This is what the Nations Cup is about and this is why I affirm in my statement of it being the second best football competition in the world.
Zimbabwe and Guinea-Bissau both proved that there will be no five or six goal swings, and even though Uganda lost by the solitary goal, the opening games have proven that there are no "heavyweights" in this tournament. The "big" teams will have to sweat blood if they want to pick up the wins.
There are no easy games on this continent. Which is what makes every game beautiful to watch. It may not have the kind of quality you see at Copa America, but the passion of the fans, the atmosphere and how hard the smaller nations play is what gives it that magic.
What you are seeing from the darker horses, is fearlessness and the unwillingness to sit back and soak up pressure. There is a refreshing positivity in the approach which has left the favorites off guard.
Algeria felt that the worst, as they have been tipped as one of the potential winners. I disagree, but I understand the thinking based on Riyad Mahrez's quality which he showed in his brace. But unless your name is Diego Maradona, you need more than one man to win a tournament.
And what about Guinea-Bissau? Debutants?
They matched the hosts step for step, and were not swayed by the occassion. Even with Aubamayeng in the firing line, they kept him quiet, apart from that momentary lapse in concentration that allowed him to poke in the opener.
But to have the calm and focus to get themselves back in the game and walk away with a deserved draw, is remarkable. Nothing about entering a major tournament for the first time against the host nation bothered them. In fact, it inpspired their performance.
Again, just like Zimbabwe, if they trust in what they can do on the ball, they can make it out of the group.
I look forward to seeing what the smaller nations can do, and hopefully one of them can make it all the way to the grand finale. This is the kind of tournament where none of the favorites have sparkled, which means it's anyone's game.
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