The ongoing 2023 African Nations Cup in Ivory Coast has not been without surprises.

With the Quarterfinals ongoing, we look at the giants that failed to go past the group stages.

Ghana

The four-time champions were among the giants that failed to go through the group stages in the ongoing AFCON in Ivory Coast.

Going into the tournament, Ghana was one of the favorites to go through the group as the Black Stars hoped this was their time to lift the trophy, they last won in 1982.

However, the Ghanaians were shocked when they were beaten 2-1 by minnows, Cape Verde in the opening game of the group.

The Black Stars recovered in the second game of the group holding Egypt to a 2-2 draw and needed victory in their final group match against Mozambique to advance to the knockout round.

The team from Accra seemed to be on their way to the knockout stages when they took a 2-0 lead into the second half’s injury time.

The Ghanaians were however shocked when Mozambique scored two goals in the added time to force a 2 all draw.

The result meant Ghana failed to get out of the group stages for the second successive AFCON finals.

Algeria

It was a shock to everyone when the 2019 champions spectacularly crashed out of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

As if crashing out was not enough, the team was bottom of the table having collected only two points out of the possible nine.

It was also a shock that the two time African champions were sent packing in the group stage on the expense of Mauritania that beat Algeria in the final group match as the Almoravids recorded their first-ever AFCON win.

Tunisia

Another shocker was Tunisia being sent packing in the group stages of the biggest showpiece in Africa.

Just like fellow North African country, Algeria, the Eagles of Carthage failed to reach the round of 16 after they finished bottom of Group E.

Tunisia only collected two points out of the possible nine, having recorded two draws and one loss in the group stages.

Zambia

The 2012 champions were also shown the exit in the group stages of the ongoing AFCON finals in Ivory Coast after losing the final game of the group to Morocco.

Coming into the game, Zambia had recorded two points, after drawing with Tanzania and DR. Congo and they hoped to beat Africa’s highest ranked team to proceed to the knockout stages.

However, this was a tall order as Morocco went ahead to beat the Chipolopolo 1-0 to bury Zambia’s hopes of proceeding to the knockout stages.