ACTUALITE |
21.10.2005
Cup of Nations - Group B preview
By Martin Davies
This group looks fascinating - two Sub-Saharan nations with World Cup pedigree, but not going to the finals this time, against two debutants heading to Germany 2006.
DR Congo, known as Zaire in 1974, became the first black African nation to make it to a World Cup finals, while Cameroon hold the African record for appearances at the mundial.
Angola and Togo, the two World Cup-bound sides, have never faced each other at a Cup of Nations finals.
But both will be very keen to ensure they do not leave the African party early, now that expectations have been raised back home.
When Cameroon play Angola, neutral fans will be hoping for a repeat of the six-goal thriller that enraptured fans at the 1996 African Cup of Nations.
It ended 3-3 in Durban, a result that resulted in both sides failing to make the quarter-finals.
As a Nigerian, Togo`s coach Stephen Keshi is not unaware of Cameroon`s pedigree at African level.
In three of the four titles the Indomitable Lions have won, Nigeria were the beaten finalists, with Keshi playing a role as captain or assistant coach of the national team.
However, Keshi might take inspiration from his Togolese players.
The Hawks beat Cameroon 1-0 during the group stages of the 2000 tournament and he will be hoping the feat can be repeated once more.
It was a result that put them level on points with the other teams in the group, but was not enough to see them to the knockout stages.
Since winning the tournament in 1974, DR Congo have struggled to remain within the African elite.
1998 was the last time they impressed in the finals, finishing third and beating Cameroon along the way.
But with Cameroon`s wounded Indomitable Lions determined to appease their fans for failing to qualify for the World Cup, one of the World Cup sides could fail to make it through to the knock-out stages.
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Hits: 1 | Source:BBC | |
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