Since yesterday’s tragic events, the Togolose team have decided to quit the competition. I fully understand their decision. Souleymane Habuba, the spokesperson of the Confederation of African Football (CAN), said that the Togolese should have taken a plane instead of driving through the unstable Cabinda region by bus. In that case, why is Cabinda also a venue for some of the matches? The CAN doesn’t seem to have anticipated the risks here and now they are blaming the Togolese team for how they got to Angola! Which team will now replace Togo and play against Ghana on January 11?
Let’s now discuss more positive aspects and how I see this 27th Africa Cup of Nations. This year’s event has double importance. Not only will it designate the successor to the reigning African champion, Egypt, who won the trophy in Ghana 2 years go by defeating Cameroon 1 – 0 in the final, but it is also a live test for the 5 African teams qualified for the World Cup (Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Algeria, and Nigeria).
Aside from the usual favourites which for me are Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana , Egypt and Algeria, I see Mali playing the outsider role. The Malians came second to Ghana during the World Cup qualifying matches but they have some top players like FC Seville’s Frédéric Kanouté, Juventus’s Sissoko, and Barça’s Seydou Keita.
Some commentators say that the Africa Cup of Nations is often overrated and that its level is far under its European and South American counterparts. I would disagree with this opinion due to the following factors:
- The quality of the pitches is often appalling and I wonder how European teams would fare in the same circumstances?
- The matches are often played during the day when the temperature is in the 30° C and above.
- The competence of the referees is often under par and that is an understatement!
- The tactical knowledge of the teams has increased a lot in the past years with many African players being exposed to top European football clubs and foreign coaches bringing years of experience on board.
My personal vote goes to the Ivory Coast Elephants. Not only are they my preferred African team but I also think that coach Vahid Halilhodzic and players such as Drogba, Yaya Touré, Kolo Touré and Eboué have the right combination of defending and attacking skills to bring back the trophy which Ivory Coast won only once in 1992. I also think that the tournament is an ideal preparation for them before they tackle their “Group of Death” in June during the World Cup!
Maracanazos love the incomparable African football skills.
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