Analysis: Four teams’ wait for first AFCON victory continues

There are four teams, mostly from Southern Africa, that have never registered a win at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals. That wait continues for these unfortunate sides at the tournament underway in Morocco.

Mozambique

When Mozambique lost 1-0 to Ivory Coast on Wednesday, it meant an extension to their wait for a first-ever win at the AFCON finals.

Chiquinho Conde’s men are making their sixth appearance at the continental football showpiece, but getting a victory is very elusive. The Mozambicans have played 16 matches, losing 12 times and drawing four games.

Conde’s men showed lot of fight against the defending champions, hence more will be expected from them when taking on Gabon on Sunday. Cameroon are the other Group F opponents for Mozambique.

Botswana

Botswana, yet another team from Southern Africa, also does not know yet the feeling of registering a win at the continental finals. Coach Morena Ramoreboli‘s side has now qualified for the continental finals for the second time. Their maiden appearance came in 2013.

At the moment, Botswana have played four games, the latest being a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Senegal on Monday, making it 360 minutes without a win.

Benin

Ramoreboli and his men’s next assignment for the Group D is against Benin on Saturday with the Democratic Republic of the Congo being the other notable opposition in the pool.

Interestingly, Benin are also winless at the AFCON finals in all their 15 matches played. From the 15 games, the West Africans have lost nine and drawn five.

Tanzania At AFCON

Tanzania are the other team searching for an AFCON first maximum points. The East African side started the ongoing tournament with a brave 2-1 loss to Nigeria in a Group C match on Monday. The pool’s other members are Tunisia and Uganda.

A meeting with rivals Uganda on Saturday offers Miguel Gamondi’s outfit a chance for yet another attempt at victory.

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