African disappointment

Having now watched all of the African team, who will playing at the World Cup, in action in Angola at the Africa Cup of Nations, I have to say i'm very unimpressed.

Hopes were high regarding Ivory Coast, but they still seem to lack something. The Elephants tend to play overly tactical football with too many defensive minded midfielders in their line-up. Also the wings seem to be somewhat disappointing and not able to support Didier Drogba. Not to mention some lapses of concentration in the defense and their main goalkeeper isn't even a regular at his club Beveren, which is near the bottom end of the Belgian league. I'm not very confident they can surpass their group G opponents at the World Cup if there isn't a major improvement in their game.

Algeria need even more improvement. Today's 0-0 draw with hosts Angola, was one of the worst performances by a team I've seen in recent history. They do have potential with Wolfsburg's Karim Ziani offering creativity from midfield, but they just don't seem to want to capitalize this. But today's result at least was a improvement from the opening match 3-0 embarrassment in the hands of the mighty Malawi. Luckily for Algeria Mali again underachieved and so the got through from their group in Angola, but there's no chance in hell they'll do it in South Africa with England and USA being favorites in group C.

A shock defeat by Gabon started Cameroon's campaign and a narrow 3-2 over Zambia followed. No team with Samuel Eto'o on their side shouldn't struggle like this. Begs a question if Paul Le Guen really is the right man for the job. There's every chance the team might even end up being the bottom side in South Africa as all other teams in group E are capable of beating this disjointed side.

And I don't even want to talk about Ghana. Injury troubles, bad atmosphere in the dressing room, uninspiring characters on the field. It's a disaster waiting to happen. Germany, Australia and Serbia are no doubt rubbing their hands as just like with Cameroon in group E, this Ghana team will find it very tough to handle any of them in group D.

Nigeria, with all their attacking talent, are finding it very tough to put the ball into the back of the net. The defence also isn't rock solid, with Egypt easily putting 3 goals past them and Benin getting near with numerous shots, that hit the post and the crossbar. To the Flying Eagles' luck, their opponents in group B, aren't the most stable ones with Argentina and Greece constantly struggling to put together a number of good performances in a row.

Could it be that it will be the hosts, South Africa, who'll offer the most threat to European and South-American teams at the World Cup?

Bafana-Bafana have the luxury of not having to concentrate on two major competitions in a year. It's doing wonders for Egypt, who look very likely to go on and pick up their historic third consecutive Africa Cup of Nations title. Group A also looks a very nice prospect for them considering the fixtures list.

And what's the story with African goalkeepers? Are they the worst ones in the entire world or are they just making fun? You decide. Here's Mozambique's Joao Rafael Kapango.

Nigeria squad for Angola 2010

Nigeria manager Shaibu Amodu delayed announcing his team until the last minute to get the go-ahead regarding the fitness of striker Obafemi Martins. And to his luck, the Wolfsburg marksman passed a late fitness test and is now included in the Flying Eagles squad.

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel) Bamidele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel) Austin Ejide (unattached)

Defenders: Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Danny Shittu (Bolton, England) , Obinna Nwaneri and Yusuf Mohammed (both FC Sion, Switzerland) Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France) Elderson Echiejile (Rennes, France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Onyekachi Apam (Nice, France).

Midfielders: Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England) Sani Kaita (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia) Yusuf Atanda Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Oluwaseyi George Olofinjana (Hull City, England), Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain).

Strikers: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton, England), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Michael Eneramo (Esperance, Tunisia), Obinna Nsofor (Malaga, Spain), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg, Germany).

Key defenders, such as Joseph Yobo and Danny Shittu are also returning from injury. Nwankwo Kanu will be putting his club miseries behind, and it will be his 6th appearance in the African Cup of Nations. The choice of goalkeepers is the same as it was in 2008, even though Austin Ejide is lacking match practise being without a club, since leaving Bastia in the summer.

Other teams haven't been lucky with injuries, though. Cameroon's Benoit Assou-Ekotto picked up a serious injury in the last league game for Tottenham. He's replaced by Neuchatel Xamax's Augustin Binya.

Ghana were dealt a blow when Fulham's John Pantsil got injures. At first he was set to be replaced by Getafe's Derek Boateng, but the club forbid it. Now the replacement is Ransford Osei (FC Twente). Another defender John Mensah is replaced by his namesake Jonathan Mensah. It's worth noting that both Osei and Mensah are U-20 World Champions 2009. So there's now 8 members of the successful team in the senior squad. But with the Michael Essien not yet fully fit from an hamstring injury and the story of Sulley Muntari, it might turn out to be tough for the Black Stars to even get past the group stage.

