2010 Africa Nations Cup: Group Stage Review & Knockout Stage Preview.

21 matches played, 54 goals scored, the 27th edition of the 2010 ANC has been good thus far, although it looks like the record of 99 goals scored in 2008 will not be beaten. It is also a time to reflect for those that were attacked in Cabinda on the eve of the tournament, and that incident has cost the lives of 3 Togolese nationals and deprived that country of having 2 weeks of joy by watching their team lock horns with the continents finest teams. Speaking to an Angolan a while back, whilst he condemned the attack unreservedly, he also hoped that countries like Belgium-France-Germany-Switzerland amongst others would do something about the commanders of the rebel groups who are based in Europe. The idea, organization and orders were given by the FLEC commanders who are based in Europe, so with orders coming in from abroad, and intelligence not being shared, the Angolan forces were always in the dark. This happens as well in the DR Congo and Rwanda, where rebel top brass are based in Europe, hopefully this is illuminated into public exposure, not only the Angolan forces failed.

Back to the football, Group A that had the hosts Angola, saw them give a master class for 78 mins in how to start a tournament campaign,speeding to a 4 goal lead, that had the Angola First Lady breaking political protocols by celebrating vivaciously, only for Mali to score 4 goals, 3 of them in the last 6 mins of the game, elation turned to national inquisition. To continue, Malawi thumped World Cup Finalists Algeria 3-0 to make the group open. Angola's top marksman Flavio scored a vital goal to break Malawi resistance in the second game, whilst Mali elected to drop Kanoute and duly lost 1-0 to Algeria. The final day saw all teams with the possibility to qualify, Mali finally clicked, beating Malawi 3-1, Angola and Algeria playing for 70mins before fixing a mutually beneficial 0-0 to ensure dual qualification.

Group B was hit by the withdrawal of Togo, so we only saw 3 games, Cote d'Ivoire drawing with Burkina Faso 0-0, before thrashing Ghana 3-1, which put Ghana on the brink, and without skipper Essien, they edged Burkina Faso 1-0 to also qualify.

Group C saw Egypt live up to their tag of Pharaohs, majestically ruling the group, a neat come from behind win over Nigeria 3-1, controlled 2-0 win over Mozambique, and a cruise over Benin 2-0. Nigeria still with tactical problems, but with 8 strikers in their squad, they can always find some goals, and it proved with laborious wins over Benin and Mozambique 1-0 and 3-0. Mozambique and Benin have now played 21 games in this tournament, and only have 2 points to show, both drawing 2-2 in their encounter to make history.

Group D on paper looked easy, but was anything but. Gabon beating Cameroon 1-0, which wasn't a shock as Gabon were close to World Cup qualification, Zambia tying with 2004 champions Tunisia 1-1. Gabon them solidified their contention with a 0-0 draw with Tunisia whilst Zambia were 5 mins away from getting a draw with Cameroon, only to lose 3-2 to a late Idrissou header. The final day, Zambia got a well deserved 2-1 win over Gabon, whilst Tunisia twice took the lead over Cameroon, only for the Indomitable Lions to roar back and get a 2-2 that sealed their qualification. Due to the tie breaking laws of CAF, Zambia won the group.

Quarter Finals.

Angola vs Ghana. The host nation hope to have tournament top scorer thus far, Flavio back after he missed the Algeria game through injury, The Black Stars will play a team similar to the Burkina Faso game, although no Essien who will leave the squad this weekend. Staying in Luanda is key for the Black Antelopes with 45 000 fans backing them, they will be heavy favourites to emerge. Angola to win.

Zambia vs Nigeria. The Copper Bullets have been very vivacious and lacked no fear in all the games they have played with some very neat passing, especially in the final third. The Super Eagles have yet to find a definitive tactical scheme, but with so many strikers on the bench, they can always score. Amodu was tasked to reach the semi finals to keep his job, even if he wins, he will likely to be sacked. Nigeria to win.

Cote d'Ivoire vs Nigeria. The Elephants have played twice, the first game they lacked the killer instinct,the second, they came out with all guns blazing. They will be without right back Eboué after his red card against Ghana, but they have two snipers in Gervinho and Drogba up front. Algeria are fortunate to be here, they are a solid team, but I'm not sure they can overcome adversity, such if Cote d'ivoire go ahead if they can come back. Cote d'Ivoire to win.

Egypt vs Cameroon. The Pharaohs have been the most impressive side in the tournament thus far, front to back, the most consistent with 7 goals scored (the best) and 1 goal against (the best), Shehata's 4-1-4-1 scheme is very hard to contend with. Cameroon on the other hand have not been consistent, Le Guen's 4-3-3 hasn't found solutions to the problems they have such as someone to find the final pass, Song-Billong normally does that but is now played as a holding midfielder with Nguemo-Makoun further ahead of him. He has also juggled hi strikers, Idrissou-Webo-Emana, and putting Eto'o out wide, whilst he did hurt Tunisia from there, he was anonymous against Zambia and Gabon. It appears that Egypt should win, but no country has ever won 3 championships in a row, and only the great Ghana team from the 1960's was able to get into 4 consecutive finals. Cameroon will have to show their lion spirit now or never. Cameroon to win.

Top 10 moments so far of the 2010 ANC

1) Mali 4 goal fight back against Angola in the opening game to draw 4-4 after being 4-0 down after 78 mins. Extraordinary stuff.

2) Mozambique goal keeper Kapango nearly snapped his neck in two when he went for the spectacular save against Benin. He tried a somersault or something and it had a nearly dangerous, but very comical result.

3) Introduction of Benin star, Arnaud Seka. Standing at only 1m 50cm or 4ft 11, he is the smallest player at this tournament, and probably the smallest ever. He played twice, and got a lot of support from all fans, good to see football can include small players. And he has very good dribbling skills as well.

4) Seydou Keita goal from hell against Malawi, stunning freekick.

5) Angola and Algeria both taking advantage of the rules by preventing opponents from training. Malawi were first denied access to the training ground, two days before playing Angola, which they lost 2-0. Then Mali were denied access before playing Malawi on their final day. No surprise that Angola and Algeria both went through.

6) El Mohamady doing his impersonation of Ronaldinho 2002 with a cross-cum-shot arcing over the Benin keeper and into the net.

7) Malawi 3 - Algeria 0. The best team performance by a side all tournament. Tactics, skills, determination were all at 100% for The Flames as they put the ill prepared Algerians in their place.

8) Boubacar Barry, goal keeper of Cote d'Ivoire showing solidarity with Togo, by unveiling a message for each of his countries 3 goals in dedication to the Togo nation and team.

9) Mozambique have never ever won the ANC, in fact they have never won a match in their appearances, so their decsion to sack progressive coach Mart Noij "who could not fulfil his goal of taking the team to the final," shows some form of over expectation but also ambition.

10) The general skill level shown in the whole tournament. I hope someone makes a video compilation,because some of the feints, dribbles, nutmegs, side steps have been awesome to see.

2 Comments

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By JustFootball

23.01.2010 23:13

Wow. This is a fantastic roundup. Congrats :-)Agree with you re: Malawi's demolition of Algeria. Most comprehensive team performance I've seen in the tournament so far. Shame they couldn't handle the atmosphere in Luanda vs the hosts in the 2nd game, and crumbled vs Mali. But with Phiri in charge perhaps the future is bright for Malawi.

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