ALL EYES ON AFRICA?

 Writer: Ebenezer Zor (ezee)

Africa will be the eye of the whole world as it prepares to stage the 28^th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) starting from January 21 to February 12, 2012 co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea at four stadia-  Libreville, Franceville both in Gabon whiles Bata and Malabo in Equatorial Guinea.

Though some of the stadia are being giving finishing touches, perhaps it might not have any bad omen on the tournament.

There will be pressure on the coaches to bring their technical brains on the table likewise the players to produce excellent results.

Surprisingly, the 2012 AFCON will be without some powerful Africa football power houses as; most successful Pharaohs of Egypt who has won seven titles, West Africa Super Eagles of Nigeria also claiming two trophies to their credit and Cameroon, with four titles since the commencement of the competition.

Due to the absence of these countries not forget South Africa; who then conquer Africa?

Will it be the new converts; Niger, Botswana, one of the co-host countries or the crème de la crème elephants of Cote D’ivoire, the Teranga lions of Senegal or the four times African champions, the Black Stars of Ghana.

Let us take a profile of the participating countries.

GROUP A.

Equatorial Guinea: Interim coach, Casto Nopo and Captain Javier Balboa of the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea would have a lot to show their denizens and the world at large as they attempt to give a good run for their money. Equatorial Guinea currently ranked 151 on the FIFA Coca Cola stands and 42 in Africa is making its first appearance in AFCON since its inception.

Libya: Libya ranked 14 in Africa and 63 on the FIFA rankings is making its third appearances in the AFCON after serving as a runner up in the 1982 when they suffered their biggest defeat against Egypt by losing 10-2. The head coach of the Mediterranean Knights is Marcos Paqueta whiles Samir Aboud is the captain of the side.

Senegal: The Teranga Lions have made eleven appearances since 1965. Senegal, sixth in Africa and 44 on the world rankings did occupy the second place in the 2000 AFCON. Not only that, it was also a quarter finalist at the 2002 World Cup. Amara Traroe is their head coach.

Zambia: The chipolopolo boys of Zambia will be making their fifteenth appearances in the AFCON 2012 come next year. Out of the fourteen showcases, Zambia’s best assessment was runners up in 1974 and 1994. However Coach Herve Renard is the technical handler of the Zambians. Zambia is currently occupying 19 in Africa and 79 slot on the FIFA rankings.

GROUP B

Angola: The name of their national team is Palancas Negras with Lito Vidigal doubling up as their coach. Angola 84 on the FIFA rankings and twentieth in Africa made its first appearance at the Germany 2006 World Cup and served as best quarter-finalist in the 2008 and 2012 AFCON. Angola will be making its sixth appearances in a roll.

Burkina Faso: The Les Estalon (stallions) after seven appearances (first in 1978) will have a taste of the AFCON summing up to eight appearances. The Stallions ranked 13 in Africa and 62 on FIFA rankings best result was manifested when they took the fourth place during Burkina 1998 AFCON. Paulo Duarte is their head coach.

Cote D’Ivoire: Chelsea’s striker and captain of the elephants, Didier Drogba will lead their charges to upset the applecart for the upcoming AFCON. The Ivorians have made two appearances at the World Cup; first in Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010. Aside that they have appeared 19 times in the AFCON (first in 1965) and winners of 1992 Confederation Cup. Francois Zahoui heads the technical bench. Gabon and Equatorial will mark their twentieth appearances. They are currently Africa’s number one and 16 on the FIFA rankings.

Sudan: The falcons jediane of Sudan will also be making their eight appearances at the AFCON 2012 (first in 1957) with its best result in 1970. Head coach, Mohamed Abadall and Captain Haithim Mustapha will have a lot to show the entire world. Sudan is being ranked 112 on the FIFA rankings and 27 in Africa.

GROUP C.

Gabon: The Panthers of Gabon made their first appearance in the year 1994. In all, it has made four appearances since the inception of the Africa Cup of Nations. Within these appearances, Gabon’s best result was reaching the quarter-finals of the 1996 South Africa competition. Coach Gernot Rohr would lead his outfits to chance for continental silver during their fifth appearances in a few weeks time. Gabon is ranked 17 in Africa and 77 on the World rankings.

Morocco: The 1976 AFCON winners, the Atlas Lions of Morocco will battle for the ultimate in their fourteen appearances come January where the tournament kicks off. Already, the Moroccans have made four appearances at the topflight FIFA World Cup. Morocco on the African standings is 11 and 60 on the FIFA rankings.

Niger: The senior national team of Niger, Mena,  ranked 98 in the world, 24 in Africa would under the sway of Coach Harouna Doula Gbade will also not live any stone unturned as they make their first ever appearance for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea showpiece.

Tunisia: The Carthage Eagles is the pseudonym of the Tunisian senior national team. The Tunis ranked seventh in Africa and 59 on world standings has made fourteen appearances and won the 1978 phase of the Africa Cup of nations. Meanwhile, it  has made four appearances in the FIFA World Cup. Would Coach Samir Trabelsi and Captain Aymen Mathouthi shock Africa?

GROUP D.

Ghana: The four times African supernova headed by Coach Goran Stevanovic, Captained by John Mensah will be in contention for their fifth Africa penultimate with some weeks ahead of the 28^th edition of AFCON. Ghana ranked 27 on the world rankings and second in Africa made its first appearance in 1963 equaling seventeenth participations in all. The senior national team, the Black Stars of Ghana is making their eighteenth appearance. The Black Stars participated in both 2006 and 2010 World Cup respectively.

Botswana: Aside Niger, Equatorial Guinea, the Zebras of Bostwana will participate in the AFCON for their first time in so many years. Botswana, during the Glo Awards in Accra, Ghana, was crowned as the best national team of the year. It means that Coach Stanley Tshosane and Captain Mompati Thuma would not rest till they get the ultimate. Bostwana is currently occupying 96 slots on the FIFA rankings and 23 positions in Africa.

Guinea: Would head coach Michel Dussuyer guide the National Elephants of Guinea to their first ever title after making nine appearances so far in the tournament since its introduction? Guinea is 18 in Africa and 79 on the FIFA rankings.

Guinea’s best result was the second place it booked at the 1976 edition.

Mali: The Eagles, as the nickname of the Malian senior national team under the auspices of Coach Alain Giresse and captained by Mahamadou Diarra after the country placing second in the 1972 phase and making sixth appearances so far, might change the terrain as they prepare for their seventh participation in grand style. Mali occupies the 67 slot on the FIFA standings and 15 positions in Africa.