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Home , Abdoulay Diaby, Alain Giresse, Andile Jali, Anele Ngcongca, Asamoah Gyan, Aymen Abdennour

2015 CUP OF NATIONS AFRICAN FOOT BALL Who will soar in the absence of the Super Eagles?

NA0115.indb 81 13/12/2014 08:32 Edited and compiled by Colin Udoh

Fears, tears and cheers

n previous years, club versus country disputes have Ebebiyín might be even more troubling. It is even tended to dominate the headlines in the run-up to more remote than , and does not seem to Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. The stories are have an airport nearby. The venue meanwhile can hold typically of European clubs, unhappy about losing just 5,000 spectators, a fraction of the 35,000 that the their African talent for two to three weeks in the national stadium in Bata can accommodate. middle of the , pulling out all the stops in a Teams hoping to win the AFCON title will have to I bid to hold on to their players. negotiate far more than just some transport problems. This time, however, the controversy centred on a much After all, although and surprisingly failed more serious issue: Ebola. Whether rightly or wrongly, the to qualify, there is no shortage of dangerous-looking designated hosts were so concerned that they teams in the competition. The embarrassment of talent requested a postponement, then withdrew outright when enjoyed by the likes of Côte d’Ivoire, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) turned will fill their opponents with fear, while so many of the down their request. teams once considered Africa’s minnows have grown in That is the reason , who had been stature and quality in recent years. ruled out of the qualification play-offs for fielding an More and more players who were born, raised and ineligible player, ended up with the hosting role. The trained in European academies are choosing to represent central African country does not seem particularly their African homelands, while more and more players worried about the possibilities of Ebola spreading, but who grew up on the continent are forging successful it still has to contend with its historical infrastructural careers in Africa and across the world. Furthermore, difficulties. with the level of domestic competition improving and In 2012, Equatorial Guinea struggled when they cohesion among players growing, the so-called “lesser co-hosted the tournament in and Bata, two of sides” are finding that their talent as a team can far their biggest cities. But for this edition, Mongomo and outweigh the influence of even the biggest individual Ebebiyín have been added, both of which could provide superstars. the organisers with a serious headache. In any case, there probably isn’t the same plethora of The Malabo Stadium, Mongomo is a small town deep in the jungle in eastern game-changing icons as in past tournaments, though one of Equatorial Equatorial Guinea, with a stadium that is barely expected that’s not to say AFCON 2015 won’t be all the more Guinea’s four venues to pass muster. A stadium inspection ahead of the draws entertaining, dramatic and unpredictable for it. for this edition of the in December hardly inspired confidence. Let the games begin! Africa Cup of Nations

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GROUP A EQUATORIAL GUINEA, , , REPUBLIC OF CONGO

EQUATORIAL GUINEA GABON REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Best Finish: Quarter-final, 2012. Best Finish: Quarter-finals, 1996, 2012. Best Finish: Champions, 1972.

If not for Morocco's late Gabon was one of four Not many people will withdrawal as hosts over fears countries, along with South remember that Congo's about Ebola, Equatorial Guinea Africa, and , Diables Rouges (“Red Devils”) would be nowhere near this who went through qualifying are past African champions, tournament. But now that they unbeaten, finishing top of their winning the title in 1972 at only are in as the new hosts, they will be hoping to group. This was especially noteworthy given that their second appearance in the competition. But repeat their heroics of three years ago when, they did so partly without the services of it has been mostly downhill since that moment buoyed by partisan home support, they made temperamental star striker Pierre-Emerick of glory, with the country qualifying only every the quarter-finals after beating Senegal and Aubameyang, who often was not made available other tournament. . by his club . The squad's That was an imbalance that needed ad- There is only so much the fans can do, showing without him demonstrated that they dressing and the national football association however, and on the field, Spanish coach Andoni are much more than a one-man team under picked Frenchman Claude Leroy to do so. The Goikoetxea will need his troops to go at full Portuguese coach , who has been in experienced campaigner set about overhauling throttle. the job less than a year. the squad, mixing players who ply their trade on In 2012, the Nzalang Nacional (“National When they were co-hosts with neighbour- the continent with those who play in Europe. Thunder”) were significantly helped by a con- ing Equatorial Guinea in 2012, Les Panthères Spirits were boosted when they stunned de- troversial policy whereby the government gave (“The Panthers”) got as far as the quarter-finals. fending champions Nigeria 3-2 away from home foreigner players national citizenship in order to On current form, they stand a great chance of in qualifying, laying the foundations for their appear for the team. It could well do the same equalling if not surpassing that record. heroic return to AFCON in 15 long years. this time round too. POSSIBLE LINE-UP: , Henri POSSIBLE LINE-UP: Chancel Massa, Fran- POSSIBLE LINE-UP: Felipe Ovono, Kily, Dios- Ndong, Johann Obiang, Randal Oto’o, Levy cis N’ganga, Arnold Motou, Dimitri Bissiki, dado Mbele, Jimmy Bermúdez, Sipo, Juvenal, Clement, , Ibrahim N’dong, André Sagesse Babélé, Césaire Gandzé, Prince Viera Ellong, César Rivas, Dio, Mauricio Mina, Poko; , Frédéric Bulot, Pierre- Oniangue, Boris Ngounga, Férébory Doré, Jônatas Obina. Emerick Aubameyang. , .

Burkina Faso’s Alain Traoré (l) playing for his club BURKINA FASO Lorient in a French League 1 game against Ajaccio

Best Finish: Runners-up, 2013.

Up until 1996, Burkina Faso had only made one appear- ance at the Finals, but it is testament to their growing quality that they have qualified on every occasion but two since then and came within 90 minutes of winning in 2013. Inspired by the effervescent and Aristide Bancé, Les Étalons (“The Stallions”) will be hoping to go one better this time round, but in reality, they may do well to get out of the group stage. Burkina Faso lost recently to both Congo and Gabon, while Alain Traoré, whose 3 goals helped propel them to the final in 2013, has been plagued by injury this season and may be lacking in form.

POSSIBLE LINE-UP: Germain Sanou, Bakary Koné, , Paul Koulibaly, Nar- cisse Bambara, Charles Kaboré, , Djakaridja Koné, Bertrand Traoré, Aristide Bancé, Jonathan Pitroipa.

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TUNISIA CAPE VERDE

Best Finish: Champions, 2004. Best Finish: Quarter-finals, 2013.

It will perhaps come as a Over the last four years, Cape surprise that in 16 appear- Verde, one of Africa’s smallest ances at the Africa Cup of nations, have made stunning Nations Finals, Tunisia have progress on the . only won the tournament Helped by the conscription of once. The Carthage Eagles will be trying to players from Europe, mostly from the Portu- address this shortcoming once again this year, guese league, the country qualified for their first and after failing to qualify for the 2014 World African Nations Cup in 2013 by shocking giants Cup, their impressive showing in AFCON Cameroon 3-2 on aggregate. Then, at the qualifying suggests they have a good chance. tournament proper, draws with hosts South Tunisia did not lose a single game and are Africa and Morocco were followed by a 2-1 win considered by many as one of the strongest over , taking them to the quarter-finals, teams in the tournament. where they lost despite outplaying Ghana. ’s has built a side The Tubarões Azuis (‘Blue Sharks’) also that is not only solid in defence, but has more came within a hair’s breadth of reaching the than a healthy dose of creative talent in the likes play-offs to get into the 2014 World Cup Finals of , and Wahbi but lost out on a technicality after fielding an Khazri. Furthermore, the skills of , ineligible player. This disappointment did not Issam Jemaa and up slow them down for long, however, and they front mean the Carthage Eagles have arguably comfortably qualified for AFCON 2015 with a Zambia’s (L) challenges for the ball the most balanced squad in the tournament. game to spare. They are certainly one to watch.

POSSIBLE LINE-UP POSSIBLE LINE-UP ZAMBIA , , Ali Maâloul, , Nivaldo, Fernando Varela, Jeffrey , , Mo- Fortes, Josimar Lima, Calú, , Nuno Best Finish: Champions, 2012. hamed Ali Yacoubi, Hocine Ragued, Youssef Rocha, Héldon, , . Msakni, Yassine Chikhaoui, Fakhreddine Ben If Zambia is to match their Youssef, Issam Jemâa. performance in 2012, when DRCONGO they emerged as surprise winners, the Chipolopolo Tunisia’s Fakhreddine Ben Youssef Best Finish: Champions, 1968, 1974. (“The Bullets”) will have to start better than they did in qualifying when The DRC, one of Africa’s most their first three games garnered just two points exciting sides in the 60s and and captain Chris Katongo was dropped from 70s, have fallen from glory. A the team. return to the golden days The are joined in the group by old foes Cape could yet be on the cards Verde, who bested them in qualifying, Tunisia, though as they boast a team with a cosmopoli- who coasted through qualifying without a loss, tan face led by the mercurial talent of Yannick and the DRC, who posted one of the results of Bolasie and the power of . qualifying with a 4-3 win against Côte d’Ivoire. If The Leopards squeaked into the tournament Zambia are to progress from the group, nothing as the best third-placed side and will have to less than a flying start will do. This will require justify their place among the continent’s best. In them to fix a slow defence and shaky midfield. doing this, they would do well to try and recap- ture the spirit and confidence that helped them POSSIBLE LINE-UP beat Côte d’Ivoire 4-3 in qualifying. Kennedy Mweene, Nyambe Mulenga, Em- manuel Mbola, Stoppila Sunzu, Christopher POSSIBLE LINE-UP Munthali, , , , Gabby Zakuani, Jean Kasu- Bruce Musakanya, , Emma- sula, , Chancel Mangulu, Cédric nuel Mayuka, Ronald Kampamba. Mongongu, Youssouf Mulumbu, Yannick Bola- sie, , , Junior Kalonji.

