Sports

AFCON 2019: Expectations, the contenders

 

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on June 21st in Egypt. Last
time Egypt were the hosts, back in 2006, they won the tournament.
It was their first of three back-to-back AFCON titles, but the four
African Cup of Nations tournaments since then have seen four different
winners, including 2012’s surprise winners Zambia, who didn’t even
qualify for the expanded 2019 tournament.
There could be another surprise winner this year, but here’s a preview
of what to expect from the frontrunners at AFCON 2019.
Egypt: As many as 90,000 fans at the Borg el Arab Stadium erupted in
November 2017 when Mohamed Salah’s last minute penalty against Congo
sent Egypt to the World Cup.
But following a disappointing performance at Russia 2018, Egypt
changed their manager, bringing in former Mexico and Atletico Madrid
head coach Javier Aguirre.
He has got the team scoring lots of goals and playing entertaining
soccer. Egypt have scored 20 goals in their last eight matches.
The home nation won’t accept anything less than a win at the
tournament, but their defense isn’t the strongest and is often left
exposed by their attacking style of play.
Senegal: Senegal are Africa’s number one team according to FIFA’s
ranking system, but have never actually won the Cup of Nations.
Could this be their year? Senegal came into the competition on form,
winning their last six games, and keeping five clean sheets in the
process.
They have Liverpool’s Sadio Mane up front, but tournament success is
often built on a strong defense, and there aren’t many better
defenders in the world than Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, who heads up
probably the best back line in the tournament.
Nigeria: If it’s goals you’re after, Nigeria might be your best bet.
They have lightning-fast wingers like Ahmed Musa and a range of
different styles attacking players that’ll keep any opponent guessing.
Creating chances against the Super Eagles won’t be easy with Wilfred
Ndidi screening the defense. Nigeria didn’t qualify for the last two
AFCON tournaments, but the last time they did qualify, they won the
whole thing.
The draw has been kind on Nigeria, who face Guinea and AFCON
debutantes Madagascar and Burundi in the group stage.
Madagascar’s defense let in more goals than anyone else who qualified
for the tournament, so Nigeria’s strikeforce must be looking at that
fixture as a chance to fill their boots.
Ghana: Ghana have plenty of qualities on their side, but as star
midfielder Thomas Partey told the BBC, “quality is not enough”.
Soccer in Ghana has been riddled with scandals, and the national team
also hasn’t had a smooth ride of late, with the manager’s authority
being questioned and former captain Asamoah Gyan quitting the side
over the captaincy, before rejoining Ghana later.
Ghana often make the final four, but are off-form and could easily implode.
Morocco: Morocco’s boss Herve Renard has lifted the African Cup of
Nations, not once, but twice, with Ivory Coast and Zambia.
He will be hoping to lift it a third time and his Morocco side, led by
Ajax player of the season Hakim Ziyech, looked unstoppable.
Until their last three games, which all ended in defeat. Before then,
there had only been two losses, to Iran and Portugal, in Morocco’s
previous 27.
Morocco’s high intensity pressing, which led them to sprint more than
any other team in the World Cup group stage, makes them very
watchable, and Renard’s loyalty to a small group of 15 players has
made Morocco very organized.
But their style of play might not be well suited to the heat of Egypt,
and they may be regretting the African soccer confederation’s decision
to move the tournament from winter to summer.
Ivory Coast: Ivory Coast were 2015 AFCON champions, but several
players in their star-studded side have something to prove, from Jean
Michael Seri, who underwhelmed at Fulham last season, to Wilfred
Bonywho finds himself without a club.
A strong tournament could be a chance for Bony, and others like
Burundi’s Saido Berahino, to put themselves in the shop window.
They aren’t the only ones hoping to get noticed. Mauritania boss
Corentin Martins says “The selection has really become a showcase,”
and that qualifications for recent tournaments have helped many of his
players find clubs abroad.
Cameroon: Current AFCON champions Cameroon were stripped of the
hosting rights to this year’s tournament, and big-name coach Clarence
Seedorf has had a difficult start to his spell in charge, with his
decision (now reversed) to not select players based in China leading
to Benjamin Moukandjo retiring as Cameroon struggled through the
qualification stage.
Cameroon lack a bit of creativity, but do possess the best goalkeeper
at the tournament in Ajax’s Andre Onana.
DR Congo: The Democratic Republic of Congo are probably the best of
the rest. They’ve kept their head coach Florent Ibenge for five years,
which has brought them stability and a third place finish in 2015.
Cedric Bakambu, Britt Assombalonga and Yannick Bolasie provide a real
attacking threat too.
They are in a tough group with Egypt and two well-organized
counter-attacking sides in Zimbabwe and Uganda so the knockout rounds
aren’t something that should be taken for granted.
Contenders
Algeria, who are unbeaten in their last six games, and Tunisia, who
are the second highest African side in FIFA’s rankings, could also be
considered outsiders for the title.
Tunisia beat Croatia away recently, no easy feat, and their style of
play is very easy on the eye, even if they lack a clinical edge to
their game.
Guinea went through qualification unbeaten, but their hopes at the
tournament will depend much on the fitness of star player Naby Keita.
Mali were almost suspended from the tournament by FIFA, but their
appearance will give Southampton fans a chance to check out Moussa
Djenepo, who joined the Saints from Standard Liege this summer.
Mali performed well at this summer’s Under-20 World Cup, and their
AFCON side also has former under-20 Golden Boot winner Adama Traore in
its ranks.
The 2019 African Cup of Nations has already being moved from Cameroon
to Egypt, and then had the schedule changed so that it avoids Ramadan.
And there’s plenty of scope for something to go wrong given the farce
of the African Champions League final, which had to be replayed due to
a faulty VAR system.
But even if it goes without a hitch, the African Cup of Nations is
likely to have plenty of shocks and upsets along the way.


