After a thrilling group stage filled with big surprises such as defending champions Algeria and giants Ghana both crashing out, the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 now heads into the knockout round.
Comoros have undoubtedly been one of the biggest stories of the tournament thus far as beat Ghana in the group stage to make it to the knockout round. But sadly, the giant-killers have been hit with a host of positive Covid cases that will leave them significantly shorthanded for their round-of-16 clash.
Similarly, Tunisia also have to contend with several Covid absentees, including inspirational captain Wahbi Khazri, for their round-of-16 tie.
Read on as SBOTOP lists down the latest news and updates ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 round of 16.
Comoros hit with Covid outbreak before Cameroon round-of-16 clash
Tournament debutants Comoros defied the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 odds when they beat Ghana to seal their place in the round of 16, while knocking the African giants out of the tournament.
However, the Comorians will be hard-pressed to produce another massive giant-killing in the round of 16 against Cameroon as they’ve been hit with a Covid outbreak that will see them without 12 players, as well as coach Amir Abdou.
Two of the 12 players include their backup goalkeepers, Moyadh Ousseini and Ali Ahamada, while first-choice keeper Salim Ben Boina is out injured. That means Comoros will likely have to play with an outfield player playing at goalkeeper.
“We try to deal with it the best we can,” Comoros general manager El Hadad Himidi explained.
“Without the coach, some major players and the two remaining goalkeepers, the situation is quite difficult.”
Shorthanded Comoros now will face a tough test in Cameroon, who are looking to become the first host nation to win the AFCON since 2006. The Indomitable Lions went through the group stage unbeaten with two wins and a draw. Star striker Vincent Aboubakar has been in fantastic form and has scored a tournament-leading five goals.
Tunisia lose captain, coach due to Covid for Nigeria match
Tunisia are in a similar situation to Comoros as they have also been hit hard by a Covid outbreak that will leave them without 12 players, including captain Wahbi Khazri, as well as head coach Mondher Kebaier for their round-of-16 clash with Nigeria.
The Carthage Eagles won just one of their three group games with two defeats, but they still went through as one of the four best third-placed teams.
Khazri made Africa Cup of Nations 2021 highlights by scoring two of the team’s four goals in the tournament, all of which were scored in their 4-0 win over Mauritania. The St-Etienne attacking midfielder is the team’s leading scorer with 24 goals in 67 international caps and will be a huge miss.
Tunisia will face off against Nigeria, who won Group D with a perfect record of three wins in three despite missing several of their top forwards in Emmanuel Dennis, Odion Ighalo, and Victor Osimhen.
Tunisia and Nigeria faced off in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-off, which Nigeria won 1-0 thanks to an early Ighalo goal.
Ghana fire coach Milovan Rajevac
It did not take long for Ghana’s shock group-stage departure to result in some serious repercussions. The Black Stars have fired head coach Milovan Rajevac just days after their early exit from the tournament.
The 68-year-old Rajevac, who led the Black Stars to a shock quarter-final run in the 2010 World Cup, returned for a second stint in September 2021. However, his second spell did not go well as they finished bottom of their AFCON group, which included Morocco, Gabon, and Comoros, with just one point.
Ghana are expected to replace Rajevac with an interim coach ahead of their two World Cup 2022 qualifying games and potentially the finals in November and December.
Rajevac had recently refused to resign despite his side’s rough showing in the tournament.
“I came to Ghana just three and a half months ago, don’t expect magic,” Rajevac said at the presser.
“I will stay and lead Ghana in the World Cup qualifiers in March. I believe we have a team that can become stronger and get to the World Cup.”
“My target was to qualify Ghana for the World Cup, this AFCON is my primary target. I am looking forward to qualifying Ghana for the World Cup in March.”
But even though the Ghana Football Association was reportedly hesitant to dismiss Rajevac due to his substantial severance fee, which was estimated to be a minimum of $270,000, they still decided to part ways with the Serb.
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