The first ever Nations Cup round of 16 is behind us, and it didn’t disappoint
There were complaints, when the Africa Cup of Nations was expanded to 24 teams, that it would dilute the quality and the intensity of a tournament that had been perfectly poised when it consisted if just 16 countries.
At times during this summer’s showpiece in Egypt, those concerns have been born out.
The group stage didn’t always ignite on the field, there were some teams who appeared out of their depth at the continental high table, while the continent’s true heavyweights largely qualified for the knockouts without too much drama.