Mighty African match

EVEN by African standards the build-up to the Cup of Nations has been strange, both on and off the pitch.

Africa’s flagship tournament will be held in Equatorial Guinea, a former Spanish colony, which has only ever appeared in the finals once before – and that was when they co-hosted the event with Gabon.

That was only in 2012, when the oil-rich nation had only two suitable grounds. The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in Morocco who had requested a delay following the outbreak of the Ebola virus although, once this was declined, the race was on to find a replacement.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) rightly stuck to their principles and refused to move the date in a move that would have been unprecedented in the 58-year history of the competition.

Equatorial Guinea helped CAF out of a hole and in doing so become the first nation in Africa to host their premier competition twice within four years. Despite a population of fewer than one million they are considered to be one of the richest nations having recently discovered oil. While they are the third largest oil producer in Africa little of this has yet made a positive impact on human development or child health where the Cup hosts rank particularly badly. Less than half the population has access to clean drinking water.

None of that has stopped this West African nation of islands from trying to impress on a wider scale. Bata is the larger of the two stadia built for the 2012 edition and, boasting a capacity of 35,000, will host the opening game and final. Malabo is the other and can hold 15,000.

Two additional grounds had to be quickly selected and enhanced. Wisely both are border towns although, to provide an idea of scale, the entire population of each town is less than the capacity of the Bata stadium!

Ebebiyin is the larger of the two although Mongomo boasts a new airport and is, coincidentally (or not), the home-town of the country’s President Obiang Nguema, Africa’s longest serving head of state at 35 years. At least the hosts will not be blighted by problems afflicting the World Cup of Olympics in that a fortune has not been spent on ‘white elephant’ new stadia that are then never used.

Still, the roads are inadequate and there is a shortage of hotels, meaning that at least the risk of a spread of Ebola that brought the cup to Equatorial Guinea is reduced.

Spending on stadia and infrastructure are not the only area in which the hosts have been investing with furious allegations being made about their ‘naturalization’ programme as they have sought to strengthen their on-pitch performance.

Indeed, as recently as May they were barred from the competition by CAF for fielding a Cameroonian player while there have also been allegations of them attempting to naturalise up to nine Brazilians!

Ironically only one of the three nations seriously affected by Ebola has qualified, that being Guinea. Having been forced to play all their qualifiers in Casablanca (yes, Morroco), at least they will be used to playing away from home.

In another strange twist of fate, many of the traditional powerhouses and multiple winners of this competition have also failed to qualify. Seven times winners Egypt were eliminated after a bruising defeat to Senegal in Cairo that will be remembered most for the unsporting behaviour of the home fans who used lasers, flares and smoke bombs to distract the opposition. This was followed by a tame defeat in Tunisia as the Egyptians seemed more interested in bickering with the referee.

Also eliminated were defending champions, Nigeria, despite playing in the new Arena of Uyo. Crucial defeats against Congo and Sudan meant that the Super Eagles will be unable to retain their crown.

South Africa topped the group based around a solid defence inspired by new coach Shakes Mashaba. The Bafana Bafana’s only loss has come off the pitch with the tragic shooting of goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa.

Qualifying has also witnessed a Prime Minister arranging free tickets to boost a nation. Lt Col Isaac Zida stepped in to help his beleaguered nation and inspire the Stallions of Burkina Faso to the finals.

The hosts kick-off on Saturday against Congo while favourites, the Ivory Coast, begin their campaign against Guinea who are ranked higher by FIFA (at 39 in the world) than you might think!

The Elephants boast Manchester City’s powerful midfielder, Yaya Toure, who will be the first of the Premier League holder’s players to be able to line up alongside Manual Pellegrini’s latest transfer target, Wilfried Bony. Their only ever victory in this competition was in 2012 when co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea.

FIFA’s highest-ranked team to qualify is Algeria (18) who will be hoping that Nabil Bentaleb can reproduce more consistently the flashes of brilliance he has shown for Tottenham Hotspur this season.

However, the draw has not been kind to them in producing a mouth-watering Group C where they will not only face a resurgent South Africa but also another strong side in Senegal who could field an intriguing attack comprising Papiss Cisse, Mane and Mame Diouf.

Another side to watch out for will be Ghana, the multiple-winners who are managed by the experienced Avram Grant.

If the top teams from these groups are able to survive the tough group stages then expect one of them to go all the way. Otherwise Tunisia could benefit from being able to ease their way in.

The competition is sure to throw up thrills and spills on and off the pitch, although hopefully, with checks being conducted at airports and football grounds, I hope this will not be related to Ebola. Whatever the tournament brings the fact it is being played at all is testimony to the spirit and desire of the players, nations and organisers.

Once finished CAF will then have to find the following hosts with Libya already having withdrawn from the next tournament.