African Cup of Nations 2008: Quarter Finals pt.1

24 games, 70 goals and four appetising quarter finals on the way. To this point the 2008 African Cup of Nations has been simmering nicely; now is the time for it to be brought to the boil starting with the West African derby between Nigeria and hosts Ghana. The relative comfort of the group stage is over. The knockout phase is here.

Firstly a look at the ties thrown up in the last eight:

Ghana vs Nigeria

Côte d’Ivoire vs Guinea

Egypt vs Angola

Tunisia vs Cameroon

It should undoubtedly prove an absorbing set of matches involving a potent mélange of both Africa’s footballing aristocracy, in the likes of Nigeria, Ghana and Egypt, and the new breed, exemplified most starkly by Angola who will take on the holders in their first ever appearance in the knockout stages.

Quarter Finals – Sunday 3rd February 2008

What better way to start the proceedings in the last eight than with the West African derby. The rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana is fierce enough, but the hostilities will be all the more given a place in the last four is up for grabs on Sunday. The Super Eagles were lucky to make it through their group in the first place after turning in some lacklustre performances; now they have the opportunity to eliminate the hosts on their own soil. An interesting sub-plot on the pitch will be the clash between Chelsea midfielders Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel, both of whom will be galvanised by scoring in their respective nation’s final group game.

Nigeria midfielder Seyi Olofinjana has already stoked the fires in the buildup to the match, dubbing it a ‘revenge mission’ for his country. Keen to write the wrongs of a 4-1 thrashing the last time the two sides met, Olofinjana et al will look to produce what would feel like the sweetest retribution of all: dumping Ghana out in their own backyard. The Black Stars will no doubt have a boisterous crowd on their side and Accra is a fitting stage for what could go down as the game of the tournament. Historically Ghana have the edge with 24 wins to the Super Eagles’ 19 in clashes involving the two sides, but the hosts have not won in a competitive fixture between the two since 1992. Nigeria can perhaps count themselves fortunate to have got this far – if ever there was time for a big performance it is now.

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Later that same day Côte d’Ivoire meet Guinea in Sekondi. As far as I am concerned the Elephants have been the tournament’s most impressive side to date, and nine points and eight goals in qualifying from Group B has done little to contradict that argument. Didier Drogba is gaining match fitness and confidence and looks to be coming to form at exactly the right time (he is yet to complete 90 minutes in the competition however), while those around him are showing the team spirit, composure and clinical ruthlessness that justifies their position as one of the favourites. They were in imperious form against Mali winning 3-0 despite having already qualified, and in Yaya Toure they have arguably the tournament’s best player so far. There are injury doubts over his brother Kolo but they still possess the squad to cope.

Guinea made it out of Group A largely thanks to an energetic and imposing victory over Morocco, but that performance aside they have not really made a name for themselves in Ghana< span lang="EN-GB"> thus far. They were valiant but ultimately defeated in the opening tournament game against the hosts and trudged to an unconvincing 1-1 draw against Namibia, though it was still adequate to see them qualify. Victory over Côte d’Ivoire would certainly make people stand up and take notice of the Syli Nationale.

Their biggest problem going into the quarter finals is the absence of top dog Pascal Feindouno. The St.Etienne frontman picked up a needless red card for a petulant kick aimed at Morocco’s El-Armine Erbate in his side’s 3-2 win, and will be forced to sit out the Côte d’Ivoire clash. His absence was notable against Namibia simply because, as leader of the pack and the main creative link between midfield and attack he offers so much. Without him Sunday’s game in Sekondi could prove an uphill battle for Guinea. Ismael Bangoura and Fodé Mansare in particular must now carry the hopes of a nation.

Next up we look at Monday’s Quarter Finals…

African Cup of Nations 2008, Cote d\'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria