The 2015 Orange Africa Cup Of Nations has been showcasing the best that Africa has to offer on the soccer pitch. Hastilly organised in Equatorial Guinea after Morocco withdrew citing ebola fears, shocks, drama and emerging talent have eclipsed the countless draws that have been a regular feature at the biennial tournament.
Algeria, Ivory Coast and Ghana are regarded as the favourites to win the unpredictable tournament. But it is Algeria where most betting men are putting their money.
“Algeria pushed Germany more than any other team at the World Cup in Brazil last year,” said former Peruvian national player Augusto Palacios, who now coaches in Joburg.
“They are a religious team and so are very disciplined. They are also very organised and structured. Most of their players are in the local league. For me, Algeria are the team to beat at the Afcon tournament.”
Algeria, under French coach Christian Gourcuff, steamed through the Afcon qualifiers with five wins in six games after an excellent World Cup.
One of the team’s stars, Porto winger Yacine Brahimi, was recently voted the BBC’s 2014 African footballer of the year. Brahimi scored his first international goal in the group stage against South Korea in the World Cup last year. He has scored six goals in 15 appearances for the Portuguese club.
Algeria are part of the Group C “group of death” which includes the “physical” Senegal, “well-organised” Ghana and South Africa, who are looking confident after not having lost in 11 games, said Palacios.
The Elephants of Ivory Coast are the team to take it all this year. They have a collection of excellent players, including brothers Yaya Touré and Kolo Touré, Cheick Tioté and Wilfried Bony.
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