Group A: African Cup of Nations 2010 Preview (Algeria, Angola, Malawi, Mali)

The tournament preview is up, you’ve seen the African Cup of Nations 2010 match schedule, now let’s crack onto the group previews. Here is our team-by-team guide to the competition, which kicks off in Angola this weekend.

Group A

Algeria – Angola – Malawi – Mali

Algeria

Algeria is a country that has been sat until recently in the shadows of international wilderness. After a World Cup appearance in 1986 and a Cup of Nations triumph in 1990, the Desert Foxes disappeared off the international scene for a number of years, absent on the world stage with failure to even qualify for the last two African Cup of Nations competitions. But in 2010 the Foxes rise again. In an intense, heated, bloody battle with staunch rivals Egypt, Algeria came through a playoff to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 24 years. Now, with the wind in their sails, they head to Angola seeking further glory.

Algeria’s recent success is based on solid foundations. They defend from the back, in numbers, and are diligent, disciplined and well organised. ‘Magic’ Madjid Bougherra (Glasgow Rangers), the 2009 Algerian player of the year is the defensive lynchpin, but Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth),Rafik Halliche (Nacional) and Antar Yahia (Bochum), goal hero against Egypt, are all important components of a sturdy backline. Opponents will need extra craft to break Algeria down.

Attacking-wise the Fennecs are not as well blessed, but coach Rabah Saadane still has options. VfL Wolfsburg’s Karim Ziani is the creative fulcrum in attacking midfield, while Mourad Meghni (Lazio), Blackpool’s Hameur Bouazza and Rafik Saifi (Al-Khor), joint top scorer in World Cup qualifying, will also be looked to for goals. Algeria start their campaign against Malawi after which they face Mali and then hosts Angola. I expect them to qualify, but with a second round game against either Côte D’Ivoire or Ghana looking likely it will be difficult for the Desert Foxes to go all the way.

Angola

I get an overwhelming sense with Angola that the perceived success of their tournament will depend not on the performance of the national team but on the country’s success as host nation. Staging the competition for the first time provides Angola with a huge opportunity for development and economic growth as the country continues it’s revival from a civil war that lasted 27 years and claimed up to a million lives. Angola staging the African Cup of Nations is “a vote of confidence in its stability and economic capabilities,” according to the Guardian.

Affairs on the pitch have taken a turn for the worse in recent times. After a spritely, exciting Palancas Negras side were eliminated in the quarter finals in 2008, Angola fell at the first hurdle in both World Cup 2010 and African Cup of Nations (ACoN) qualifying. Luckily for them, as hosts they qualify automatically for the latter. Even luckier for Angola has been the appointment of Portuguese coach Manuel José, who was so successful in Egypt with Al-Ahly. After his appointment in May 2009 the Black Antelopes went eight games unbeaten before defeat to Estonia in December. Still, navigating this tricky group will be a tough job.

Manucho, whose progression from Manchester United hopeful to Manchester United flop is bookended between the last two ACoNs, will be Angola’s principle goal threat along with Flavio (Al-Shabab) and national favourite Mantorras (Benfica). Whether that is enough firepower to see the hosts through remains to be seen, but with a fairly weak defence and some strong opponents in their group, Manucho and co will need to be at the top of their game if Angola are to continue a trend that has seen the last seven host nations make it to the semi-finals at least.

Malawi

Malawi are expected by many to be the whipping boys of Group A, and in all likelihood the excellently nicknamed Flames probably will live up to that expectation. Between the host nation, a strong Mali side and a resurgent Algeria you fail to really see where Malawi can make up enough points to qualify, and with one of the weakest squads in the competition coach Kinnah Phiri has a gigantic task ahead of him.

Malawi have never qualified for the World Cup and have only one previous African Cup of Nations appearance to their name, back in 1984. They were eliminated at the group stage. This year, qualification was secured when the Flames narrowly edged out Guinea, sending a population of just over 15 million crazy. However, the country’s progress has been hindered somewhat by their own president, Bingu wa Mutharika, who bizarrely refuses to allow players of dual nationality to play for the national team. This leaves a squad largely lacking in both experience and quality. The Flames’ captain Peter Mponda plies his trade in South Africa’s second division.

Ranked 99th in the world and a nation with onl
y 20,100 registered players, Malawi will most likely make up the numbers before a swift exit home. But do keep an eye on Chiukepo Msowoya (APR FC), a 21-year-old forward who was Malawi’s top scorer in qualifying.

Mali

Mali are a team to look out for this year. Making their 6th Cup of Nations appearance and their third on the spin, The Eagles have players of real quality in their squad and have landed in a slightly less daunting group than the one which saw them eliminated early in 2008. Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi has a wealth of internationally renowned talent to choose from, particularly in midfield where the world class trio of Seydou Keita (FC Barcelona), Momo Sissoko (Juventus) and Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid) will be a handful for any team in the tournament. They’ll supply the tenacity and drive, Fredi Kanoute (Sevilla) will be asked to bring the goals.

Mali are ranked 47th in the world – exactly the same position they were this time two years ago, but though FIFA consider the likes of Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana superior it would be unwise to write the Eagles off here. With one of the finest youth setups in Africa and a number of decent youngsters coming through (Modibo Maiga and Mamadou Samassa to name but two), Mali should make it out of Group A. The leadership of men like Kanoute and Diarra will be vital in shepherding Mali from there. With bookmakers offering up to 33/1 on the Eagles winning the tournament, they could well be a decent outside bet.

Prediction: A tough group to call. If the people of Angola can inspire the team on and Manuel Jose gets his tactics right they may well qualify, but otherwise I see Mali and Algeria going through.

See here for our Group A roundup: Mali Out, Algeria & Angola qualify.

African Cup of Nations 2010, African Football, Algeria, Angola, Malawi, Mali