AFCON 2017: Best photos from 28 January

Salima Mukansanga, the first woman to officiate an Africa Cup of Nations match, says female referees deserve their place.

The Super Eagles won all their three group games but came unstuck against Tunisia's Carthage Eagles in Garoua. What promised to be a long campaign was brought to an abrupt end at the first knockout stage.

At least eight fans dead after a stampede at the Yaounde Olembe Stadium in Cameroon before the host nation's round of 16 game in the Africa Cup of Nations against Comoros, the national broadcaster reports.

Africa's biggest football tournament is on in Cameroon and Rwanda's Salima Rhadia Mukansanga is the first woman to referee a match at the AFCON tournament. Salima took charge of the Zimbabwe vs Guinea game on January 21 and managed the men with grace and firmness.

As football fans reel over the deaths of at least eight people outside Olembe Stadium, questions have been raised as to how the tragedy unfolded. There had been concerns about poor preparation ahead of the tournament.

The Pharaohs of Egypt claimed the enormous scalp of the Ivory Coast as they won their last 16 clash on spot kicks 5-4 in Douala on Wednesday evening. Eric Bailly missed the crucial spot kick for the Elephants while star man, Mohamed Salah converted to send his team through. The second game was almost a carbon-copy with no goals scored over 120 minutes between Mali and Equatorial Guinea. But it was the Northern Thunder who won 6-5 on penalties after Mali's, Falaye Sacko had his effort saved.

The Pharaohs played a goalless draw with the Elephants of Ivory Coast in Douala but went on to win after a penalty shoot-out. The seven-time champions are still on course to stretch their record.

Every two years, football comes home... to Africa.This year, Afcom is hosted by Cameroon and, no doubt, there's plenty to criticise: dodgy calls by the ref, questionable Covid protocols and a deadly stampede that left eight dead.And yet football fans the world over are enthralled. Every day brings new twists: minnows have upset powerhouses, and stars who normally spend winter in the European leagues have shown up for their national sides. Today we asked what exactly it is that's got us riveted?

Every two years, football comes home... to Africa. This year, the Africa Cup of Nations is hosted by Cameroon and, no doubt, there's plenty to criticise: dodgy calls by the ref, questionable Covid-19 protocols and a deadly stampede that left eight dead. And yet, football fans the world over are enthralled. Every day brings new twists: minnows have upset powerhouses, and stars who normally spend winter in the European leagues have shown up for their national sides. So what exactly is it about AFCON that's got us riveted?

Eight teams are left standing in the Africa Cup of Nations after a round of 16 full of suspense, surprises and upsets but overshadowed by tragedy and more criticism for CAF. Selina Sykes is joined by Sports Editor Simon Harding and Eurosport journalist Ruben Slagter to discuss all the major talking points of the knockouts so far and what to expect in the quarter-finals.

There have been lots of memorable moments at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, most of it involving some of the so-called lesser countries. But do you really know where some of these self-styled smaller nations are situated in Africa?

Egypt came back from a Sofiane Boufal penalty to claim a 2-1 victory over Morocco in their quarter final match on Sunday. Mohamed Salah equalised for the Pharao's before setting up Trézéguet in extra time to knock out the Atlas Lions. In the other game, Senegal's Sadio Mané returned to set up Famara Diedhiou for their opener only for Equatorial Guinea to respond through Jannick Buyla. But Cheikhou Kouyaté & Ismaïla Sarr made sure of the 3-1 win for the Lions of Teranga.