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GROUP C GHANA, ALGERIA, , SENEGAL

SOUTH AFRICA

Best Finish: Champions, 1996.

Since winning the title in 1996, Bafana Bafana (“Boys Boys”) have been more hype than substance, getting worse with each tournament. They finished second in 1998, third in 2000, reached the quarter-finals in 2000, and then failed to get out of the group stage in the next three edition. As if that was not bad enough, they did not qualify in 2010 and 2012 and only returned as hosts in 2013. But new coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba seems to have breathed a new lease of life into Bafana Bafana, and the team did not lose a single game in qualifying. Mashaba has put his faith in a young team and so far they have delivered. ADD CAPTION South Africa is still mourning the tragic death of goalkeeper in October 2014, Ghanaian winger plying his trade for English Premiership side Everton and will be hoping they can dedicate success at the tournament to his memory.

GHANA ALGERIA POSSIBLE LINE-UP Darren Keet, Coetzee, , Best Finish: Champions, 1963, 1965, Best Finish: Champions, 1990. , Sibusiso Khumalo, Dean 1978, 1982. Furman, Oupa Manyisa, , It is rare that Algeria are , Bongani Ndulula, . By the time AFCON 2015 kicks looked at as possible winners off, it will have been 33 years of the Africa Cup of Nations, so since Ghana last won the title, it is testimony to how this SENEGAL an embarrassing fact for one squad has come together in of Africa’s most gifted teams. the last few years that they can be considered BEST FINISH: Runners-up, 2002. Indeed, in recent years, it has not been glory but genuine contenders. Algeria’s turning point internal divisions that have characterised the came in 2010 when they edged past Egypt in a Although blessed with Black Stars’ reputation. This was particularly feisty play-off to reach the World Cup Finals. The attacking talent, Senegal have evident during the 2014 World Cup, when team has grown in stature since, and, along with not fulfilled their potential in Ghana’s campaign was blighted by a player Nigeria, who didn’t qualify for AFCON 2015, were the Africa Cup of Nations. strike, fisticuffs and the expulsion of two Africa’s best-performers at the 2014 World Cup. After missing the first two players, leading to a post-tournament inquiry. That success carried on in the AFCON quali- qualifiers, forward was recalled Boasting the likes of , André fiers as they achieved 15 out of a possible 18 by coach and has proved a useful Ayew, , Emmanuel Agyemang- points. Their only dropped points came from a re-addition. He forms part of a formidable three- Badu and rising star Christian Atsu, talent is loss against Mali in their final group game, when pronged strike force that includes West Ham’s the least of Ghana’s worries. The question is, qualification was already secured. Built around in-form and Stoke’s Mame Biram whether new coach can harness the talents of the BBC’s African Player of the Diouf. There is also Southampton’s tricky for- that potential. He will have little time to settle Year, , along with ward to call upon. But it is not only into that job in a containing and , Les Fennecs (“The Fennec in attack that the Lions of Teranga are strong – Senegal, South Africa and Algeria. Foxes”) should be odds-on to advance, even in their back line conceded just once in six games. this group of death. POSSIBLE LINE-UP POSSIBLE LINE-UP Brimah Razak, , Jonathan Men- POSSIBLE LINE-UP , Cheikhou Koyaté, Kara sah, , , Emmanuel Raïs M’Bolhi, , , Mbodj, , Cheikh M’Bengue, Agyemang-Badu, , Wakaso , Aïssa Mandi, , Stéphane Badji, Salif Sane, Sadio Mané, Mubarak, André Ayew, Asamoah Gyan, Medhi Lacen, , Sofiane Feg- Papakouli Diop, Papiss Cissé, Mame Biram Majeed Waris houli, Yacine Brahimi, Islam Slimani. Diouf.

