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Top Five African Nations Cup Contenders by Akbee(m): 11:27am On Dec 05, 2014 |
With the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations draw in Malabo, Africans now know exactly what lies ahead early next year when the 16 contestants converge for the continent’s biggest showpiece. Painfully, the Super Eagles will not be defending the trophy they won in South Africa after blowing away their chance in their last qualifier on home soil. As Stephen Keshi’s men continue to lick their wounds for not qualifying, Goal takes a look at countries that will likely conquer Equatorial Guinea come 2015. ALGERIA No doubt the best team in Africa at the moment by virtue of their Fifa ranking. The Algerians have been among the most exciting nations to watch at recent major tournaments. They surprised everyone at the 2014 World Cup with their free-flowing attacking football and almost dispatched reigning world champions Germany. Christian Gourcuff will be hoping to lead his entertaining side to their first victory since 1990 achieved on home soil. The Fennecs have a fair number of other players with big-game experience from playing in major leagues across Europe and are hot favorites to rule Equatorial Guinea. Star Player: Yacine Brahimi |
Re: Top Five African Nations Cup Contenders by Akbee(m): 11:30am On Dec 05, 2014 |
CAMEROON The Indomitable Lions make a return to the competition after missing out of the 2012 and 2013 editions in South Africa. Though ranked number eight in Africa, they are a very strong force to reckon with going by their antecedents in the history of the competition with four title wins to their credit. Blessed with a relatively youthful side. In a defensive sense, they have been very difficult to break down. They were unbeaten in their six qualifiers and only let in one goal. Star player: Vincent Aboubakar COTE D'IVOIRE After a catastrophic African championship campaign in South Africa that saw them crash out of the quarter-final to eventual champions, Nigeria, the Elephants will be out for redemption in Equatorial Guinea. They are definitely on the right track, blessed with some of the finest footballers on the continent. Herve Renard’s return to the competition (he was an African champion with Zambia in 2012) will be a big morale booster for the west African nation who chase their first trophy since 1992. Star player: Yaya Toure |
Re: Top Five African Nations Cup Contenders by Akbee(m): 11:31am On Dec 05, 2014 |
GHANA In the last four editions, the Black Stars have not failed to make the semi finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. Their closest efforts at winning the title was when they were pegged 1-0 by Egypt in the final of the 2010 edition staged in Angola. It would be downright dippy to suggest the current Ghana squad is anything but the best the country has been blessed with. It is a genuinely star-studded line-up, with the likes of Asamoah Gyan, the Ayew brothers and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu. Something tells me the Black Stars might just break their 33-year-old jinx. Star player: Asamoah Gyan TUNISIA After a failed expedition in 2013, the Carthage Eagles failed to get out of the group stage that paraded Ivory Coast, Togo and Algeria. Georges Leekens’ men seek redemption that will not only see them challenge for the trophy but secure their second title after their 2004 triumph on home soil. They were unbeaten in the group stage and let in two goals to testify to their defensive prowess. The north Africans are blessed with blistering speed and depth in all positions and are currently ranked 22nd by Fifa. Should they miss out on this one, a conquest in 2017 will be a better bet. Star player : Aymen Mathlouthi |
Re: Top Five African Nations Cup Contenders by Akbee(m): 11:32am On Dec 05, 2014 |
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