ACTUALITE |
07.02.2008
Indomitable Lions Versus Black Stars : Not for Cardiac Patients
It is now eighteen days since the 26th edition of the African Nations cup started. Twenty-eight matches have been played, eighty-six goals have been scored, while twelve teams have packed their bags home with different stories to tell their fans on what went wrong. In Senegal, it is the highest authority of the country that has set the ball rolling. After the premature exit of the Teranga Lions, the resignation of Polish trainer Henryk Kasperczak and the night club saga by Senegalese players, President Wade, has called for the holding of a national football forum to seek ways of bringing the ailing Senegalese soccer on the rail.
In Ghana focus for now is on the semi-final encounters pitting Ghana against Cameroon in Accra and Côte d’Ivoire vs Egypt in Kumasi today. Looking at the four teams, it is no surprise that host country Ghana is still in the race. With a support from the home crowd they have been doing everything to make the “Host and win” theory workable. The recent examples of Tunisia in 2004 and Egypt in 2006, have not only encouraged them to work hard especially after a torrent of complains from head coach Claude Leroy that his team is not being aided by referees to win matches as has been the case with other host nations. A complain highly publicized by the local print and audiovisual media which have avoided writing or talking about the Lions prowess. They instead spend time speculating on a possible West African finals pitting Ghana to Ivory Coast.
Talking about Côte d’Ivoire, their clean sheet performance has not been strange to any sports writer. The Elephants with a well compact squad, spear-headed in nearly all the compartments by experienced players, has for the past fifteen years, developed an incessant quest for the trophy. Their envy to romance the continental trophy has been further heightened by allegations made by Didier Drogba that he was unjustly robbed-off the 2007 African best player award.
The other major contender is Egypt. With a squad comprising mostly of locally-based players, the Pharaohs of Egypt have made their position clear and loud for every body to hear “Re-conquer the trophy for the sixth time.” With a rapid, physical and highly technical style of play, the current African champions are expected to go an extra mile in Kumasi today.
The greatest surprised among the four semi-finalists are the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. After a catastrophic debut against Egypt, the Lions re-awaked in their den recording victory after victory. Thanks to four victories they are now in the semi-finals waxing strong to meet the host country. History has it down that; the Lions have never lost a semi-final encounter. Further, they are reputed at beating host countries. All these factors the Black Stars are conscious of and are doing everything to avoid any tragedy in case of defeat. Through the State television and newspapers, the authorities have been advising supporters and spectators with heart and high blood pressure not to go to the stadium or watch the encounter.
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