African Nations Cup 2012

[culloty82]

Saw the thread in the Betting section - but when the tournament starts today (on Eurosport, if you have it), it's time to promote it to World.

Group A:
Equatorial Guinea
Libya
Senegal
Zambia

Despite being co-hosts, Equatorial Guinea have never qualified for a major tournament, have a FIFA ranking of 151, and are most famous for naturalising B-rate Brazilians, so won't make a major impact. Senegal have an exciting new squad, headlined by Demba Ba, and should easily top this group. Libya and Zambia were evenly matched in the qualifiers, and while the men from Tripoli axed Zayed from their final squad, the optimism from their political revolution could well edge them into the last eight.

Group B:
Ivory Coast/Cote d'Ivoire
Burkina Faso
Sudan
Angola

It's no or never for Drogba, the Toures and co, and with Nigeria, Cameroon and Egypt all AWOL, they look set to reach the final at least. Sudan will be the trickiest of the newcomers, their clubs doing well in African Champions League competitions, but I expect Angola to finish second here.

Group C:
Gabon
Morocco
Tunisia
Niger

Like the punter, I'm expecting the hosts to come good here, and with players such as Daniel Cousin and the Aubamyeng brothers, they could well top the group. Tunisia are the only recent champions to qualify, and while the title looks beyond them, their side is more consistent than that of their North African neighbours. Niger are pretty much the Finland of Africa, in terms of qualification, so will do well to get even a point.

Group D:
Ghana
Guinea
Mali
Botswana

Like Ivory Coast, Ghana are joint-favourites for the title and if they carry on their South African form, they should also reach the final. Mali too often flatter to deceive in this tournament, and as Guinea are regular quarter-finalists, I tip them to come second here.

So that leaves us with a likely last eight of:

Senegal v Angola
Ivory Coast v Libya
Gabon v Guinea
Ghana v Tunisia

followed by

Senegal v Ivory Coast
Gabon v Ghana

and sadly, I'll go for the unoriginal prediction of a Ghana victory over Ivory Coast in the final.

[Sullivinho]

I always enjoy watching this tournament. G'wan the Ivory Coast, the Ireland of Africa.

[culloty82]

And just to prove me totally wrong, Equatorial Guinea more than match their opponents, even snatching a late shock winner.

[theworm2345]

I always enjoy watching this tournament. G'wan the Ivory Coast, the Ireland of Africa.

Flag is the only similarity, Ivory Coast are actually one of the tournament favorites, far from Ireland's prognosticated standing at the upcoming Euros.

And just to prove me totally wrong, Equatorial Guinea more than match their opponents, even snatching a late shock winner.

Watched the first half, Equatorial Guinea by far the better side, wasn't sure about that disallowed goal either. Nice to see them get the win at home on their tournament debut, I think they'll struggle against Senegal and Zambia (who have just taken the lead). Last tournament Emmanuel Mbola of Zambia was the next big thing, went on trial at Arsenal and I think Spurs as well...didn't even make the squad this time around. Senegal could use Abdoulaye Faye at the back as they are a shambles right now.

It would be nice to see Zambia win as the Zambia Air Disaster of 1993 actually took place in Gabon and their manager noted it would be a great tribute. They're 2-0 up now.

[Sullivinho]

Flag is the only similarity, Ivory Coast are actually one of the tournament favorites, far from Ireland's prognosticated standing at the upcoming Euros.

Dammit, I was hoping no one would appraise that statement beyond the flag.

[culloty82]

Ivory Coast overcome Sudan 1-0, fairly drab match now between Angola and Burkina Faso.

[culloty82]

Cracking North African derby tonight, the Moroccans bossed the first half, but went behind to a looping sideways free-kick that wasn't defended properly. The Tunisians scored again on the break with 15 minutes left, before a suspiciously offside-looking strike left the final scoreline 2-1. Hard to see Morocco progressing, with a must-win tie against the co-hosts next up.

[citybone]

just in relation to the predictions above, i cant see Senegal finishing top of the group after loosing to Zambia. Also Gabon to beat Guinea does not sound accurate to me. Tunisia vs Morocco was a good game to watch but most weren't too interesting. I have a classmate in college from Guinea so ill be paying close attention to that game tonight

[culloty82]

That's the problem with all the first-time qualifiers - apart from last-night's game, Senegal-Zambia, Ivory Coast-Angola and Guinea-Mali, most of the real action won't get started until the quarter-finals.

[Dermotron]

Should be a straight forward game for Ghana this evening. Matches aren't won on paper but Botswana look very limited and have a lot home based players

[culloty82]

Ghana won handily, while Mali perhaps shocked Guinea. Mad goings on today - first torrential rain saw the 2-2 draw between Libya and Zambia delayed for an hour, and now Equatorial Guinea are within minutes of the last eight after taking the lead against Senegal!

[Sullivinho]

And Equatorial Guinea send the Senegalese packing! Mighty end to that game and a worthy winning goal.

[theworm2345]

I've always loved watching African football, really any team can beat any team any day (usually only if they play at home though).

Manucho seems to love this competition, always thought he was better than he showed during his time in England.

[Dermotron]

Anyone see the Ivory Coast a game? Are they playing decent football or just doing enough?

[citybone]

Mali were ranked slightly higher than Guinea!

[Sullivinho]

Anyone see the Ivory Coast a game? Are they playing decent football or just doing enough?

Just doing enough imo. In fairness, it's seen them through to the quarters but they've looked a bit restrained to me. Canny pacing from the champs-in-waiting I'd say.

[culloty82]

Yes, in other years, they've looked flash in the groups before crashing to Algeria last time, so an Italian-style slow start might suit them better. Game of the tournament to date has just ended - Gabon were losing 0-1 to Morocco with around 15 minutes left, Aubamyeng scored a belter, before Cousin put them ahead. A cheap penalty looked like spoiling the party in the 88th minute, but the home side scored an unbelievable free-kick, curling from the side of the penalty area into the top-left corner seven minutes into injury-time, so Gabon join Tunisia in the last eight.

[Sullivinho]

Yes, in other years, they've looked flash in the groups before crashing to Algeria last time, so an Italian-style slow start might suit them better. Game of the tournament to date has just ended - Gabon were losing 0-1 to Morocco with around 15 minutes left, Aubamyeng scored a belter, before Cousin put them ahead. A cheap penalty looked like spoiling the party in the 88th minute, but the home side scored an unbelievable free-kick, curling from the side of the penalty area into the top-left corner seven minutes into injury-time, so Gabon join Tunisia in the last eight.

I was gonna switch over to the Everton game but couldn't tear myself away from Agyemang and co. Great stuff.

[theworm2345]

Anyone see the Ivory Coast a game? Are they playing decent football or just doing enough?

Agree with Sullivinho, Burkina Faso definitely could have knicked a point yesterday, pretty comical own goal from their defender Bakary Kone for the second. Now the Burkinabe defender Bakary Kone is not to be confused with Ivory Coast's Bakari Kone, who scored for them at the World Cup in 2006.

I was gonna switch over to the Everton game but couldn't tear myself away from Agyemang and co. Great stuff.

I think you meant Aubameyang and were thinking of Ghana's Patrick Agyemang

[Sullivinho]

Farcical scenes caused by the heavy rain there during the week..



However that one had nothing to do with the water.

I think you meant Aubameyang and were thinking of Ghana's Patrick Agyemang

That I was! Squint your eyes and you'd swear it was Neymar himself.