ABIDJAN: From Ivory Coast’s remarkable resurrection to heavyweight exits and underdog successes, there may never have been a more unpredictable major international football tournament than the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations. The last 16 concluded on Tuesday with the continent’s top-ranked team, 2022 World Cup semifinalists Morocco, being dumped out by South Africa after Achraf Hakimi missed a crucial late penalty. “It is not the end of the world,” insisted defeated Morocco coach Walid Regragui, whose country will host the next Cup of Nations. All five of Africa’s representatives at the 2022 World Cup have already gone home. Three of the last eight are into the quarterfinals after winning a Cup of Nations knockout tie for the very first time.
