With three matches in AFCON and three in the Asian Cup, it was a busy day for international football, and Ligue 1 stars would prove decisive in both competitions.
Playing the first of three matches in the Asian Cup, Japan triumphed over Vietnam in a lively encounter. The Samurai Blue are one of the competition's favorites, and with an attack that includes a trio of Ligue 1 players in Takumi Minamino (AS Monaco), Junya Ito and Keito Nakamura (both Stade de Reims), it's easy to see why. Minamino scored a first-half brace and added an assist, while Nakamura was also on the scoresheet as Japan won their Group D match, 4-2.
A brace in his first @afcasiancup match - WHAT A START @takumina0116 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/SaRPTpwM1W
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) January 14, 2024
In the Africa Cup of nations, there were shocks aplenty, with things not always going the way of Ligue 1's representatives. Nigeria, led by Moses Simon and former LOSC Lille striker Victor Osimhen, were stunned early on by Equatorial Guinea. Osimhen would offer a response, but the Super Eagles failed to find a winner, leaving them third in Group A.
In Group B, Cape Verde recorded the surprise of the tournament, beating Ghana 2-1 thanks to a late goal. Former FC Metz winger Jairo Monteiro had opened the scoring Cape Verde, but a Ghana team loaded with Ligue 1 players battled back, with André Ayew making his record-tying eighth AFCON appearances, but the Black Stars had no response for Garry Rodrigues' late goal.
Finally, Egypt also needed a late goal for a result, despite having taken an early lead against Mozambique through FC Nantes' Mostafa Mohamed. A Mozambique side featuring former Ligue 1 players Reinildo Mandava and Mexer battled gamely and even took a 2-1 lead before a stoppage time penalty by Mohamed Salah allowed the Pharoahs to nick a point.
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