AFCON 2023 Power Ranking: Nigeria, Eq Guinea, South Africa soar, Mozambique plummet

After the second round of matches, a ranking of the standout nations so far at AFCON 2023 in the Ivory Coast

1. Senegal

• Previous ranking: #1 
• Result: 3-1 v Cameroon 
• Next game: v Guinea

Aliou Cisse’s men are one of only two sides with a perfect record so far. This win over the Indomitable Lions was a lot tighter than the scoreline suggests, but that was down to Senegal letting the game drift, so assured were they of their own superiority. The moment Cameroon scored and looked vaguely threatening, the reigning champions went up the other end and scored. They look ready, they look sharp.

2. Cape Verde

• Previous ranking: #3 
• Result: 3-0 v Mozambique 
• Next game: v Egypt

Having beaten Ghana by fashioning high-quality shots, the Blue Sharks dispatched Mozambique with a pair of absolute belters from range. It was a display of clinicality and verve from Bubista’s men, who are swiftly ascending to the status of neutrals’ favourites. To secure, not just qualification, but top spot in a group featuring Egypt and Ghana with a game to spare is nothing to be sniffed at.

3. Morocco

• Previous ranking: #2 
• Result: 1-1 v DR Congo 
• Next game: v Zambia

There was something concerning about how Morocco faded in the heat and humidity of San Pedro. The good news is that it was the last 2pm kick-off of the tournament, however, although a potential lack of strength in depth also emerged as a subplot. Still, there were enough glimpses of sheer quality to suggest the Atlas Lions will be a major factor, especially if that right flank continues to purr.

4. Equatorial Guinea

• Previous ranking: #14 
• Result: 4-2 v Guinea-Bissau 
• Next game: v Ivory Coast

A massive jump here, but a deserved one. Equatorial Guinea were ruthless in their beatdown of Guinea-Bissau in Ebimpe. Emilio Nsue’s brilliantly taken hattrick captured headlines, and rightly so, but the real takeaway was that Juan Micha’s side continue to be better than simply the sum of their parts, and are capable of putting the hurting on if they sense even the slightest hint of weakness.

5. Mali

• Previous ranking: #6 
• Result: 1-1 v Tunisia 
• Next game: v Namibia

Having started by beating South Africa, it was crucial for the Eagles to not lose against Tunisia. They managed precisely that, and looked good doing so in spells. No one plays a beautiful match against Tunisia. For all their tactical quirkiness and their vulnerability down the flanks, Mali pose a threat when they go forward with their combinations in tight spaces, and have the look of a serious outfit.

6. Nigeria

• Previous ranking: #9 
• Result: 1-0 v Ivory Coast 
• Next game: v Guinea-Bissau

The Super Eagles were quite unfortunate to only get a draw on opening day, and set that right with a victory over the host nation. It was a hard fought one, and not very pretty at times, but what is clear is that Jose Peseiro is intent on playing a direct style. So far, it is working: with the calibre of Nigeria’s strikers, that should come as no surprise. Suddenly, things look a lot rosier in the camp of the three-time champions.

7. Guinea

• Previous ranking: #13 
• Result: 1-0 v Gambia 
• Next game: v Senegal

After playing much of their opening game with 10 men, the meeting with Gambia afforded Guinea a chance to properly take control of their destiny, and they did precisely that. The Syli Nationale were the better side, and impressively broke down a stubborn Gambia side. With Serhou Guirassy still to play a minute in the Ivory Coast, Kaba Diawara’s side have a few gears still to go, one would suspect.

8. Burkina Faso

• Previous ranking: #7 
• Result: 2-2 v Algeria 
• Next game: v Angola

Burkina Faso are unbeaten after two matches, but they have yet to show their best form. As is, they have gotten by on resilience again, but you have to give that to them. They are rugged and solid as they come, and they proved that against Algeria. Despite facing a barrage of pressure and a physical buffeting, they held strong, and came close to the win. If they get that attack clicking, another deep run is possible.

9. Angola

• Previous ranking: #16 
• Result: 3-2 v Mauritania 
• Next game: v Burkina Faso

Angola seemed a little rudderless in the first period of their opening game against Algeria, but have gone from strength to strength since. Here, they were the better side, with Gelson Dala forcing Mauritania back and punishing Amir Abdou’s side in transition time and again. Palancas Negras certainly played their part in one of the matches of the tournament, and look in fine nick to progress to the knockouts.

10. South Africa

• Previous ranking: #19 
• Result: 4-0 v Namibia 
• Next game: v Tunisia

Another big jump here, but how else does one react to a 4-0 thumping. South Africa weathered a fast start, and then sliced Namibia open with almost ridiculous ease in the first half of their encounter. No love lost between COSAFA brethren, and clearly Bafana enjoy playing the Brave Warriors at AFCON. Considering how well they played in spells against Mali, they were probably due a big result like this.

11. Ivory Coast

• Previous ranking: #5 
• Result: 0-1 v Nigeria 
• Next game: v Equatorial Guinea

It was not just that the Elephants lost to Nigeria (that can happen to anyone); it was how it happened. Nigeria were stout in their resistance, but in truth they could have played 30 more minutes and not scored. That is how toothless Jean-Louis Gasset’s side were, and it puts them in a precarious must-win scenario against Equatorial Guinea. Their structural issues remain; what they would not give to have Sebastien Haller back now.

12. Namibia

• Previous ranking: #4 
• Result: 0-4 v South Africa 
• Next game: v Mali

It was difficult not to feel sorry for Namibia. Having started well and come close on a couple of occasions to opening the scoring, the penalty concession completely upended things for them and, from then on, South Africa stomped all over them. If you are coach Collin Benjamin, you try to convince your team it was one of those days and refocus for Mali. The task gets no easier, however.

