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Lions : CAN Is The Goal (24.10.2005)
The 16 teams to take part in next year’s African Cup of Nations in Egypt are now fixed on their adversaries in the group stage. The verdict of the draws conducted last Thursday in an open tent on the plateau in the desert overlooking the Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt, was considered "favourable" to some teams and "difficult" to others. In all cases, it plunged the African football world into speculations and expectations as to the outcome of the tournament that runs from January 20th to February 10th, 2006.
Most people are of the opinion that Cameroon, which will play its group matches at Cairo’s Military Stadium, is among the countries that are "blessed" by the draws. Advocates of this hypothesis base their argument on the fact that the Lions, pooled in Group B, alongside Angola, Togo and DR Congo, are more experienced and might likely to grab one of the two available places for the knock out stage. But Group B might actually turn out to be the most difficult because of the unpredictability that reigns. The two World Cup first timers, Angola and Togo, would certainly want to show the world that they are set to represent Africa at the global stage. Beating a World Cup regular such as the Lions would be a great booster. DR Congo will also not be an easy ride for Cameroon. As the first black African nation to make it to a World Cup finals, the DRC will want to make a giant come back to the African scene. Worth noting is the fact that 1998 was the last time the Simbas impressed in the finals, finishing third and beating Cameroon along the way. Added to this is the fact that the Simbas are coached by Claude Leroy who knows Cameroon too well for having served as coach of the Lions from 1985 to 1988.
These challenges notwithstanding, it would be a determined Cameroon that will be in Egypt. The Lions are wounded. After the disappointment caused by the non-qualification of the team for a fifth World Cup tournament in succession, the only way the Lions can appease their fans is by grabbing the African Cup of Nations. But the challenge will be great. If Cameroon were to qualify for the quarter finals, the knock-out matches would
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not be easy as the trophy is highly coveted.
The first trouble will come from Group A based in Cairo. Egypt that has won the nations cup a record four times, including two of three previous Nations Cup tournaments they hosted, hopes to grab the trophy again in front of its fans. But the Pharaohs themselves are not sitting on gold as they will be playing two other African Champions and a World Cup finalist, Côte d’Ivoire. Côte d’Ivoire have proved Egypt`s nemesis in the recent past, having beaten them home and away in the recent joint eliminatories. Morocco will also seek to go one step above the runners-up they attained at the last African Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia.
Contrary to Group A, Group C, in Alexandria, has the easiest combination on paper. It is believed that the African champions, Tunisia, will easily secure a ticket for the second round. But Guinea, South Africa and Zambia can also prove to be tough rivals of the defending champions. Guinea, for example, beat Tunisia in World Cup qualifying in Conakry. Meanwhile, Group D has been considered a close-fought group. It is the proverbial "group of death". Another World Cup first timer, Ghana, will be in for a tough challenge when they face Nigeria and Senegal in Group D in Port Said.
Generally, next year’s nations cup will be highly contested tournament. Gone are the days of "underdogs" and "favourites" in African soccer; when book makers could sit and predict the outcome of matches. The recent joint eliminatorires of the 2006 African Cup of Nations and the World Cup have ushered in a new order. Such biased jargon should be dumped into the dustbin considering the emergence of teams hitherto considered small. The quartet of newcomers from Africa for next year’s World Cup finals in Germany, suggests a new football spirit has emerged with the supposed continental powerhouses being the first victims. It is therefore clear that the balance of power on the continent may be shifting. No team should therefore put on a superiority complex. The 2006 African Cup of Nations, like the joint eliminatories, might also reserve some surprises to the football world.
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