AFCON day eight: Nightmare for the favourites, with reigning champions on the verge of elimination

We have a tournament no one could possibly predict just days before the kickoff. Day eight provided us with some sensational and unexpected outcomes. These major upsets could send a tournament's favourites and a reigning champions Algeria - with a one-way ticket back home.

And let's see who is to blame or compliment for that...

Heroes of the day: Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone

It would be unfair to praise a single player and his achievements when both of those teams stunned the entire world of football, let alone their Sunday's opponents.

Equatorial Guinea players celebrate after the final whistle (©Gallo images)

Firstly, the Leone Stars made it possible to dream after a shocking injury-time stalemate with the Elephants. A side packed with Kamaras - Mohamed, Musa, John and Kei in the starting XI - earned their second point and will meet other heroes (Equatorial Guinea) in a decisive, third-round tie.

What the latter did is maybe even more staggering. They topped the holding champion Algeria and have pulled off a probably most remarkable upset of the AFCON so far.

AFCON 2021: Champions disappoint again - Equatorial Guinea defeat Algeria to end their unbeaten streak

Loser of the day: Badra Ali Sangare

Despite Algeria's second winless game in a row, the notorious accolade goes to Ivory Coast keeper. What he did in that added time is as lousy as it gets. In order to prevent a late corner kick, he jumped for a ball and somehow managed to bring it back. Straight to opponents.

Apparently, he got injured during that stunt, but don't blame us for having serious doubts about it. Injury aside, you simply can't react like that and spoil it all for your teammates and the entire nation.

Goal of the day: Musa Kamara

One of 'only' four Kamaras in Sierra Leone's lineup, the above-mentioned Musa Kamara scored a marvellous equaliser to tie the game at one.

AFCON 2021: Sierra Leone hold off another giant! Laughable Sangare reaction gifts Leone Stars a point

Superb ball control, dribble and that - booom! A splendid goal that deserves to be praised for its fashion.