13. DR Congo

• Previous ranking: #8 
• Result: 1-1 v Morocco 
• Next game: v Tanzania

It was hugely impressive the way DR Congo altered the momentum of events in their meeting with Morocco. The fancied Atlas Lions looked in charge, but the Leopards stormed back, and were the better side after the first half hour. Credit to Sebastien Desabre, but DR Congo are still without a win, and although Tanzania have looked poor, a lot is riding on that final group match.

14. Algeria

• Previous ranking: #11 
• Result: 2-2 v Burkina Faso 
• Next game: v Mauritania

Whatever else, no one can fault Algeria for desire. There is a sense sometimes that they want it too much, however. It sometimes gets the better of them, and almost did again against the Stallions. As it happens, Baghdad Bounedjah is clutch: what else is new? A win over Mauritania will get them through, but there remain concerns over the selection: is Riyad Mahrez still a defensible starting pick in his current guise?

15. Egypt

• Previous ranking: #12 
• Result: 2-2 v Ghana 
• Next game: v Cape Verde

It was deeply admirable how Egypt rallied from the loss of talisman Mohamed Salah and played more expressively, seemingly freed from the obligation to find him with every other pass. Still though, they twice fell behind to a less-than-stellar Ghana side, and needed two errors to get back level. Sure, those errors were forced, but with qualification on the line against high-flying Cape Verde, Egypt are up against it.

16. Zambia

• Previous ranking: #15 
• Result: 1-1 v Tanzania 
• Next game: v Morocco

Let’s face it: the only reason Zambia are this high is because, despite being abysmal, they have somehow managed to avoid defeat again. Being outplayed in the first half by Tanzania and then going down to 10 men showed the worst of Chipolopolo, but they seemed to rally and play better a man down in the second half, with Patson Daka finally coming to the party. This is a deeply unimpressive side, with excellence in short supply.

17. Ghana

• Previous ranking: #21 
• Result: 2-2 v Egypt 
• Next game: v Mozambique

Was Ghana’s improvement entirely down to the involvement of their best player in Mohamed Kudus? Or was it only that on the basis of the low bar they themselves set against Cape Verde? Who knows? Whatever the case, they looked better against Egypt, and have only themselves to blame for not taking maximum points. Qualification hangs in the balance, but Mozambique is eminently winnable, so fingers crossed.

18. Tunisia

• Previous ranking: #22 
• Result: 1-1 v Mali 
• Next game: v South Africa

A bit more ambition this time around from the Carthage Eagles, who actually looked willing and capable of exploiting an opponent’s weakness for once. They competed well in midfield too, even though Mali still shaded the game on quality of chances. Their attitude to the draw – one of self-congratulation – was difficult to understand however: are they really that confident of getting the win they need against South Africa?

19. Cameroon

• Previous ranking: #17 
• Result: 1-3 v Senegal 
• Next game: v Gambia

Sure, Senegal are the best team on the continent and in the competition so far. But does that excuse how shabby Cameroon looked against them? Absolutely not. There is still precious little sophistication to what Rigobert Song’s side do with the ball, but when they did try it, it caused the Teranga Lions some issues late on. So why did they not have a go earlier? Better to die as men, no?

20. Mozambique

• Previous ranking: #10 
• Result: 0-3 v Cape Verde 
• Next game: v Ghana

If, on the basis of their draw against Egypt, Mozambique had any delusions about their place in the African football ladder, those were quickly dispelled by Cape Verde. This was a paddling of monumental proportions, one which puts the Mambas in the position of needing an upset in order to qualify. Does anyone like their odds against Ghana? Probably not, but hey, no one self-destructs quite like the Black Stars, so…

21. Tanzania

• Previous ranking: #24 
• Result: 1-1 v Zambia 
• Next game: v DR Congo

Their first-half performance against a hapless Zambia lifts them off the foot of the Power Ranking, but not very far on account of the horrid second half they played against 10 men. The Taifa Stars looked completely stumped by the challenge of pressing home their advantage, and allowed Chipolopolo back into the game. Minus marks as well for serving up arguably the worst game of the competition.

22. Mauritania

• Previous ranking: #18 
• Result: 2-3 v Angola 
• Next game: v Algeria

Tournament football comes at you fast. There was plenty of encouragement for Mauritania to take in defeat to Burkina Faso, but if they had designs on progress – or, at the very least, getting their first AFCON win – they needed to beat Angola. Aboubakary Koita’s brilliant brace ultimately came to nought, and just like that Mauritania are staring down the barrel. The heart positively bleeds for Amir Abdou’s men.

23. Gambia

• Previous ranking: #20 
• Result: 0-1 v Guinea 
• Next game: v Cameroon

Gambia have gotten in their own way with so much administrative shenanigans, they were facing an uphill task in Ivory Coast. They had good moments against Senegal, and did so again here but were distinctly second-best against Guinea. Cameroon are far from unbeatable, but it would need a big win and so it seems like the Scorpions are all out of runway at this point.

24. Guinea-Bissau

• Previous ranking: #23 
• Result: 2-4 v Equatorial Guinea 
• Next game: v Nigeria

Something happens to Guinea-Bissau at this tournament. You cannot claim otherwise. It is one thing to lose to the host nation, and a meeting with Equatorial Guinea also had them as the underdog. But to lose in such comprehensive fashion, shipping four goals in the process? That was truly tragic. They seem set to, as is their custom, exit AFCON with barely a whimper after posting some impressive results in qualifying.