No quarter to be given in last eight
JOHANNESBURG: There will be new Africa Cup of Nations champion crowned at Stade de l’Amitie in Libreville on February 5 after Ivory Coast were bundled out of the group stage. The man who guided the Elephants to that success in 2015, Herve Renard, denied the Ivorians passage to the last eight with his new team Morocco.
The French coach is looking to win his third Afcon with three different nations having lifted this trophy for the first time with Zambia five years ago. But Renard and the Atlas Lions must first get past seven-time African champions Egypt in a north African derby that’s the pick of the quarter-finals.
Tomorrow: Burkina Faso v Tunisia, Stade de l’Amitie, 6pm
The Stallions topped Group A, ahead of hosts Gabon and four-time African champions Cameroon, without their talisman Jonathan Pitroipa and Jonathan Zongo. The pair ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
But that hasn’t stopped the Burkinabe from reaching the last eight to set-up a meeting with Tunisia. Prejuce Nakoulma replaced Pitroipa to shine in his place. Nakoulma scored after coming on for Pitroipa against Gabon and then set up Bertrand Traore in the 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau.
The Tunisians can count on Youssef Msakni for inspiration. The Qatar-based midfielder destroyed Zimbabwe with his slick touches and skills. Msakni is the heartbeat of the powerful attack that the Eagles of Carthage boast.
Tomorrow: Senegal v Cameroon, Stade de Franceville, 9pm
It feels like 2002 all over again for the Lions of Teranga. Aliou Cisse (then captain) is once again leading a talented group with Tony Sylva (goalkeeper) and Omar Daf (defender) there to tighten things up at the back.
But this time around, Cisse (as the coach), Sylva (goalkeeper coach) and Daf (assistant coach) make up the technical staff instead of playing while that talented genius, Sadio Mane, leads from the front. Senegal’s party in 2002 was crashed by Cameroon in the final of the Afcon. Tonight have a chance to make up for that.
Sunday: Democratic Republic of Congo v Ghana, Stade d’Oyem, 6pm
The Black Stars’ coach Avram Grant might have his lucky beard but Florent Ibenge is DRC’s source of inspiration and manufacturer of their luck. Ibenge is looking to improve on the third-place finish he guided the Leopards to in the last edition. That run came just after he had taken DRC side AS Vita to second place in the Caf Champions League. Last year he took the home-based Elephants to firstplace in the African Nations Championship. Having powered their way to the last eight, the DRC could surprise the continent and win the main prize.
Grant has ditched his lucky blue T-shirt, that Ghana didn’t lose a single match in regulation time when he wore in the last Afcon, for his lucky beard that his daughter said will help him win the Afcon if he doesn’t shave it. Apart from the beard, Ghana have an experienced squad that has shown flexibility and ability to grind out results.
Sunday: Egypt v Morocco, Stade de Port-Gentil, 9pm
The first north Africa derby of this tournament, between Tunisia and Algeria, produced fireworks in the group stage. The second will take it up a notch with a spot in the last four up for grabs. The Pharaohs’ passage to the last eight was an emotional triumph. It came exactly six years to the day that Egypt was hit by the Arab Spring that led to the overthrowing Mubarak.
That political turmoil also hit their national team who missed the last three editions. A solid defence, that is yet to be breached, has been the Pharaohs’ foundation with Essam El-Hadary key in goal. of Honsi