quarterfinalists of the AFCON 2023 are completely different from the last edition in 2021. Even if it feels unbelievable, it is the fact. None of the eight teams who made it to the quarterfinals in the previous edition have made crossed the hurdle this year.

AFCON 2021 Quarterfinalists: Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Cameroon, Egypt, Morocco

AFCON 2023 Quarterfinalists: Nigeria, Angola, Cape Verde, South Africa, Mali, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Guinea

The Crazy Giant killings

Now coming to the tournament AFCOn 2023 itself. This edition has seen some fantastic results. South Africa, who are head and shoulders behind in African football, have eliminated World Cup 2022 semifinalists Morocco.

Another dream story of the tournament has been DR Congo. The country has less than 10 per cent people who receive electricity, went on to beat Mohamed Salah's mighty Egypt in the round of 16.

Riyad Mahrez's Algeria also had a shock exit from the tournament in the group stages. And who inflicted that? Algeria's neighbours to the South-West Mauritania got the result against the mighty Algerians. Mauritania, a team that is ranked 105 in FIFA rankings and is termed as a "desperately poor desert nation" went on and toppled their lavish neighbours.

These are the stories of AFCON 2023 so far. We may see more in the coming stages of the tournament. Five of the eight teams who are in the Last 8 have never won the AFCON in their history and we may have a new champion to celebrate this year.

The AFCON Impact on African Football

The rise of underdogs in the AFCON is having a profound impact on African football as a whole. It's promoting a more competitive landscape, where victories are no longer seen as a foregone conclusion based on past reputations. This unpredictability has increased the tournament's global appeal, attracting more fans and making the matches more exciting to watch.

Furthermore, it's inspiring young players across the continent, showing them that with hard work and determination, they too can compete on a big stage regardless of their country's size or footballing history. The underdog successes are a testament to the evolving nature of football in Africa, where the gap between the traditionally strong teams and the so-called minnows is narrowing.

Is AFCON 2024 the greatest tournament?

Yes, in terms of colour unpredictability and excitement, AFCON is one of the greatest tournaments to have. In terms of the quality of football, we are not quite sure, but there are some excellent footballers on display in these tournaments every year. The AFCON 2023 is not an anomaly, as the tournament in Africa often brings in unpredictability and the rise of minnows as they slay the Giants. So in terms of the advertisement of the game across the continent, that's a perfect fit.