The African Nations Cup starts tomorrow. The winner of this tournament is tough to predict, but I think it is time that the sleeping giants DR Congo to wake up, and make their mark and win this tournament. Have your say. What a contest it will be. The surprise pack will be Libya.
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Group A: Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Ivory Coast
This is a tough group, too close to call, although many are inclined to install World-Cup finalists Ivory Coast as marginal favourites. That would leave the fight for the second knock-out berth a two-way straight fight between traditional foes Morocco and Egypt. The Atlas Lions lost to Tunisia in the finals in 2004 and will therefore be looking to at least match that achievement, while the Pharaohs need no additional motivation to do well than the fact that they are the hosts. Expect Libya to throw a spanner in there. The North Africans will relish their underdog tag and will look to claim at least one major scalp.
Group B: Angola, Cameroon, DR Congo, Togo
The group features two previous winners in Cameroon and DR Congo and the same number of surprise 2006 World Cup finalists. Cameroon's failure to qualify for the World Cup is being dismissed as a minor blip, put down to complacency, but most importantly a wake-up call. Thus many have no qualms about installing the Indomitable Lions as the favourites to win the group, with a toss of the coin to decide the other knock-out berth. Angola and Togo may have qualified for Germany 2006, but they are still very green in the context of African football and lower down the hierarchy, while the DRC are prolific finalists who never seem to get it right at the tournament proper.
Group C: South Africa, Guinea, Zambia, Tunisia.
This is an open group, with defending champions Tunisia the only stand-out side and expected to win the group at a canter. The second knock-out berth is up for grabs, so expect the other three countries to cut each other's throats. South Africa would be marginal favourites if they didn't have so many problems during the build-up, with the defence in particular a cause for serious concern. Zambia have no big-name players but their admirable work ethic and team spirit could give them the edge, while Guinea will be motivated by pride and the desire to confound critics.
Group D: Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Zimbabwe.
This has been dubbed the group of death, with titanic clashes on the cards. Ghana and Zimbabwe are expected to suffer the backlash of Nigeria and Senegal's failure to qualify for Germany 2006, and if that prediction holds then the latter pair should progress to the knock-out phase. However Ghana, more than Zimbabwe, will have a lot to say about that. Although their chances would have diminished significantly with the loss of star midfielders Michael Essien and Sully Muntari through injury, many still tip the Black Stars to go through. That complicates matters, because the clash between Senegal and Nigeria would then assume play-off status. Zimbabwe on the other hand are the overwhelming favourites for the role of the group's whipping boys and are expected to be on the earliest flight home after the conclusion of the group stages.
Who will win?
