Magic moments from the second week of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

Tournaments are not won in the second week of group games at a major tournament but they can certainly be lost, as some AFCON favourites found out, while Bafana Bafana finally produced a performance to spring some hope.

Emilio Nsue hat-trick 

Equatorial Guinea have been one of the great surprise packages of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations so far and showed their draw against Nigeria in the opening week of action was no fluke by going on to hammer Guinea-Bissau 4-2.

Things would have looked even worse for Guinea-Bissau if Ze Turbo hadn't scored in the third minute of stoppage time to give a bit of respectability to the scoreline.

And Equatorial Guinea largely have the form of captain and winger Emilio Nsue, who bagged a hat-trick - the first at AFCON in 15 years - to shoot himself to the top of the race for the Golden Boot.

Bafana Bafana get back on track  

There has been a lot of talk about South Africa's track record at AFCON, with Cameroon legend Samuel Eto'o even weighing in on the subject before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations kicked off.

Things could not have got off to a worse start for Bafana Bafana either as they were soundly beaten 2-0 by Mali in their opening game.

However, a much-improved performance against neighbours Namibia, who won their opening match against Tunisia, saw them run out convincing 4-0 winners thanks to goals from Percy Tau, Temba Zwane (twice), and Thapelo Maseko.

Critics will be quick to point out it was a match they should be winning anyway, but it is also an important confidence booster ahead of their final group game against Tunisia, who have been very poor at the tournament so far but are always a dangerous team.

Katompa Mvumpa spoils Morocco's party

Morocco have experienced almost the exact opposite fortune to Bafana Bafana at AFCON so far.

After a comprehensive 3-0 win over Tanzania in their opening match, Morocco were a goal up against DR Congo and seemingly cruising to their second victory and a place in the round of 16.

However, they came to regret the wasted chances in that game as Silas Katompa Mvumpa struck a devastating blow for DR Congo in the 76th minute that Morocco were not able to bounce back from.

Now they face a tricky encounter against Zambia to close out the group - and while they are still favourites to qualify, results at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations have already shown nothing is guaranteed.

Nigeria spoil hosts’ party 

While tournament hosts Ivory Coast certainly would not have looked at their group match expecting to win, they went into the game with far more confidence after beating Guinea-Bissau in their opening game while the Super Eagles only barely managed a draw with Equatorial Guinea.

They were in for a big shock as Nigeria defended resolutely and snuck a goal through in the 55th minute when William Troost-Ekong converted from the penalty spot.

The result changed the landscape of Group A entirely and left the Ivory Coast with a tricky challenge against in-form Equatorial Guinea to round out the group, a challenge that they would ultimately fail.

Cape Verde go marching on

Along with Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde have been the talk of the town at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and for good reason.

They have been the in-form team at the tournament and, at times, have honestly looked unbeatable. They shocked Ghana in the opening round and followed that up with a convincing 3-0 win over Mozambique to prove it was no fluke.

If this team can keep up their confidence and the feel-good factor coursing through their camp, there is no telling how far they can go.

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