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Ghana, Gabon & Cote d’Ivoire’s presence electrifies 2012 AFCON quarter-finals
Zambia vs Sudan, Cote d’Ivoire vs Equatorial Guinea, Gabon vs Mali and Ghana vs Tunisia complete the quarter-final phase’s fixtures list. The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations doesn’t need the weight of continental giants Nigeria, Egypt and Cameroon to be fantastic!
So-called minnows like co-hosts Equatorial Guinea have performed against the odds to give the tournament a special electrifying touch. Sudan have also provided a shock by reaching the quarter-final stage at the expense of Angola. Meanwhile, Seydou Keita’s Mali had to wait until the very last minute to know their fate.
Ghana haven’t hit top form yet and this is why curiosity comes in. How will the Black Stars fare in the knock-out stage against the struggling Tunisians? Do the Ghanaians possess enough fire in their belly to reach the final at the expectations of the public?
2012 Africa Cup of Nations: Watch out for more live action on Matchday 2
Followers of the competition got served with 8 great matches on Matchday 1. Equatorial Guinea opened the show in great fashion. They recorded a vital 1-0 victory against Libya thanks to a late goal from Balboa.
Zambia sealed the wonderful night with a 2-1 triumph over Senegal. The Chipolopolo will have the chance to step closer to qualification at the Estadio de Bata.
Libya vs Zambia will open Matchday 2 of the 2012 AFCON. Equatorial Guinea vs Senegal will provide thrills as the co-hosts would want to test their power against the Teranga Lions. If the Senegalese don’t improve from their poor form against the Zambians, Equatorial Guinea may clinch their second victory on the trot.
2012 Africa Cup of Nations: Focus on Group A
Key match-ups
Equatorial Guinea vs Libya
This game will not really be interesting because of the public’s expectations. But still, it is expected to get a lot of attention, as it will be the opening match. Of course, anything special from these teams during the course of the encounter can cause spectators to get attached to them and give them more support in their subsequent challenges.
Senegal vs Zambia
Just after the opening match, Senegal and Zambia lock horns. These two countries are expected to lead Group A, and so the score line of this game is likely to be key in determining the outcome of both the Lions of Teranga and the Chipolopolo in the table. A bad result for either side could give more hope to Equatorial Guinea and Libya.
2012 Africa Cup of Nations: Focus on Group D
Key match-ups
Ghana vs Botswana
With their attainments in the last few years, Ghana’s young side have proved that they are not a side to underestimate. It will be interesting to see them battling Botswana, who are just making their first appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. But that surely does not mean that they are simply minnows. An impressive qualification run that saw them top Group K is just enough to send the Black Stars a strong warning.
Ghana vs Guinea
The two countries met in the opening match of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, when Ghana were then hosting the tournament. A 2-1 victory for the Black Stars threw the Guineans on the back foot after Day 1, but the story is likely to be different this time around. “Revenge” is not necessarily the keyword in this game; but in any case, the National Elephants have a realistic idea of how dangerous the Ghanaians can be. Thus, we could be in for a game of strategy and techniques.
2012 Africa Cup of Nations team profiles: Focus on Senegal’s AFCON history
The Lions of Teranga (Les Lions de la Teranga in French) are potentially dangerous. They are among the world’s top 50 nations and 6th in Africa. They are coached by Amara Traore and captained by veteran striker Mamadou Niang. The book of the Senegalese national team’s AFCON adventures is eventful and full of historic moments. You just can’t disregard Senegal’s importance in the history of African football.
A colorful history
Senegal’s first taste of the Nations Cup was in 1965 when they finished fourth behind Ivory Coast. Their next best shot at the competition was in 1992 and in 1994 when they reached the quarterfinals.
2012 Africa Cup of Nations team profiles: Focus on Morocco’s AFCON history
The Moroccans are referred to as the Lions of the Atlas. They are ranked 61st in the world according to FIFA. The national team is currently managed by Eric Gerets—once PSV Eindhoven, Wolfsburg, Galatasaray and Olympique Marseille coach. 29-year-old Serie A midfielder, Houssine Kharja, acts as the team’s captain.
In this profile, you will understand why the Moroccans should not only consider themselves as one of Northern Africa’s best footballing country but also as one of the entire continent’s most dangerous side. Let’s look back at Morocco’s AFCON history!
2012 Africa Cup of Nations team profiles: Focus on Mali’s 2012 AFCON history
They are called the Eagles (les Aigles in French). They are led by the experience of ex-Olympic Lyonnais and Real Madrid star Mahamadou Diarra and their coach is former Toulouse, PSG and Gabon manager Alain Giresse. The Eagles are 67th in the world and 15th in Africa. What should the Malians expect of their...
2012 Africa Cup of Nations team profiles: Focus on Guinea’s AFCON history
They are 18th in Africa and 80th overall according to the FIFA Rankings, they are not considered as one of the continent’s main forces and they don’t even have World Cup memories to boast about. However, the National Elephants have a bigger Nations Cup history than many may recall. In this recap, we bring to mind the various highlights and lowlights of the Guinean national team—controlled by the Fédération Guinéenne de Football and currently managed by Michel Dussuyer.
Guinea’s eventful past
Let’s go way back to the year 1970. That’s when the National Elephants finally experienced African up of Nations football. Seven years before, they got disqualified from Ghana 1963 for failing to provide neutral officials in the second leg of their 3-2 aggregate tie against Nigeria in the qualifiers.
2012 Africa Cup of Nations team profiles: Focus on Equatorial Guinea’s AFCON history
The Federación Ecuatoguineana de Fútbol will experience a new challenge at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Brazilian coach Gilson Paulo and skipper Rodolfo Bodipo will shoulder the task of leading Equatorial Guinea in their first ever Nations Cup tournament. The Nzalang Nacional (National Lighting) deservedly seats 150th in the FIFA Ranking, 86 places below their highest ever grade (in March 2008).
Poor AFCON history – What’s next for the National Lighting?
The 1990 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers marked Equatorial Guinea’s first involvement in the continent’s most important championship. The African minnows were tasked to face Angola in a home and away tie in the Preliminary Round.
2011 Women’s World Cup: Group D’s Brazil, Australia, Norway & Equatorial Guinea
Group D: Brazil, Australia, Norway, Equatorial Guinea
The public will be waiting with much anticipation for things in Group D to unfold. One question that has been asked time and time again since 4 years now is whether Brazil can avenge their 2007 Women’s World Cup final fiasco.
But Brazil don’t have any easy task. 2010 AFC Women’s Championship titleholders Australia are set to pose a real challenge to Group D’s contenders. Besides Brazil and Australia, there is also Norway who finished fourth in China 2007.