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NA_FootPreview_0115 Publisher Proof Reader NA0115.indb 85 13/12/2014 08:32 Creation date 11/09/11 Editor Production Manager Modification date December 13, 2014 8:31 AM Art Director Advertising Manager Output date 12/13/14 Subeditor Picture Editor GROUP D CÔTE D’IVOIRE, MALI, CAMEROON, GUINEA

CÔTE D’IVOIRE Cameroon’s Stéphane Mbia in action for his club Sevilla FC. Below: Guinea’s Seydouba Soumah BEST FINISH: Champions, 1992.

As has been the case over the last decade, Côte d’Ivoire GUINEA travel to AFCON as one of the favourites for the title. BEST FINISH: Runners-up, 1976. However, given the retirement of captain , the ageing legs of Kolo With two games left to play, Touré, Siaka Tiéné and , and the Guinea looked out of the team’s habit of leaving fans disappointed, those running for a place at the expectations will be somewhat tempered. The Nations Cup. The Syli form of Les Eléphants (“The Elephants”) in Nationale (“National qualifying was also less than formidable. The Elephants”) travelled to Togo knowing that only squad may well have lost some of their fear a win would be enough to revive any hopes of factor, for instance, after losing at home to qualification. Fortunately for them, they got the DRCongo. win they needed, hammering their hosts 4-1 on Lowered expectations may prove to be a the back of a Seydouba Soumah hat-trick, and positive for the Ivorians, however, while they still completed the job a few days later with a 2-0 possess a frightening array of talent in the likes home win against Uganda. of captain Yaya Touré, midfielder Cheick Tioté, Guinea reached the quarter-finals in 2004, and forwards , 2006 and 2008 but have since faded as a and . CAMEROON force to be reckoned with, and they will need to continue the run of form that helped them POSSIBLE LINE-UP: , Serge BEST FINISH: Champions, 1984, 1988, scrape through qualifying if they are to have any Aurier, Siaka Tiéné, Kolo Touré, Ousmane 2000, 2002. hope of emerging from a very tough group. Viera, Serey Die, , Yaya Touré, Gervinho, Lacina Traoré, . Cameroon have endured a POSSIBLE LINE-UP: Naby Yattara, Fodé topsy-turvy few years with an Camara, Kamil Zayatte, Naby Keïta, Boubacar inner turmoil that has ranged Fofana, Ibrahima Conté, Kévin Constant, Sey- MALI from the football federation to douba Soumah, Alhassane Bangoura, Idrissa the government to the Sylla, Ismaël Bangoura. BEST FINISH: Runners-up, 1972. players. At one point, former star forward Samuel Eto’o reportedly brought his own meals Les Aigles (“The Eagles”) from home when at camp, believing the stormed to the final in their federation was trying to poison him. debut appearance at the The results reflected the unrest, with the Africa Cup of Nations in 1972, four-time champions failing to qualify for the losing 2-3 to the Republic of previous two editions of AFCON, but Cameroon Congo in the final, before failing to make it into seem to be climbing their way out of this self- the tournament for the next 22 years. In the last dug hole now and qualified in impressive style. couple of decades, however, Mali have Much credit must go to German Coach Volker developed a consistency and have now qualified Finke who has culled most of the team and for the fifth time in a row. rebuilt the Indomitable Lions from the ground Led by midfielder , who has up. With the likes of Eto’o, and Alex been around the block in his club career, the Song out of the picture, a new and exciting team current squad made heavy work of qualifying, is emerging under the leadership of Stéphane only just managing to stay ahead of Malawi in Mbia and Nicolas N’Koulou, and with goals from the table on the final day to get through. It is youngsters and Clinton hard to see them emerging from their group. N’Jie.

POSSIBLE LINE-UP: , Adama POSSIBLE LINE-UP: , Ambroise Tamboura, Fousseni Diawara, Idrissa Oyongo, , Nicolas N'Koulou, Coulibaly, , , Stéphane Mbia, , , , , Yacouba , Clinton N'Jie, Vincent Sylla, , Cheick Diabaté. Aboubakar, Eric Choupo-Moting.

