The Miracle that transformed a country that was otherwise on the path to destruction can be directly linked to the impact of Sports helping to unite a people that had so many differences to resolve. The hosting and winning of the Nations Cup in 1996 by South Africa along with their triumph in the Rugby World in 1995 played a very active role in unifying the nation South Africa.
In 2013, football returns to the feet of Africa (as South Africa is known as) for another feast of breath taking football; the memories of South Africa's phenomenal hosting of the World Cup in 2010 remains fresh in all our minds and we sure cannot wait for hostilities to kick off on Saturday.
We take a quick look at the favorites, the outsiders, absentees and potentially the players to watch out for in this edition of Africa's Premier competition.
Favorites
As usual, the favorites for Africa's show piece tournament come mainly from the West Africa, time and time again West Africa is expected to dominate every AFCON tournament due to the numerous number of players it has plying its trade in Europe. Also, the West African region has be involved in the finals five times in the last 7 editions. We obviously cannot write off the North Africans, whose total domination of the club football landscape has continued for years and may still continue because of the structures they have in place. It is important to note that the Northern region have won the tournament more times than any other region (10 times), primarily due to Egypt dominance from the Fifties and over the last four tournaments; so the likes of Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria should be given the utmost attention..
Without a shadow of a doubt, the Ivory Coast (Cote D' Ivoire) are clear favorites; this provides that last chance for the golden generation of Elephants to finally plant their giant foot prints on the African football landscape. It is now or never for the Didier Drogba led Elephants; who haven't won the title since 1992; like most golden generations over the years, not many fulfilled their potentials with trophies.
A triumph for the Ivorians will mean a lot to Didier Drogba particularly and guarantee him legendary status in Abijan after writing himself into the hearts of Chelsea fans with the winning Penalty in the Champions League final.
In tournaments like this, the Host nation are also considered as favorites considering that the level of progress made by the Host team helps to maintain the level of interest in the tournament by the locals. South Africa may have been on consistent decline since they won their inaugural Nations Cup participation in 1996; but they cannot be written off as contenders as the home crowd will look to spur them on to victory. Also of great importance is Ghana; they are one team that really interest me; they have continued in the line of blending youth and experience; displaying their enviable production line of players. Its been quite an age for Ghana to be without an African championship especially taking into consideration the number of World Class players they have produced down the years. This is another chance for the Black Stars to clinch Africa's top prize and i make bold to say; Ghana will go all the way even though Andre Ayew will miss the competition.
As far as favorites go; the defending champions, Zambia have to be considered as well in the scheme of things. Victory in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea was final vindication for all the signs of potential that Zambia had shown from the moment they lost an entire team in 1993 via an Air crash. The Chipolopolo have kept virtually the same team with a few re-introductions like the return of Collins Mbesuma. You write Zambia off at your own peril; Herve Renard has drilled this team to be difficult to beat and they never know when they are defeated, they never lie down; they keep fighting. They may not possess the element of surprise anymore, but Zambia have earned their place among African's football elite.
In my humble opinion and i know i will get some stick for this; I consider the Super Eagles as one of the outsiders for AFCON13, I have my reasons for this, this is a team in transition, a project team if i may call it so; i have very little confidence in the team with 17 new players making the tournament for the first time with 6 plying their trade in the decaying local league. Team obviously lacks any identity whatsoever especially in the area of Tactics and approach. If the Super Eagles are able to soar in South Africa, it would be an inspiring triumph.
The likes of Cape Verde, Niger and Ethiopia may ruffle a feather or two; Ethiopia are past winners of this tournament, Cape Verde knocked out illustrious Cameroun and Niger appear once again looking to cause upsets. A lot of pundits are not giving the North Africans a chance; I believe they are the ones who can must likely throw a spanner to the works to disrupt whatever permutations may have be arrived at. They are very dangerous and have shown their ability in club football for many years and with the absence of Egypt; what more motivation do the likes of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco need to seize Africa's top Football Prize.
Absentees
Nigeria redeemed it self by not having the unwanted headache of not qualifying for the Nations Cup consecutively unlike its fellow Super powers in African football; Egypt and Cameroun. Egyptian football seems on its was back from the revolution that engulfed the whole country as in spite of all the upheavals Al- Ahly were crowned Champions of African in the CAF Chamnpions League, a feat achieved with out a proper domestic season in place;remarkable. For Cameroun; the likes of Eto'o; Song; Bassong etc will be missing, but the Central African country has to resolve all its internal wranglings and seek to return the once Indomitable Lions back to its rightful place. Senegal are another major absentee from the Nations Cup this year; they made me eat my words last time out; almost lost my head for stick out my neck for them. Senegal are the team with the most solid attacking quartet but failed to qualify in the hands of Cote D'Ivoire amidst crowd trouble, the Competition will miss Chelsea new Striker Demba Ba; if only they can get things together; they are a team to be wary of in future.
Players to Watch
Nosa Igiebor
Nosa will be appearing at his debut Cup of Nations in South Africa; he has had a good season for Real Betis thus far playing as an attacking midfielder. In my opinion, he is the player that can make Nigeria tick as long as the coaching crew do away with the notion that Mikel Obi can be a creative force in the Super Eagles and leave him to occupy his customary position in front of the back four. Nosa is quick, industrious and has a lethal shot from distance as shown against Venezuela in a recent friendly for the Super Eagles.
Lacina Traore
He's probably the least known of the Ivorian strike force; if you knew a Drogba when he was younger; this guy is even more lethal and domineering. Standing at 6 feet 8; he's the man to carry the goal scoring hopes of the Cote D' Ivoire of the future; he has had a good season so far for Russian mega rich club; Anzhi after impressing whilst with CFR Cluj and Kuban, he has a goal ratio of a goal in every two games for Anzhi this season and for Cote D'Ivoire he's two in two.
Sofiane Feghouli
Valencia's diminutive midfielder will be the man to light up the pitch for the Desert Warriors of Algeria. This season he has attracted the attention of a number of major European Clubs; whilst Valencia have struggled at times this season, Sofiane has excelled.
Samba Diakite
Samba Diakite has been a constant this season as QPR struggled for their dear lives in the EPL; he has kept his place with both managers and will surly be missed by the Rs. He's solid runs and physical play in the middle of the park will be missed; this will be his first Nations Cup and has only made 5 appearances for Mali.
My Verdict
For me i cannot look beyond Ghana, but then there's Cote D'Ivoire. If i were to stick my neck out; I would say Ghana would do it this time; remember i stuck my neck out for Senegal last time out, they got dumped out in the first round, I hope this doesn't happen again. We can sure expect an electric atmosphere especially with the sound of the Vuvuzela.
All in all; I am looking forward to enjoying the best of African football.
Apologies
We apologise for the long silence and our inability to serve you with our regular blog post and opinions on all topical issues, previews and reviews of the sport we all love, Football.
We wish all our esteemed followers, friends and well wishers the very best in 2013.
Happy New Year.
Adeyemi Adesanya
Follow @yemimanutd
Tactics IQ Limited
We appreciate your thoughts and comments on all our blog posts, please keep them coming….
Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/tacticsiq
Like the page on facebook: www.facebook.com/tacticsiqlimited
No comments:
Post a Comment