Traditional Powers Reassert Dominance in Africa Cup of Nations

The knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations is setting up a clash of titans. Host nation Morocco and Cameroon have advanced. They could soon be joined by other traditional powers like Nigeria and Egypt. For over ten years, African football became more balanced. More teams could challenge the continent's elite and reach the later tournament stages. However, a shift may be happening. Morocco's historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-final broke a barrier for African teams. Now, in the Cup of Nations they are hosting, the old order is returning. The tournament has had no major surprises so far. With the quarter-finals approaching, this year may feature the strongest lineup of elite teams in the competition's history.