Ivory Coast and Cameroon squads for African Cup of Nations

Ivory Coast

Goalkeepers: Boubacar Barry (Lokeren, Belgium), Aristide Zogbo (Maccabi Netanya/Israel), Vincent De Paul Angban (Asec Mimosas)

Defenders: Kolo Toure (Manchester City, England), Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal, England), Guy Demel (SV Hamburg, Germany), Souleman Bamba (Hibernian, Scotland), Benjamin Angoua Brou (Kispest Honved, Hungary), Arthur Boka (VfB Stuttgart, Germany), Abdoulaye Meite (West Bromwich Albion, England), Siaka Tiene (Valenciennes, France)

Midfielders: Yaya Toure (Barcelona, Spain), Didier Zokora (Sevilla, Spain), Emmanuel Kouamatien Kone (International Curtea of Arges, Romania), Cheik Ismael Tiote (FC Twente, Holland), Emerse Fae (Nice, France), Jean-Jacques Gosso Gosso (AS Monaco, France)

Forwards: Didier Drogba (Chelsea, France), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea, England), Bakari Kone (Marseille, France), Kader Keita (Galatasaray, Turkey), Aruna Dindane (Portsmouth, England), Gervinho (Lille, France)

A really stong side and there's no surprise the Elephants are also seen as potential favorites for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The only weak point might be the goalkeeping department with no well known players. Sevilla's Koffi Ndri Romaric is dropped because of diciplinary reasons, other wise it's a full strenght squad.

Cameroon

Goalkeepers: Carlos Kameni (Espanyol, Spain), Hamidou Souleymanou (Kayserispor, Turkey), Guy N'Dy Assembe (Valenciennes, France)

Defenders: Rigobert Song (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Geremi (Newcastle United, England), Henri Bedimo (Chateauroux, France), Andre Bikey (Burnley, England), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham Hotspur, England) Aurelien Chedjou (Lille, France), Nicolas Nkoulou (AS Monaco, France)

Midfielders: Alex Song (Arsenal, England), Jean Makoun (Lyon, France), Stephane Mbia (Marseille, France), Georges Mandjeck (Kaiserslautern, Germany), Joel Matip (Shalke 04, Germany), Enoh Eyong (Ajax Amsterdam, Holland), Landry Nguemo (Celtic, Scotland), Achille Emana (Real Betis, Spain)

Forwards: Somen A Tchoyi (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Paul Alo'o Efloulou (AS Nancy, France), Achille Webo (Mallorca, Spain), Mohamadou Idrissou (SC Freiburg, Germany), Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan, Italy)

Only one who's missed out from Paul Le Guen's selection is Tottenham's Sebastien Bassong. The French-born midfielder, recently decided to start representing his parents country, but misses out on this tournament. Cameroon are probably the only African team with a good class goalkeeper and I think they'll be the only one's who might have a chance of stopping Ivory Coast from winning the continent's most prestigous tournament.

Ivory Coast are big favorites to get past their group, where they are with Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso. Cameroon are in a group with Tunisia, Zambia and co-hosts of the next African Cup of Nations, Gabon.

Group E overview

Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon

Fixtures:

14/06/2010, Johannesburg - JSC, Netherlands vs Denmark
14/06/2010, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, Japan vs Cameroon

19/06/2010, Durban, Netherlands vs Japan
19/06/2010, Tshwane/Pretoria, Cameroon vs Denmark

24/06/2010, Rustenburg, Denmark vs Japan
24/06,2010, Cape Town, Cameroon vs Netherlands

While the Netherlands are quite big favorites here, the fixtures list cause quite a nice intrigue. Cameroon will be backed by familiar surroundings, Denmark are always capable of a surprise versus bigger teams and Japan aren't no pushovers either. All could go down to the last round here.

The winner will get group F 2nd team in the next stage, while runner-up will meet the group F winner.

African Cup of Nations 2010 groups drawn

The draw for the African Nations Cup 2010 was made last night in Angola. All of the teams, who made it to South Africa 2010 are involved, except the host themselves.

Group A: Angola, Mali, Algeria, Malawi.

Group B: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Burkina Faso.

Group C: Egypt, Nigeria, Benin, Mozambique.

Group D: Cameroon, Tunisia, Zambia, Gabon.

Group B looks like the most competitive group with two of African powerhouses, Ivory Coast and Ghana, involved along side Germany 2006 debutant's Togo and an ever improving Burkina Faso. But all groups should be tight and there's no doubt a lot of mouthwatering matches installed.

The tournament will take place 10-31 January.

It's interesting to note that Egypt, who have won this competition a record 6 times (currently two times defending Champions), haven't managed to carry that form over to World Cup qualifying, as they haven't made it to the finals since 1990.