{"id":287351,"date":"2017-01-23T15:38:49","date_gmt":"2017-01-23T15:38:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=287351"},"modified":"2017-01-23T15:38:49","modified_gmt":"2017-01-23T15:38:49","slug":"afcon-2017-round-2-the-plot-thickens-as-tears-flow-for-the-hosts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2017\/01\/afcon-2017-round-2-the-plot-thickens-as-tears-flow-for-the-hosts\/","title":{"rendered":"AFCON 2017 round 2: The plot thickens as tears flow for the hosts"},"content":{"rendered":"
After two rounds of matches there is some clarity as to which teams have the most serious designs on the Afcon 2017 trophy. Here\u2019s what we have learnt.<\/p>\n
Champions on the brink<\/strong><\/p>\n Defending champions La Cote d\u2019ivoire have so far catnapped their way through their opening fixtures in group C at Afcon 2017; flickering signs of brilliance but never reaching the levels that the quality of their ensemble demands. If this is just a slow start, then they need to hit the ground running fast! They now face the real prospect of a shock first round exit.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The Ivorian predicament has more than a shade of familiarity to what befell Zambia in 2013. The then defending champions exited the tournament unbeaten- following three successive draws in a similar Group C. Back then it was the first time since Algeria in 1992 that the reigning champions had suffered a first round exit. This time it seems African football watchers may not have to wait another 21 years to witness this rare occurrence. Unless of course the elephants can rediscover their mojo.<\/p>\n Gabon\u2019s one-man charade exposed<\/strong><\/p>\n Big crowd at the Stade de l\u2019amitie were left deflated on Sunday night as the hosts tumbled out of Afcon 2017. It was only the third time this has happened in Afcon history and the first since 1994. President Ali Bongo must have wondered whether all the investment was worth such an ignominious early exit. Worse could follow if the panthers\u2019 elimination washes off the football anaesthetic that appears to have stabilised this otherwise politically divided country.<\/p>\n