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Six Players to Watch Senegal’s striker Diafra Sakho in action for his club, West Ham

Gervinho Jonathan Pitroipa Senegal Côte d’Ivoire Burkina Faso Diafra Sakho

After being a flop at Named the Player of the Senegal are hardly lacking Arsenal, Gervinho has Tournament at AFCON in the attacking rediscovered his 2013, Pitroipa has lost department, but one man electrifying pace and eye none of the verve that whose form may just for goal at Roma. Under saw him torment carry them all the way is the guidance of manager defenders, scoring six the 24-year-old forward , the 27-year- goals in qualifying. Quick Diafra Sakho. The West old forward has become a on the turn, skilled and Ham striker did not force to fear thanks to his skills. With mesmeric, Pitroipa is coming into his own as a feature in the qualifiers, but had hit 7 goals in 9 Didier Drogba now retired from international winger and will carry the weight of Les Etalons’ appearances for West Ham by December. If he football and Yaya Touré experiencing a dip in expectations on his shoulders. makes it to Equatorial Guinea, his clinical eye for form on last season, Gervinho will be all the goal could provide a serious headache for his more important for Les Eléphants. defensive opponents.

DRCongo André Ayew Algeria Ghana Yacine Brahimi

Crystal Palace's tricky When he was dropped Like his Algerian team, the winger could have from Ghana’s squad for Porto midfielder has flown represented or AFCON 2013 after a under the radar for much , but chose dispute with the country’s of his career. But after DRCongo in 2014. In football association, his being voted the BBC’s qualifying, he scored two quality was sorely African Player of the Year goals against Sierra Leone missed. His return to the in 2014, he will very much and inspired his team’s team for the 2014 World be in the spotlight. 4-3 victory against Côte d’Ivoire with three Cup, where he scored twice, further highlighted Deployed in a free role, playing in the hole, the assists. The 25-year-old Bolasie enjoys taking on his importance. The 24-year-old is quick, tricky young attacking midfielder scored 3 goals in players, and if he can link up well with forward and unpredictable. Asamoah Gyan, who qualifying, the highest in the team, and will be Trésor Mputu, their partnership will be top-scored for Ghana in the qualifiers, may well counted upon to deliver even more in Equatorial formidable. be the Black Star’s most prolific striker, but Guinea. Ayew will likely be creating those chances.

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Location Time Group A Equatorial Guinea v Congo 18:00 Saturday 17 January 2015 Gabon v Burkina Faso Estadio de Bata 21:00 Group B Zambia v DRCongo Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyín 18:00 Sunday 18 January 2015 Tunisia v Cape Verde Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyín 21:00 Group C Ghana v Senegal Estadio de Mongomo 18:00 Monday 19 January 2015 Algeria v South Africa Estadio de Mongomo 21:00 Group D Côte d'Ivoire v Guinea Nuevo 18:00 Tuesday 20 January 2015 Mali v Cameroon Nuevo Estadio de Malabo 21:00 Group A Burkina Faso v Equatorial Guinea Estadio de Bata 18:00 Wednesday 21 January 2015 Congo v Gabon Estadio de Bata 21:00 Group B Zambia v Tunisia Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyín 18:00 Thursday 22 January 2015 Cape Verde v DRCongo Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyín 21:00 Group C Ghana v Algeria Estadio de Mongomo 18:00 Friday 23 January 2015 South Africa v Senegal Estadio de Mongomo 21:00 Group D Côte d'Ivoire v Mali Nuevo Estadio de Malabo 18:00 Saturday 24 January 2015 Cameroon v Guinea Nuevo Estadio de Malabo 21:00 Group A Burkina Faso v Congo Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyín 20:00 Sunday 25 January 2015 Equatorial Guinea v Gabon Estadio de Bata 20:00 Group B Cape Verde v Zambia Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyín 20:00 Monday 26 January 2015 DRCongo v Tunisia Estadio de Bata 20:00 Group C Senegal v Algeria Nuevo Estadio de Malabo 20:00 Tuesday 27 January 2015 South Africa v Ghana Estadio de Mongomo 20:00 Group D Cameroon v Côte d’Ivoire Nuevo Estadio de Malabo 20:00 Wednesday 28 January 2015 Guinea v Mali Estadio de Mongomo 20:00 Saturday 31 January 2015 Group A Winner v Group B Runner up Estadio de Bata 18:00 Group B Winner v Group A Runner up Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyín 21:00 Sunday 01 February 2015 Group C Winner v Group D Runner up Estadio de Mongomo 18:00 Group D Winner v Group C Runner up Nuevo Estadio de Malabo 21:00 Wednesday 04 February 2015 Quarter-Final 1 Winner v Quarter-Final 4 Winner Estadio de Bata 21:00 Thursday 05 February 2015 Quarter-Final 2 Winner v Quarter-Final 3 Winner Nuevo Estadio de Malabo 21:00 Saturday 07 February 2015 Third Place Play-off Nuevo Estadio de Malabo 20:00 Sunday 08 February 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Final Estadio de Bata 21:00

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