Huge shocks, last-gasp heroics, an abundance of goals and multiple plot twists the like of which Hollywood scriptwriters might deem too fanciful – the group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) felt like it had it all.
Hosts Ivory Coast came perilously close to crashing out, unfancied sides comfortably won their groups and superstar players were largely overshadowed by lesser-known names who were seemingly intent on keeping the surprises coming.
Then there was the inevitable round of managerial departures, one of which was not even the consequence of elimination from the finals.
Football fans are in for a treat if the knockout stage, which begins on Saturday, keeps up the pace. In the meantime, BBC Sport Africa looks back on a brilliantly unpredictable opening 11 days on the way to determining who will become continental champions.
