Archived News - 22nd Nov 2007

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African Nations Cup 2008: Group Analysis

Jake Brown
22nd November 2007

Ghana 2008

The draw has been made and the countdowns begun. As the dust settles Jake Brown analyses the groups for the 26th Cup of African Nations and looks forward to a fantastic festival of football in Ghana.

Whilst the timing of the tournament might cause controversy no one can deny that Africa’s premier showcase is one of the most exciting continental tournaments in the world. It is also the oldest- predating the European version by 2 years- the ANC has been thrilling the continent since 1957. This October, Africa’s attention turned to Accra where the draw for the 26th edition of the Nations Cup was held.

Group A: Ghana, Morocco, Guinea, Namibia - in Accra, Ghana

When hosts Ghana were drawn in Group A alongside Morocco, Guinea and Namibia, local fans were toasting their good fortune, but on closer inspection the draw doesn’t look so favourable. The Black Stars might have missed the other big name teams, but Morocco and Guinea have a core of seasoned European-based professionals and they’ll not make life easy for Michael Essien (Chelsea) and his teammates.

The tournament kicks off in Accra on January 20th when Ghana play Guinea in the newly renovated Ohene Djan Stadium. Syli Nationale are an explosive side and they’ll be looking to spoil the hosts party. In playmaker Pascal Feindouno (AS Saint-Etienne) they have a prodigious talent with a knack for scoring spectacular goals. He’s ably supported by Dianbobo Baldé (Celtic) at the back, Ismaël Boungara (Dynamo Kiev) up front, and plenty of verve and pace on the wings. Guinea has made it to the last 8 in the last two ANCs and they’ll be disappointed not to at least match that this time around.

Morocco is the other contender in Group A. The Atlas Lions have been Ghana’s bogey team in the past and with veteran Coach Henry Michel on the sidelines they’ll be tough to breakdown. The decisive contest of the group could well be the tactical battle between Ghanaian coach Claude Le  Roy and Michel, when Ghana meet Morocco in the final group game. Qualification is likely to hinge on this match and, with Ghana at home and superior on paper, the pressure will be on Le Roy to deliver.

Finally we have Namibia, widely predicted to be the whipping boys come January. Though not according to the President of the Namibian FA, who was in confident mood at the draw when he rated The Flames as one of the favourites for the tournament.

The top two from Group A have it tough in the knock-out phase where they’ll face Group B opposition. Their path will be blocked by either Ivory Coast, Mali, Benin or Nigeria and no-one will relish this difficult route to the semis. Expectations are high in Ghana, but the Black Stars will have to do it the hard way, if they are to lift their fifth African Nations title come February 10th.

Group B: Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Mali, Benin - in Sekondi, Ghana

In Group B, tournament favourites Nigeria and Ivory Coast, will be battling to take their place in the quarter finals against much-fancied Mali and underdogs Benin. Sekondi will play host to what pundits have labelled ‘the group of death’.

This all West African affair promises some of the most attractive ties of the group stages and, thanks to some common sense decision making by CAF, the support off the pitch promises to be as colourful as the football on it. Originally Group B was scheduled to be played in Northern Ghana, but has been switched to the south coast so Ivorian fans will be easily able to make the short trip across the border to cheer on Didier Drogba and the rest of The Elephants.

Day 2 of the tournament sees heavyweights Nigeria and Ivory Coast head-to-head in the Group B opener. In prospect it’s the tie of the group stage- Ivory Coast are many people’s favourites for the tournament and they wont face a more experienced team than Berti Vogts’ Super Eagles.

This group is by no means a two-horse race though. Mali overcame Togo in Lomé on the final day of qualification and with Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid), Freddie Kanouté and Seydou Keita (both Sevilla) lighting up La Liga this season, The Eagles are dark horses for the title. They’ll face the talismanic Drogba and the steely defence of the Ivorians in the final group game which could prove crucial and Malians will hope that their stars burn brightest when it’s needed most.

And before you discount Benin, be warned. The Squirrels made it through one of the toughest groups in qualification and as we went to press the Beninoise FA were negotiating with Phillipe Troussier about the coach’s position. The ‘White Witch Doctor’ has formidable experience in African football and if he takes charge you wouldn’t bet against him working some magic and winning Benin’s first ever points at an ANC. It could well be that Benin play a pivotal role in deciding the group.

Group C: Cameroon, Egypt, Sudan, Zambia - in Kumasi, Ghana

Happiest with the draw will have been Cameroon and reigning champions Egypt. Drawn together in the easiest group, alongside Sudan and Zambia, they’ll both be confident of reaching the knock-out stages.

Since their triumph in Egypt in ’06, The Pharoahs have looked less than convincing and only made it to the ANC after scraping through qualification in their final game. The 6 times Nations Cup champions will need to find another gear in Ghana or face losing their title.

Politics and uncertainty have dominated football in Cameroon of late. The managerial merry go round saw Ariee Han resign in February after just 6 months at the post. Amidst confusion and controversy Otto Pfitser has now filled the vacant position but only after the Cameroonian FA initially refused to endorse his appointment.

Pfitser will be well prepared to face Sudan. Before the Lions he was formerly with Sudanese club Al Merrikh who he took to the Confederation Cup Final this year. Al Merrikh’s success has been part of an upward trend in Sudanese football. Sudanese club teams have enjoyed success in the African club competitions in the last few years and the Nile Crocodiles finished above Tunisia to qualify for the ANC. These achievements will demand some recognition from the big fish of Group C.  Zambia meanwhile has a young side that hasn’t really been tested but also has nothing to lose.

The opening game of the group will see Cameroon and Egypt clash in Kumasi. Both sides will be looking for a good performance to set the tone for the tournament.

The Indomitable Lions will be thankful that star man Samuel Eto’o (Barcelona) will lead the line for them as they seek a 5th African Nations title. The young star was stuck in a club vs country tug-of-war, but finally told the Catalan giants that they’d have to do without him. Eto’o is a fantastic player to watch and neutrals will be hoping that he shows why both club and country find him irreplaceable.

Group D: Tunisia, Senegal, Angola, South Africa - in Tamale, Ghana

Tunisia, Senegal, Angola and South Africa will all be heading north to Tamale for the Group D showdown and none of these teams will be expecting to go home early. This, the most balanced of the groups, is anyone’s, and an in form striker could make all the difference amongst these goal shy opponents.

Two Premiership stars, El Hadji Diouff (Bolton Wanderers) and Benni McCarthy (Blackburn Rovers), have both flirted with international retirement in recent times. However, back in the fold their team mates will be looking to them for inspiration and goals. Tunisia too will be hoping that their star striker can roll back the years and deliver. Naturalised Brazilian star Francileudo dos Santos (Toulouse), will need to put his injuries behind him and rediscover the form that helped The Carthage Eagles to their first title in 2004. Angola meanwhile will want to build on their first ever World Cup qualification in ’06 and after an easy time in qualifying will relish the opportunity to cut their teeth against stronger opponents.

In 1967 a young Carlos Alberto Parreira took his first professional coaching job at the helm of the Black Stars and after a long and illustrious career he returns to Ghana with his latest team of would be world beaters. The World Cup-winning coach is now “polishing soccer diamonds” with Bafana Bafana where his wages are reported to be an astronomical US$253 000 a month. South African fans will see this as a good time to check in on Parreira’s progress with the 2010 World Cup on the horizon.

South African Prime Minister Thaobi Mbeki recently called for the national football team to change their nickname and if Parreira’s team flop in Ghana, the nickname won’t be the only thing that fans want changed.

Please forward all press releases and feature ideas to Jake Brown on jake@newafricansoccer.co.uk