BY SAB OSUJI

Former Nigeria international, Amaechi Otti, has exclusively spoken to Exclusivenews.com.ng on the 'shocking results' that have become the hallmark of the African Cup of Nations holding in Abidjan, capital of Ivory Coast.

Otti, who was part of the first U20 Flying Eagles squad that represented Nigeria at the 1983 FIFA U20 World Cup in Mexico, said the CIV 2024 AFCON is a clear testimony that a wind of 'power shift' in African Football is sweeping the continent.

The Belgium based former Green Eagles left-back further reveals that the results so far harvested in the group stage matches of Africa's most glamorous flagship Football showpiece 'clearly underlines the fact that there are no minnows in football any longer'.

Otti spoke on the backdrop of Monday Night's final matches of group A games in which top title favourites and tournament hosts, Elephants of Ivory Coast, were decimated 4-0 by pre tournament 'minnows' and presumed title 'outsiders' Equatorial Guinea, right in front of their countrymen and women.

"Who would have expected or predicted Equatorial Guinea producing that incredibly extraordinary performance and result?", Otti, a former Rangers International strongman in defence asked rhetorically.

"Who would have thought of Ivory Coast hosting the AFCON and getting eliminated in the group stage of the tournament by Equatorial Guinea?

"Who could have believed that,The Pharaohs of Egypt could sweat to hold Cape Verde to a 2-2 draw? Or Mozambique playing out a 2-2 draw with Black Stars of Ghana?

"Namibia running out 1-0 winners over Tunisia's Carthage Eagles could never have been predictable years back or Mali shocking Bafana Bafana of South Africa 2-0.

"These and other results, including more to come are clear testimonies that there's a significant wind of 'power shift' in the beautful game is blowing across the continent of Africa. It shows 'there're no more minnows again in the game.

"The hitherto 'unsong' teams are waxing stronger and developing fast while the hitherto presumed 'giants' appear to have either gone to sleep or pulled off the pedal. Yes, you can't be repeatedly doing same thing over and over again and expect a different result, no, it does follow.

"The young, they always say, shall grow. If a man grows, gets to a certain stage, he waits for other men coming up and I think this is what we're witnessing now. This is what's unfolding at the moment in the AFCON holding in Ivory Coast and I bet you more of such results are likely to manifest in the coming games, which goes to show that indeed, football is unpredictable".
The conclusion of Group A matches on Monday sees Equatorial Guinea top the group with seven (7) points, same as Nigeria who finished in second spot, thus, confirming the elimination of The Elephants of Ivory Coast and pre tournament title favourites from the tournament.