2015 Afcon begins
Parachuted from Ebola-scared Morocco, the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), minus the cold Flames, made a safe landing yesterday in the oil-rich Central Africa domain of Equatorial Guinea paving the way for endless action.
The hosts, who after getting the boot in the qualifiers for fielding an ineligible player, got the 22-day action underway, when hosting Congo with Burkina Faso facing Gabon. Sixteen national teams, including South Africa and neighbouring Zambia, are in the thick of things.
With Nigeria’s Super Eagles also absent and unable to defend the championship due to the endless politicking that clipped their wings, it is Africa number one ranked team Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire who have emerged as favourites for the continental football bragging rights.
A good number of Malawians, including deputy national coach Jack Chamangwana, having witnessed Algeria dish out football lessons in dismissing the Flames from the qualifiers of Group B, have thrown their weight behind the Desert Fennecs.
“On paper, I’m for Algeria. They have quality players and the strength. They are well-organised and drilled,” Chamangwana said while also pointing to Algeria’s brave displays at the 2014 Fifa World Cup.
However, despite boasting a deep squad of predominantly Europe-based players, including Africa’s Best Player Yacine Brahima, Algeria coach Christian Gourcuff admits that his charges face an unpredictable marathon in Group C consisting of Ghana, South Africa and Senegal
“We cannot make predictions in this kind of competition. Certainly, many have named us the favourites, but we must invest a great deal. There is quality, but there are also conditions that we must get used to. We disregard the judgement of others,” Gourcuff told international media.
The favourites’ tag extends to Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions, Senegal’s Teranga Lions and usual suspects Cote d’Ivoire (Elephants) and Ghana (Black Stars).
The Teranga Lions dropped Turkey-based forward Demba Ba whereas the Indomitable Lions have moved off the shadow of divisive star figures such as Samuel Eto’o Fils and Alex Song.
Herve former Zambian coach Renard is now Elephants’ coach and will be justified into believing that he can, with his tailor-made white shirt charm, finally turn them into kings and do justice to the vast talents of the Yaya Toure-led side. Flames left back Francis Mlimbika is the Elephants’ big fan.
“They have everything that it takes to win it,” the Mighty Wanderers captain said during the week.
There are also dark horses such as 1996 winners South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and 2012 kings Zambia.
South Africa remain unbeaten in any game since veteran Ephraim Shakes Mashaba shook the foundation of South Africa football by dropping usual names, including Thulani Serero, Itumeleng Khune, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Teko Modise for hungrier novices such as Mandla Masango and scoring bully Tokelo Rantie.
Thrown in Group B comprising Tunisia, Cape Verde Islands and DR Congo, the Chipolopolo, coached by Honor Janza, return to the country that co-hosted the championship they won under Renard who is now with that edition’s finalists, the Elephants.
While Southern Africa has two representatives in the Central African nation, it is all doom and gloom for East Africa which did not produce a finalist with Ethiopia fighting a losing battle to finish bottom in Malawi’s group.
Playing to tease and please, over-elaborated runs and outrageous dribbles, power seasoned with brutal force, blazing trumpets and hissing drums, all will, from tonight, be on display. n
