African Cup Of Nations - 19th Jan 2008
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With just one day until kick off, Ghana is gripped by Nations Cup fever. Jake Brown reports from Accra.
You can’t escape it. The football has arrived. As the last of the teams fly into Ghana to prepare for the 28th edition of the African Cup of Nations the excitement in this football-mad country is reaching boiling point.
In the nation’s capital it seems every billboard in town is about the Cup. In Ghana’s chop bars and drinking spots, on TV and radio, people can talk of little else. The central streets are lined with the flags of participating countries and the street hawkers laden down with Nations Cup merchandise. Before a ball has been kicked Ghana is Nations Cup crazy.
The continents showpiece tournament is back in Ghana for the first time since 2000. Since then the Nations Cup has grown and grown and this edition is set to attract more attention than any before.
Over a million people are expected to travel to West Africa to watch the continents show piece tournament. As the tournament looms large, Accra is abuzz.
On Wednesday Ghana’s Black Stars touched down at Kotoka international airport in Accra. They returned from their training camp in Dubai to be greeted by 100s of devoted fans decked out in the nation’s colours of green, yellow, and red. The fans gave their players a raucous reception and set the tone for what promises to be one of the most colourful and competitive editions of the African Cup of Nations.
The anticipation is palpable but it hasn’t all been plain sailing in the run up to the kick off. Supporters have complained about a lack of tickets for some games, particularly those involving Ghana. Touts have bought many of the cheapest tickets (£2/4Cedis) for the opening match and are now selling them on at up to twelve times their face value. Meanwhile down at the media accreditation centre journalists have faced long queues and chaos as the computer systems went down on Friday.
On Sunday the tournament kicks off in Accra when Ghana plays Guinea, in the newly refurbished Ohene Djan Stadium. The nation expects. “We’ll be too strong for them. Three zero that is the score-line” says Accra resident Jerry Seamegbe. That confidence is echoed everywhere you go.
It’s been 30 long years since the Black Stars won the Cup of Nations and the country knows this is its best chance in a long time to lift the trophy. Ghana demands nothing less than a record equalling fifth title.
But if Ghana is to lift the trophy come February 10th it’ll be no mean feat. African football today boasts some of the world’s greatest talents and at least half of the nations competing will feel they have a good chance of taking the title. It promises to be a feast of football.
The teams are here, the fans are waiting, and the world’s media have arrived. As all eyes turn to Ghana, let us hope that the play on the pitch can live up to the colour and passion of the fans off it. One thing is for sure, Ghana is ready to put on one hell of a party.
The West African Front
The build up to this Cup of Nation’s has been a tough one for many of the participating nations due to the injuries that key players have sustained. The Black Stars, who are under tremendous pressure as a result of playing at home, have been very unlucky in losing their brilliant, inspirational captain Stephen Appiah to a long term injury that has seem him miss almost 7 months football. The Ivory Coast had been holding their collective breaths on captain Didier Drogba’s injury status, the striker having missed several weeks of league action following a knee operation. The World's most complete striker still looks short of fitness. Zambia will now be without their star frontman Collins Mbesuma, who has been sidelined by knee trouble. They will hope that some of there younger talents will be able to fill in. Egyptian forward Mido too has suffered lengthy injury trouble, and Egypt will be forced to look elsewhere for goals in this cup run.
Matches to watch
Ancient Rivalry
It was perhaps fate that Egypt and Sudan should be drawn together in the same group. The two nation have technically been rivals for over 5000 years and Sudan’s return to the Cup of Nation’s heralds the return of one of Africa’s most enticing fixtures. Sudan v Egypt provided some enthralling contests in the early years of the Cup of Nation’s. In 1959 when Egypt took the trophy at home, they beat Sudan 2-1 in the final. Then 11 years later Sudan gaining vengeance when they hosted the Cup of Nations, beating Egypt 2-1 in the semi final, before going on to win the cup. However Sudan have not been victorious against Egypt since the mid 70’s and many in the Sudanese footballing establishment see this as the perfect moment to end that run. This is one that must be watched.
Clash of the Southern Powers
Another intriguing contest in the offing during the first week of the Cup of Nations is that between The Bafana Bafana of South Africa and the Palancas Negras of Angola. These two countries have shared a somewhat tense political relationship over the last thirty years, and now are two of the major competing economic powers of Southern Africa. While Angolan football has reached new heights in recent time following their world cup appearance, South Africa could not have had a worse time of it. There will be immense pressure on South Africa to make a good start, while the Angolans will equally wish to put three points in the bank. The combination of past events, as well as the need for victory should make this an enthralling encounter.
West African Derby
Coming hot on the heels of Ghana and Guinea’s scintillating opening encounter, the Cup of Nation’s serves up one of west Africans biggest contests as two favourites, Nigeria and Ivory Coast go head to head in one of group B’s defining fixtures. Both teams are blessed with tremendous amounts of talent and have been hailed in equal measure as potential winners. Many of the best players in Europe’s clubs will be squaring up against each other, and with a win being essential in what is a very difficult group, this is a contest that cannot be missed. It is very likely to produce moments of truly outstanding quality.
Please forward all press releases and feature ideas to Jake Brown on jake@newafricansoccer.co.uk