A Wide Open Nations Cup Beckons...

I have often said that when African players return to play for their national teams, they often leave behind their professionalism in Europe. The result is that the African Nations Cup (ANC) typically runs high on emotion and spontaneity but less on tactical organization and discipline. The ANC has often favored the teams built with emphasis on defensive organization, tactical balance and some cutting edge in attack. Nigeria and Cameroon in 1988, Nigeria in 1990 (reaching the finals with an inexperienced team), Cote d‘Ivoire (CIV) in 1992, South Africa in 1996 and ’98, Cameroon in 2000 and 2002, Tunisia in 2004, Egypt in 2008, Egypt and a young Ghana team in 2010…

http://nigerianfutbol.blogspot.com/2012/01/wide-open-africa-nations...

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by delta on January 18, 2012 at 7:27

With two 3rd tier teams, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea as hosts; are such minnows as Niger, Botswana, Libya and Sudan as well as perennial underachievers Mali, Zambia and a washed out Angola. At the same time, the nature of the first round groups means that one of CIV, Angola, or Burkina Faso, will not be in the quarter final rounds, as is one of the trio of Ghana, Mali and Guinea, as well as Gabon, Morocco or Tunisia.
This will not rank as one of the classic Nations Cup tournaments.

http://nigerianfutbol.blogspot.com/2012/01/wide-open-africa-nations...