… Eagles to play Group matches in Africa’s oldest stadium

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will play their three Group B games of the 2019
Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt inside the oldest football ground in
the continent, Alexandria Stadium.
The Alexandria Stadium was built in 1929 and has a sitting capacity of 20,000.
It is home to Egyptian Premier League outfit, Al Ittihad, the third
most popular club in the country after Al Ahly and Zamelek.
Smouha Sporting Club, another team that features in the Egyptian
Premier League who are based in Alexandria also play their league
matches on the ground occasionally.
The ground which hosted matches of the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations was
renovated in 2016.
The Super Eagles however have a bitter memory of the stadium, having
lost their semi-final clash against Cote d’Ivoire at the ground in
2006.
Didier Drogba scored the decisive goal for the Elephants in the game.
Captain John Mikel Obi is the only member of the current Super Eagles
team that featured in that game.
The Super Eagles will open their campaign against Burundi on Saturday
June 22 at the Alexandria Stadium.
Gernot Rohr’s charges will also face Guinea and Madagascar on June 26
and June 30 respectively in their other Group B matches.


AFCON 2019 FIXTURES

DAY 1: 21/06/19
8:00pm – Egypt  vs  Zimbabwe
2:30pm – Congo DR  vs  Uganda
DAY 2: 22/06/19
5:00pm – Nigeria  vs  Burundi
8:00pm – Guinea  vs  Madagascar
DAY 3: 23/06/19
2:30pm – Morocco  vs  Namibia
5:00pm – Senegal  vs  Tanzania
8:00pm – Algeria    vs   Kenya
DAY 4: 24/06/19
2:30pm – Côte d’Ivoire  vs South Africa
5:00pm – Tunisia     vs   Angola
8:00pm – Mali          vs   Mauritania
DAY 5: 25/06/19
5:00pm – Cameroon vs Guinea-Bissau
8:00pm – Ghana vs Benin
DAY 6: 26/06/19
2:30pm – Nigeria  vs  Guinea
5:00pm – Uganda  vs  Zimbabwe
8:00pm – Egypt      vs  Congo DR
DAY 7: 27/06/19
2:30pm – Madagascar  vs  Burundi
5:00pm – Senegal    vs   Algeria
8:00pm – Kenya   vs   Tanzania
DAY 8: 28/06/19
2:30pm – Tunisia   vs  Mali
5:00pm – Morocco   vs   Côte d’Ivoire
8:00pm – South Africa   vs   Namibia
DAY 9: 29/06/19
2:30pm – Mauritania  vs  Angola
5:00pm – Cameroon  vs  Ghana
8:00pm – Benin   vs   Guinea-Bissau
DAY 10: 30/06/19
4:00pm – Burundi   vs   Guinea
4:00pm – Madagascar   vs   Nigeria
7:00pm – Zimbabwe   vs   Congo DRC
7:00pm – Uganda   vs   Egypt
DAY 11: 01/07/19
4:00pm – Namibia   vs   Côte d’Ivoire
4:00pm – South Africa   vs   Morocco
7:00pm – Tanzania   vs   Algeria
7:00pm – Kenya   vs   Senegal
DAY 12: 02/07/19
4:00pm – Guinea-Bissau  vs   Ghana
4:00pm – Benin   vs   Cameroon
7:00pm – Angola   vs  Mali
7:00pm – Mauritania   vs   Tunisia

Show More

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button