Two years have passed and the African Cup of Nations has returned. This time the hosting duties are shared between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon for the twenty-eighth edition of the continental competition of CAF.
Group A
The co-hosts Equatorial Guinea are currently ranked 150 by FIFA and have issues with their football association. A substantial number of players, approximately one third, are players in Spain who claim grandparents and great-grandparents who come from the country. Politics about the players aside this is not a team that will be making a surprise visit to the competition’s final. Look for a third place due to the fact of playing for the home fans but this being the first ever African Cup of Nations appearance the expectations won’t be more than a respectable showing.
Libya is one of the best feel good stories of the African Cup of Nations. The team has players who served on the front lines during the revolution that rocked their country and tossed out the Gaddafi political regime. While on the road to qualification the Libyan team was unable to play any games at home due to the revolution going on. A 0-0 draw against Zambia was enough for Libya to get through as one of the second place teams. The fact that they are even here is an achievement in itself but nothing more should be expected from this side.
Senegal is making their twelfth appearance in the African Cup of Nations, having only a runners-up in 2002, the same year that they made it to the quarter finals of that year’s World Cup. This is the squad that most will be able to relate to with players who are on teams in France and England. One to point out is Demba Ba. He has had a brilliant start to his career at Newcastle United and will look to continue it with Senegal. Straight up this is the best of the group. Calling it, deep run into the knockout phase.
Zambia has been involved in the most African Cup of Nations tournaments without coming home champions, 15 times. This squad is true to its roots if you could say that about any squad. This former British Colony has few players that play outside of the African continent, which can make for a more harmonious side as there isn’t one player who is making mountains of money while everyone else is making peanuts. This is a side that consistently brings a performance. Second best in the group.
Group B
Angola hosted the last African Cup of Nations and were runners-up which says how much the hosting duties can do to the team. With that said this wont be a replication of the previous tournament. While most of the players are on teams that pay an even amount, no big earners, this team rode the enthusiasm of the fans to the final and that is gone. It will be a fight though for second with Burkina Faso. Though I think a group stage exit is on the cards.
Burkina Faso has been a consistent qualifier to the African Cup of Nations over the last two decades though they haven’t been the best at punching through into the knockout stages, which is a sign of a squad that looks to qualify for the World Cup. The squad has players plying their trade in all corners of the Eastern Hemisphere and the coming together has not happened to great success, only moderate. This side is fighting it out with Angola for second in the group.
Ivory Coast is one of the most talented sides in the African Cup of Nations. This means that failure is so much easier to come by. This roster list has multiple names of players who are considers some of the best in the world. The golden generation though seems to be falling away as most of these players are starting to age. One or two injuries could derail this team. They are group favorites, but depends on how they do in the three games to know if they are title contenders.
Sudan is a nation whose glory days, 1950s and 60s, and have not done much in recent years. Not a single member of the squad plays outside of Sudan so that will be an obstacle for the opposition to deal with. Though with their recent difficulties in the national side since their African Cup of Nations triumph in 1970 don’t expect anything from this side. They are possibly the worst side in this tournament.
Group C
Co-hosts Gabon is a team that hasn’t had much in the way of international success, much like the other co-hosts. This being their fourth overall tournament and third of the last four shows themselves as a nation that is showing progress. The more talented players are playing in France while the other members of the squad play at home. Gabon looks to be a third place team in their group but perhaps with the home fans they can progress to the knockout stage for the first time.
Morocco is out of North Africa where they have a history of producing quality sides. With the connection to France via their time as a colony many of their players are with French clubs. The question is whether Marouane Chamakh can find his scoring boots he lost when he transferred to Arsenal. This team can either flop of win it all. Most likely they will make it through to the knockout stage.
Niger is making their African Cup of Nations debut. Unlike Equatorial Guinea there are no rumors of a majority of the team choosing to switch international sides. But as with every group there is always the team picked to finish bottom. Here is the team for Group C.
Tunisia is another solid side from Northern Africa that has a domestic league strong enough to keep their top players. Those that feel they need to fly the coop go to France and play there. Tunisia has had a good history in the African Cup of Nations and until the most recent World Cup had qualified for the last three in a row. This is a side that has enough talent to make it to the next round but to progress further they will need someone to step up.
Group D
Botswana is the third nation to make their debut in this tournament and have literally come out of nowhere. Never before had the Zebras made much of an impact on the international scene but that just adds to their charm. Nearly all the players play in Botswana with those who don’t playing down south in South Africa. Another feel good story but don’t expect them to do much.
Ghana is considered one of the big international sides of Africa and their history states this. While not until recently had they been prominent at the World Cup Ghana has been a consistent performer at the African Cup of Nations with the most wins of any team in this year’s tournament, four. With players at top leagues throughout Europe there is talent everywhere. Ghana should be a favorite to win the tournament so if you are a betting person the safe bet is Ghana to win.
Guinea has a decent reputation of making it to the African Cup of Nations. In the last three tournaments they have proceeded to the quarterfinal every time. This side might have talent it is bereft of depth, but if there is any injury issue this team will collapse right quick. They will be fighting with Mali for second.
Mali has a primarily French based talent pool that has been able to get them to the African Cup of Nations but beyond that not much else. They haven’t progressed very far in the knockout stage for many years and have yet to make an appearance in the World Cup. Simple fact, Seydou Keita of Barcelona may be a good player and captain but he’ll help for Mali to proceed to the knockout round. The match against Guinea will be the decider of who gets second.
Brian Sanders
@sportingkcgft
