Previews

Tragedy mars Cup of Nations

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 11/01/2010
Football betting

The Africa Cup of Nations officially begins on Sunday with an opening match between hosts Angola and Group A rivals Mali.

However, before a ball has even been kicked there is mass concern, confusion and doubt following a terrorist attack on a team bus carrying the Togo team.

Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor and Aston Villa midfielder Moustapha Salifou found themselves at the centre of a terrifying 30-minute ordeal which left three dead - with reports indicating that one of the deceased is Togo's assistant coach.

Togo pulled out of the competition following a 24-hour period of reflection and the tournament organisers will be hoping the rest of the three-week event passes off with no more drama.

Togo were due to play Ghana in their opening match in the northern Angolan province of Cabinda on Monday but Group B - which also contains Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso - is now likely to be contested by just three teams.

On the pitch and Ivory Coast are the runaway favourites with the sportsbooks to win their first Cup of Nations since 1992.

The Elephants are captained by talismanic Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and boast several high-profile European-based players - Kolo and Yaya Toure, Didier Zokora and Emmanuel Eboue - in their impressive ranks.

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Perhaps the biggest surprise is that Ivory Coast have only won the competition once in their history compared to Egypt's six and the four successes by Ghana and Cameroon.

Both of those latter two African powerhouses are predicted to do well in Angola as they can boast plenty of experience in what are familiar squads.

Ghana rely heavily on the influence of Michael Essien, who comes into the competition with a major question-mark hanging over his fitness following recent hamstring problems.

However, the Black Stars are missing the likes of injured stars Stephen Appiah, John Mensah, John Paintsil and Sulley Muntari and may struggle to live up to expectations.

Perhaps a better bet would be the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, who are under the astute leadership of Frenchman Paul Le Guen.

Samuel Eto'o is their key man but the Internazionale striker will be hoping for assistance from Alex Song, Jean Makoun, Stephane Mbia, Achille Emana and goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.

Nigeria have a raft of star names at their disposal but appear to be out of form alongside defending champions Egypt.

However, one nation to watch could well be Mali who arrived in Angola with little fanfare.

The Eagles are coached by Stephen Keshi, who was at the helm of Togo when they surprisingly qualified for the 2006 World Cup.

With players of the quality of midfield trio Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid), Seydou Keita (Barcelona) and Momo Sissoko (Juventus), plus striker Frederic Kanoute (Seville), they simply cannot be ignored.

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