Africa Cup of Nations Group A previews

Firdose Moonda 11:04 17/01/2015
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  • Looking ahead: In October, Gabon beat Burkina Faso 2-0 in Libreville courtesy of a brace by skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

    The Africa Cup of Nations starts today and up first are two Group A clashes with replacement hosts Equatorial Guinea versus Congo followed by Burkina Faso against Gabon.

    GROUP A 

    EQUATORIAL GUINEA

    Coach: Esteban Becker

    Captain: Emilio Nsue 

    Nickname: Nzalang Nacional (National Thunder)

    Nations’ Cup record: Quarterfinals 2012; Qualified twice 

    To say Equatorial Guinea would not have played at this tournament would be putting it mildly. They should not have played. 

    The team was expelled from qualifying after fielding an ineligible player in Cameroon-born Thierry Fidieu against Mauritania in the preliminary round in May and only found themselves back in contention when then their country agreed to step in as emergency hosts in November. 

    With just eight weeks to prepare to compete with the continent’s best, the contract of their coach, Andoni Goikoetxea, was not renewed when it expired on December 31st and they were left scrambling for a replacement. Nigeria’s Stephen Keshi showed no interest which left them to rope in Argentine Esteban Becker, who oversaw the women’s triumphant run two years’ ago, but a tricky build-up could make this a very tough tournament for the hosts. 

    One to watch: Ruben Belima Rodriguez has been promoted from Real Madrid’s C team to its reserves and at 22-year-old left-winger, could form part of a promising future for both club and country. He has only made on international appearance but with a regular run could provide an attacking threat for Equatorial Guinea. 

    Trivia: A population of less than 700,000, means Equatorial Guinea does not have the vast personnel resources of other African countries and adopted a policy of naturalising players, mainly from South America, for their football team. Although they have dropped several Brazilian and Colombian-born players for this tournament, their 23-man squad contains 14 players born in Spain, the former colonial power of the country. 

    Prediction: Will be lucky to get out of the group. 

    BURKINA FASO

    Coach: Paul Put 

    Captain: Charles Kabore

    Nickname: Les Etalones (The Stallions) 

    Nations’ Cup record: Runners-up 2013; Qualified eight times 

    Against expectation, Burkina Faso enjoyed an unbeaten run in the 2013 ANC and found themselves in the final. Those memories proved so sweet, Burkina Faso returned to the scene of their success, Nelspruit, a town on South Africa’s Crocodile River, for a training camp. 

    However, they need not be concerned their 2013 run was viewed as a fluke. They followed up by breezing through 2014 World Cup qualification, where they finished top of their group, and only missed out on a ticket to Brazil because of an away goal scored by Algeria. With some eye-catching performers including Aristide Bance and Alain Traore, Burkina Faso’s stocks are on the rise. 

    One to watch: Jonathan Pitroipa was player of the tournament in 2013 and the top goalscorer in qualifying, where he found the back of the net six times. Known for his agility, particularly when it comes to weaving his way through defenders, and powerful left foot, he could be the biggest attacking threat of the tournament. 

    Trivia: In 2007, Put was banned from  participating in football activities in his native Belgium  for fixing matches with his club Lierse with a Chinese betting syndicate. He has since worked as coach of Gambia and Burkina Faso.

    Prediction: Will be eyeing nothing less than a semi-final spot. 

    GABON

    Coach: Jorge Costa

    Captain: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 

    Nickname: Les Pantheres (The Panthers) 

    Nations’ Cup record: Quarterfinals 2006  and 2012; Qualified five times

    The 2012 co-hosts have enjoyed an upward curve in performances since they reached the last eight three years’ ago. They also made the quarterfinals of the African Nations’ Championship  – the tournament for home-based players last January  – and are announcing themselves a team to be taken seriously on the continent. 

    To underline that, they beat Mali 2-0, after going down to Senegal 1-0, in warm-ups. But their preparation included one major hiccup, when Marseille midfielder Mario Lemina refused his call-up using social media. The French-born player tweeted that there was “no agreement.” between him and Gabon. Still, they have a decent squad with a significant number of European-based players and will hope to out in another strong showing. 

    One to watch: Aubameyang has been among the most lauded footballers from the continent over the last year, especially since he signed for Borussia Dortmund. He was one of the three finalists for the 2014 footballer of the year, is sensationally speedy and has scored goals on what many consider the biggest stage – the Champions League – and could prove unstoppable, particularly if be brings his Spiderman mask with him. 

    Trivia: The Gabon job is Jorge Costa’s first in charge of a national team and his first in Africa. The former Portuguese defender, who made 50 appearances for his country, previously managed clubs including Braga and Pacos Ferreira but this is his biggest assignment to date.

    Prediction: A tough tussle to get out of the group, but could squeeze their way into the knockouts 

    CONGO

    Coach: Claude Le Roy 

    Captain: Oscar Ewolo

    Nickname: Diables Rouges (Red Devils)

    Nations’ Cup record: Winners 1972; Qualified seven times

    A prolonged period of underperformance has finally come to an end for Congo. The country has capped off steady improvements, which saw their premier club AC Leopards win the CAF Confederation Cup and qualify for the Champions League group stage, with an appearance at the event and will fancy their chances of making a mark. 

    Sweeping changes have taken place in the build up, most notably the omission of defender Chris Samba, who rejected a call-up during qualifying. The injection of youth and the commitment to Le Roy’s philosophy of collective goals above all else have turned Congo into a formidable unit, who will promise a fight.

    One to watch: Delvin N’dinga has been playing for Congo since 2007, when he was just 19-years-old and is now based in Greece. The midfielder also attracted the attention of Monaco, who bought him for six million euros before loaning him out. He won’t see money like that playing for Congo but he will required to do just as much of a job as a bridge between the back and front packs. 

    Trivia: Nicknamed the White Wizard, Claude Le Roy has built his career on the continent. Congo are the fifth team he has been in charge of and if his track record is anything to go by, they are in for a surge. Le Roy took Cameroon to the runners up spot in the 1986 ANC, and to 1998 World Cup, Senegal to the 1992 ANC quarterfinals and Ghana to their highest position on the FIFA rankings – 14. This will be Le Roy’s seventh ANC and only once has he failed to take a team to the quarterfinals.

    Prediction: Their ranking and record speaks against them but Congo have had a remarkable recent run and qualified out of a group that included defending champions Nigeria. A surprise may be sprung. 

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