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It has been some time since I updated my blog. It is because of one reason or the other but for now I am back and hope to share opinions. To keep the balling rolling it is about the just concluded Afcon.
It’s now evidently clear that some of the Africa World Cup representatives must pick up the pieces and try to build again. In the Africa Cup of Nations most teams that are going to represent Africa failed to live up to expectations. In a match pitting Algeria and Malawi together, the Flames stunned the Desert Foxes, showing their fragility. Even though they made it past the first round we should not bury our heads in the sand and say that they later pulled off a shock by eliminating tournament favorites Ivory Coast.
They made it past the first round thanks to ‘aloof’ rules that saw Mali eliminated even though they were the ones who had a better and superior goal difference. Algeria picked them very well past the first round in the quarterfinals, where they showed the Elephants are only a superior team on paper. However, football is played on the grass and they were the better team there. Come the semifinals their team collapsed. Generally they have shown they can wake up after falling, dust themselves off and keep going.
In the case of Africa favourites Ivory Coast, they must try and keep their house in order from the word go in this summer’s World Cup if they are to make it past the first round. From the Cup of Nations they have shown they can be flustered by their opponents. Even though they bulldozed past a young Ghanaian side, they crumbled and tumbled in the quarterfinals. They should be aware they can be reduced to a pale shadow, bearing in mind that they are in toughest pool. They should learn from the Afcon that there is no room for complacency, as even Korea DPR can stun them the way they were shocked by Burkina Faso, a team they had whitewashed in both rounds of the qualifiers. However there is still time to put their house in order.
Cameroon, who had been considered by many as the title favourites, realised it was a false dream when they started tumbling from the word go. They were outclassed by Gabon in the first game. In the game against Zambia they bounced back, thanks to erroneous goalkeeping. Many have said that they fielded a team with some members that were too old, but this is the team that ensured their qualification, therefore that is just a mere excuse. Even though they were able to hold their archrivals, the Pharaohs, for the better part of the game, at the end they ran out of steam. They should learn to hold their rivals for the entire 90 minutes plus extra time. They have to gear up their campaign towards the World Cup. They should be aware that at the World Cup there is no room to make mistakes.
To save the day for the teams that are World Cup-bound, Ghana showed that all is not lost, as they were able to shrug the first game defeat and make it to the finals. Although they had a raft of injuries, the youngsters were able to fill the void that was left by their seniors. However, they should not rest on their laurels and think that they have made it.
Turning aside from the World Cup-bound teams’ performance, Angola pulled a showstopper to hold a magnificent tournament. Just imagine how the trophy and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) flag were brought in. That was wonderful. Even though, at first, the tournament seemed to be marred by events after that barbaric attack on the Togo bus, they were able to overcome things and continue well. There is no one who is perfect. Kudos Angola. What a tournament.
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Ander-d (Luanda) - Wednesday February 10 2010 - 10:02
This was really a great tournament, despite of Togo’s absence for the reasons we all know.
But I am really concerned with the status of some so called Africa top players, who do not do anything to raise the value of African Cup of Nations.
Is it lack of patriotism or all that count is the prize money they receive after each game. We should treasure what is “ours” and not only play magnificently at the World CUP.
Teams like, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast… should put fear in their upcoming world cup opponents with a great display in the AFRICON so that they know that we will be there to make a point and not only to be on vacation , Let’s hope that they get better and do not let us African’s down again.
As for the rest, I like to see Gabon (beating Cameroon), Malawi (beating Algeria and displaying great football), Zambia (long time, I really enjoy seeing a great squad with “Katongo’s) and Ghana ( with young players, did what football is all about “ score and don’t get scored) and off course Angola (with a coach that had only few month to have a disciplined squad)
I see that all the team are improving and sooner there will not be small team anymore, we’ll all compete at the same level regardless the so called STARS we might face…
All in all a great tournament for Africa, great stadiums and organizations, I am proud of being Angolan, hope Gabon and Equatorial Guinea do the same or similar so that the AFRICON be a valued competition for all of us and they know that Africa is not only misery and war ………..
