AFCON 2021: Anchors and Pundits as icing on the cake
The 33rd African Cup of Nations has continued to progress in style, throwing up surprises and upsets.
First was the exit of four time Champions Ghana, ouster of defending Champions Algeria the crash of hot favorites Nigeria who made mincemeat of opponents in the group stages pocketing every point on the table but crashing out in the group of 16 in a manner considered cheap especially for three time champions in search of a fourth trophy.
A team which at the last edition finished in the third place with many hoping to see a step beyond what was achieved in Egypt. But like they say, football is like biscuit you never know from which angle it will break. Again the upsets are a confirmation that it is time to jettison the expression ‘minnows in football.
The efforts of debutants Comoros and Gambia speak for themselves.
But action on the pitch is not the only source of fun at the Nations cup. The cheers of the fans considered always to be the 12th player despite the pandemic palaver and the array of colours at the venues all add to tickle the fancy of soccer lover who have converged from all parts of the continent and beyond.
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Interestingly another area of fun is contribution of well selected Anchors and Pundits who have kept the fans at home engaged with their analysis, sense of humour, permutations and predictions even when such predictions sometimes hit the rocks to prove that they are not oracles after all.
Former Nigeria international Jay Jay Okocha, Zimbabwe international Benjani Mwaruwari, former Ghana international Asamoah Gyan , former Bafana Bafana midfielder Teko navigator Modise dubbed ‘The General during his playing days among others have brought their wealth of experience to serve as icing on the cake in analysis not forgetting anchors like Carol Shabalala, Mozez Praiz whose ‘Iyalaya anybody can be beaten’ submission on the night Super Eagles were set packing by Tunisia is still trending on social media.
It’s been fun all the way and more is expected as the dance continues.
Of course there will be disappointments as a result of defeats and jubilation as a result of victories but in all, the combination of football and professional analysis makes the occasion indeed unique.
Safe to say that now that the ‘pretenders have been separated from the contenders and the ‘boys separated from the men, it is time to expect tougher encounters as the quarterfinals begin Saturday with Gambia facing hosts Cameroon followed by Burkina Faso against Tunisia.
The players and the teams may be the main actors on stage but I tell you the input of these anchors and analysts has made the tournament a much watch especially for those with an eyes for details.