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With the African Nations Cup kicking off on the 19th of January in South Africa, here is an analysis of the four teams in Group A and a prediction as to where they will finish in the group.
Group A consists of hosts South Africa, Morocco, Cape Verde and Angola.
Team Analysis: South Africa
The Bafana-Bafana drew all eyes when they hosted the World Cup, and although they didn’t make it past the group stages, a very respectable draw against Mexico and a memorable win over 1998 World Cup winners France gave their vuvuzela-toting home support much to cheer about.
African Nations Cup record:
The South Africans were disqualified from the 1957 AFCON because of their apartheid laws, and were banned from the competition from 1959 to 1992.
Although they didn’t qualify in 1994, they won the tournament in their first attempt in 1996. But since then, it’s been a downward slide for the hosts. They finished runners-up in 1998, third in 2000 and entered the quarter-finals in 2002.
Things went from bad to worse when they struggled to get out of the group stages in the next three editions of the tournament, before failing to qualify in 2010 and 2012.
Qualification for the 2013 AFCON was only because they are the hosts, and only because Libya couldn’t host the tournament due to the internal strife that saw the overthrowing of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.
Key men:
With influential play maker Stephen Pienaar announcing his retirement from international football, the creative onus of the team will fall on Ajax man Thulani Serero.
Their best attacking outlet would be on the wings, where Ayanda Patosi and Siphiwe Tshabalala could use their pace to deadly effect.
In Itumeleng Khune, they have a solid, reliable keeper and will be hoping he is able to shut out the opposition.
Predicted Finish: Quarter finals
Team Analysis: Morocco
Morocco are one of Africa’s bigger teams. Hailing from the Mediterranean coast, the Atlas Lions have won the AFCON once (1976), finished runners-up once (2004) and third once (1980).
But the quality the Moroccans possess does not seem to be evident on the field. On no less than eight times have they exited the tournament in the first round, failing to qualify for it another eight times.
Having beaten Mozambique in their qualifier, Morocco have a relatively easy group which they would be expected to top.
Key men:
Coach Rachid Taoussi has decided to leave out Arsenal front man Marouane Chamakh and QPR midfielder Adel Taarabt, but there are plenty of others to run the show for the Moroccans.
Udinese defender Mehdi Benatia will provide steel at the back, with Getafe playmaker Abdelaziz Barrada expected to play in tandem with versatile Montpellier man Younes Belhanda and Aston Villa‘s Karim El Ahmadi.
Liverpool‘s Oussama Assaidi can provide width on the wing, along with Galatasaray’s Nordin Amrabat; with Fiorentina forward Mounir El Hamdaoui leading the line.
Predicted Finish: Semi finals
Team Analysis: Angola
Football fans will remember Angola for representing Africa during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Sadly, the tournament turned out to be a bit of a damp squib as they exited winless, with one draw and two defeats to their name.
After narrowly missing out on qualification for 2010, Angola will be looking to showcase some of their quality when they do make it to the Rainbow Nation – the same quality that took them to two quarter-final finishes in 2008 and 2010, despite having qualified only thrice before.
Key men:
Rumour has it that Goncalves, the coach who guided Angola to Germany, sought the advice of Jose Mourinho, whose wife is Angolan.
But several of the Palancas Negras (Black Antelopes) who were there at the time have since retired.
The only standout names on the list of players for the AFCON is former Manchester United striker Manucho Goncalves, who currently plays with Valladolid in Spain and Djalma Campos of Porto, who is currently on loan with Limassol in the Cypriot First Division.
Predicted Finish: Round 1
Team Analysis: Cape Verde
Easily the weakest of the four teams in Group A, Cape Verde are sure to be regarded as Group A minnows.
That being said, they could cause an upset on their day, just as when they stunned the footballing world by beating Cameroon to qualify for their first ever African Cup of Nations.
They also have the highest FIFA ranking in their group (51), ahead of South Africa (72), Morocco (71) and Angola (83).
The island nation will be hoping their first AFCON appearance turns out to be a memorable one.
Key Men:
Although no standout names come to mind, the former Portuguese colony has several players who ply their trade in Europe.
The nation, therefore, will look for inspiring performances from defenders Gege of Maritimo and Gil Vicente’s Pecks, midfielders Babanco and David Silva (no relation) of Olhanense and Stenio of Feirsense and forwards Heldon Nhuck (Maritimo), Djaniny (Olhanense) and Ze Luis (Braga)
Experience will come in the form of Nando from Chateauroux, Guy Ramos of Waalkwijk and Tony Varela from Sparta Rotterdam.
Up front, Lille striker Ryan Mendes will be expected to lead the line.
Predicted Finish: Round 1
Who do you think will finish on top of Group A? I’d love to know in the comments section.