Orange AFRICON, Angola 2010 the best so far……
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tokyo (grahamstown) - Monday February 08 2010 - 17:15
egypt was briliant from day one and do it and they will do it forever and ever amen
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Vikitala (LILONGWE) - Saturday February 06 2010 - 09:37
Hey I also agree with u the final party was superb though I didnt follow with keen interest. I remember Thomas Mlambo was amazed when the flood lights were switched off for the party to begin and I was like hey Africa with electricity black outs or pilates have invaded Angola. All in all it was superb and that the Angolans were organised.
I strongly agree with u that Ghana is a team that pulled surprise.Ths year's Ghana was totally different from the '08 tournament and seing Essien watching from the stands I was like this team will not make it.. Thumbs up Ghana I hope the likes of Apiah, Essien, J Mensa(not sure of the names please 4gve) will all be fit for the world show piece. We are counting on u.
Talking of Cameroun, the Lions are becoming domitable but I still feel them they are a team which with much concerntration they can be a strong team. CIV has never impressed me b4 and after any tournament so I dont xpect much from them at the world cup when the vuvuzela will be blown. But if u can put ur house inorder as the columnist has said and pull a surprise I will put my hands together for u..
By the way where is senegal? I feel sorry for that team...
Big up Super sport give us the scenes as they unfold.
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biodun adeyanju (N/Delhi) - Friday February 05 2010 - 18:55
U didnt talk about Nigeria or is it that you dont want to talk about the sleeping giant? What their woeful performance?
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Tebza (Durban) - Thursday February 04 2010 - 14:30
2010 World Cup will be held by the host nation (SA) in winter. I think it is proper that it is referred to as such.
CAF under the leadership of Hayatou continues to make us ashamed. We need to make sure that this was their last tournament. This type of behaviour is what robs the continent of good football and the opportunity to do well in the global arena.
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Ahmad (Abuja) - Thursday February 04 2010 - 12:01
Security of lives comes first. there is no excuse of what happened to Togo whatever. A good tournament in terms of footballi and surprises but organisationally i dont think its all that good. transport, media - team r/ship etc. And to cap it all CAF.
Throughout the tournament, CAF were a disgrace, from the issue of Mali to dismal officiating throughout and then comes the worst blunder... suspension of Togo.
We must all join hands together in condemning CAF, they are a disgrace to Africa.
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Emmanuel "Trompo" Mulabo (Pretoria) - Thursday February 04 2010 - 10:11
I don't know where the writer resides but i just want to point it out to him that it will be winter here in SA when the world cup starts.
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ismaila rafiu (eket- nigeria) - Wednesday February 03 2010 - 13:32
my ranking of the world team before afcon was: CIV-cameroon-ghana-algeria-nigeria-SA. i have not seen anything to change that order during the torney.
I do not think ghana will have done much better than they did even with those "star" players that were not around, you never know, they could probably have done worse.
Africa may well rue egypt elimination from the world cup.
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Jose (Luanda) - Wednesday February 03 2010 - 11:29
Am an African soccer supporte and am happy with the organization specially th openin and closin cerimony. Lookin @ what the country went through i did nt believ they could do what they showed us. Am soooo... disapoint with Ivory Cost coz i stl believ they had almost everything to win this AFCON bt they should play as they do in their clubs. Whwen this guys represent the country seems like they do just to fulfil the role of being part of the country bt they do nt give their best. I believe this guys should forget that this or that plays in better team than another one or this is greater than other and come as one (unity in difercity). Sometimes i fell like there is no much commitment from some teams that is why they felt. Am happy with Gabon they should had gonno far bt 4 the nxt AFCON they will be to challenge the bigerones. Malawi oh guys if they keep it up better it will be 4 African footbal. I just want talk abt Nigerian guys come on u got 3rd place bt should thanks God coz u were luck in the semi-final coz the Zabian deserved to go tru
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