'Minnows' continue to serve up humble pie

THE refrain 'there are no more minnows in football' has been used way too many times by the so-called analysts; it has become slightly tiresome, clichéd almost.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO

After all, haven't we witnessed many a match whose outcome even a non-football fan would correctly predict — the gap in quality so huge that to term the particular encounter a contest would be a mockery of the word?

But for once, the phrase is appearing justified. At the current Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals hosted by Morocco, the competition has been so tight that the pundits are being served large helpings of humble pie.

Prior to yesterday's Matchday 3 encounters at the 35th edition of the biennial, continental showpiece, just three of the 24 countries had a perfect two-out-of-two record.

Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria were the only nations to have confirmed their spots in the knockout stages with a match to spare.