Nigeria: Africa Cup - 15 teams battle - Togo withdraws after attack

January 13th, 2010

 

 

Luanda (Angola) - The 27th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations began Saturday in Angola with Nigeria along with 14 other countries battling for the diadem. The other countries participating in the 53-year old tournament are the defending champions and six times winners, Egypt, four times winners Ghana Black Stars and Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, the host country and Angola.

Also ready to prove their worth on the African continent are Cote d'Ivoire, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Mozambique and Mali. Others are Algeria, Gabon, Zambia, Tunisia and Malawi.

These 15 countries were divided into four groups of four teams each with the first two teams in each group qualifying for the quarter-finals after the group stage. In group A based in Luanda are Angola, Mali, Malawi and World Cup qualifiers Algeria. The host and Algeria are in pole position to make it from this group but Mali has what it takes to surprise any of the teams in the group. Malawi in its second Nations Cup appearance is not likely to make it out of this group.

Group B termed the group of death because it has two tournament favourites in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana with Burkina Faso and Togo completing the list. Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana are expected to qualify from this group but Burkina Faso having missed the 2010 World Cup by the whiskers is capable of upsetting this group with Togo capable of becoming the group spoiler. Certanly, Cote d'Ivoire, 2006 finalists and with its abundant talents will qualify from this group with Ghana suspect because of injury worries. While the team captain, Stephen Appiah, John Mensah, John Paintsil and Laryea Kingston are out due to injuries, others have the full complement of their stars

Top of Group C is the defending champions Egypt, gunning for its seventh title and a possible tremble in a row and Nigeria Super Eagle eyeing a third twin. The others are Mozambique and Benin Republic. Certainly Egypt is sure of taking one of the second round tickets with Nigeria, Mozambique and Benin Republic having to fight for the other spot. Super Eagles chances depends greatly on the result of its group opening match against Egypt on Tuesday as it must at worst get a draw for it to retain the confidence needed to confront the other two teams.

Cameroon, Tunisia, Gabon and Zambia make up Group D. The group boasts of two teams considered favourites. They are Cameroon and Tunisia, capable of winning the title from this group and are better placed to make it to the next round. Though Gabon twice lost to Cameroon in qualifying, this is another tournament, Gabon can upset any of the teams in this group hence it should not be underrated.

Apart from the historical feat of becoming the first Portuguese speaking African country to host the tournament, Angola is set for the feast of African football with excellent hosting.

Major towns in the country are wearing new looks with billboards announcing the tournament, adorning the nook and crannies of all host cities.

Worthy of mention is the smooth accreditation procedure that has also announced Angola as being ready for the tournament.

In offices, restaurants and homes the Nations Cup has taken centre stage. In the media, politics and economics have been pushed to the back ground as the tournament reigns supreme, especially today's opening match between the Eagles of Mali and Angola.

But the big question is which of the 16 teams taking part will lift the trophy on January 31? The answer will be known after the final match but suffice to say that Cote d'Ivoire, 2006 finalist and 4-1 semi-final loser to Egypt in 2008 stands out among the pack with its array of stars. This country for a second consecutive tournament carries the tag of a favourite. This is mainly due to its array of stars that include Didier Drogba named BBC African Footballer of the Year on Friday, Kolo Toure, Salomon Kaloun, Yaya Toure and Emmanuel Ebue among others.

Drogba during the week says the arrogance and complacency of the 2008 squad must be forgotten. "We will treat every opponent with respect, humility and seriousness. There is no room for complacency like in Ghana. No match is won in advance," he said.

Ghana is also one of the countries with the tag of favourite. But with injury ruling out four of its players, how Michael Essien will muster the courage will be seen.

Egypt though will not have the services of four of its players, Mohamed Aboutrika, Mohamed Barakat and Mohamed Shawky and Zaki ruled out due to injury. Mido was dropped for no reason.

However Eagles of Nigeria, despite its not too impressive preparations has the capability to win the trophy for the third time with Cameroon though ruled out by its captain, Samuel Eto'o, has the capacity to win the title.

However, the tournament suffered a major blow on Saturday when Togo pulled out of the Nations Cup after an attack by gunmen on Friday that left three members of its contingent dead.The teams's driver, assistant coach and a journalist were confirmed dead on Saturday. Two players that were wounded during the attack have been flown out of the country for treatment.

 

source.Daily Independent (Nigeria) - January 11, 2010