Football Fever - Africa Cup of Nations [FM2008]

[treva]

Groups Announced
Two big guns pulled out in Group A

The four groups have been revealed for the 2008 Africa Cup
of Nations. Ivory Coast, Egypt and Senegal have all been placed
in Group A, which will provide great viewing for the supporters in
this eagerly awaited competition. Some feared that the group
stages may not be that exciting, but this draw has created a
great chance for the group stages to create more importance
than in past competitions.

In Group B the hosts Ghana have a tough challenge
against Morocco, South Africa and Congo. Ghana have
been named as one of the favourites to lift the trophy
this year, with large home support. South Africa,
Morocco and Congo have a big chance to make the quarter's.
Morocco haven't made it to the quarter's since 1998, South
Africa 2002 and Congo 1992, so it's a huge chance for one
of these sides to get through for the first time in many
years. Should be an interesting group to watch.

The groups were drawn last night in Ghana's capital Accra.
With both finalists from the 2006 competition, Egypt and
Ivory Coast drawn into Group A, the competition has already
been given a lift. Senegal and Gabon join the two heavyweights,
looking to cause some upsets, by knocking one of the big guns
out. On paper you would say it's Ivory Coast that have the better
players, with the likes of premiership quality in Drogba and Zakora,
but the team spirit and determination of Egypt showed that it's not
all about class by winning the 2006 competition. It certainly should
produce some fireworks when these two meet in Group A.

Group C saw Cameroon put in with Guinea, Mali and Rwanda, in
which Cameroon are expected to go on through with particular
ease. Mali and Guinea are expected to fight it out for the 2nd
quarter final spot. Both of the sides went through in the same
qualifying group, Mali topping with 15 points and Guinea managed
to grab the best 2nd place spot to also get through to the main
competition. Cameroon have been classed as one of the favourites
to lift the trophy, and so Mali, Guinea and Rwanda will be trying
their best to stop them from grabbing all the Group C headlines.

The final Group produced Libya, Nigeria, Tunisia and Zimbabwe.
Nigeria and Tunisia are the favourites to progress from this group,
but Zimbabwe and Libya could be dark horses. With this group out
of the limelight, you could see Zimbabwe and Libya sneak in to the
quarter's un-noticed. Nigeria and Tunisia will hope to go through
without any slip-ups against these lower nations.

Overall the draw has produced some exciting groups, which should
provide plenty of quality football as well as fanatical support. The
pick of the games are Egypt vs Ivory Coast on 21st Jan and Nigeria
vs Tunisia on 20th Jan. Lets hope that this year's Africa Cup of Nations
can put this prestigious competition on the worldwide football scene.

The full Group lists:

Group A
Egypt (holders)
Gabon
Ivory Coast
Senegal

Group B
Congo
Ghana (hosts)
Morocco
South Africa

Group C
Cameroon
Guinea
Mali
Rwanda

Group D
Libya
Nigeria
Tunisia
Zimbabwe

--------------------------------

This is a Jaz and Trev story ​

 

[Jaztheman]

Fantastic start. Love group A, going to be the best group by far in my opiniong, 'The Gorup Of Death'.

Hope we can continue this good start.

 

[Kiko_97]

good luck m8s

 

[covlad-99]

Wow great start, very neat! Group A, what a group. Egypt won this year's in real life, by beating Cameroon in teh final, so lets see if this mirrors what really happened

 

[sd92]

Best of luck with this story, looking very interesting

 

[Jaztheman]

Group A
A look at Group A in detail

Egypt
Hosts and winners of the last African Cup of Nations, Egypt have an incredibly strong side.
With players such as Mido( Middlesborough), Ghaly (Tottenham) and Shawky (Middlesborough) who
all play in the premiership, Egypt will be one of the teams to beat. Only ranked 39th in the World
Egypt are surprisingly one of the favourites to win the competition. Egypt have lots of history in this
competition as they have won it the most times, a respectable 5 times.

Player to Watch: Mohammed Shawky - The defensive midfielder has
already won 42 caps for Egypt by the age of 26. Best known for his great free-kicks and long throws
Mohammed, will be most dangerous when given some freedom and allowed to move the ball around the park.

Group Prediction: 2nd


Gabon
Unlucky Gabon have been drawn into the group of death, although they could kick up a fuss. They may
have never been in a final but they are in the best form (As are Tunisia and Morocco) coming into the
tournament. Player Daniel Cousin (Rangers) finished as top goalscorer in the Qualifying rounds with
Aubameyang (A.C Milan) getting the most assists. Even with all this form I can't see them getting any
points in this group, unfortunately for them.

Player to Watch: Daniel Cousin - The fairly determined striker has only
won 18 caps for Gabon, but has scored 14 goals in the process, only 2 goals off Gabon's top goalscorer
Nguéma. Known for his exquisite heading and penalty taking, it is also to be said that Daniel is very strong
physically, and will be hard to stop.

Group Prediction: 4th


Ivory Coast
Runner up in the last African Cup of Nations, Ivory Coast are expected by many to go one further and to
win the competition this time around. 1 time champions Ivory Coast will be hard to stop with more than 15
players playing for top clubs in Europe, more than any other team. Kolo Touré (Arsenal), Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
and Kader Keita (Lyon) are all expected to help take Ivory Coast to success as they are the best players.
With so much depth in every position, especially attacking positions, I can't see anyone in the tournament
beating or coming close to eating them.

Player to Watch: Didier Drogba - Arguably the best out and out
striker in the whole competition. Amazingly he was last season's Premiership Golden Boot winner and African
Footballer of the year in 2006. Best known for his overall physical package, he also can pop a great shot
from almost anywhere. He is also great friends with Key player Daniel Cousin of Gabon.

Group Prediction: 1st


Senegal
Senegal have only ever been in one final, that was in 2002, and have been hosts once. They come into this
African Cup of Nations though in great form from the Qualifiers as they came through from their group unbeaten.
Like Ivory Coast, Senegal have back up for every position and I can see them sneaking through to the next round
in 2nd place.

Player to Watch: Mamadou Niang - Hard to choose Senegal's player to watch but
I think Niang has the most about him. Niang scored 3 goals in 2 Qualifiers and showed how good he can play. The
Marseille player is known for his pace of the ball and his great dribbling ability. I think he will be at the foundations
of all Senegal's wins in this African Cup
of Nations.

Group Prediction: 3rd

Didier Drogba - Will be a huge force up front for Ivory Coast​

 

[covlad-99]

Nice update. I think Sammy Eto'o and Didier Drogba will be the main men, and I think they will be in the final too. Ivory Coasts v Cameroon.

 

[Deleted member 13648]

Hurry up and get to Group D, I want to boast about Oba's immenseness.

 

[evertonfan]

Yakubu > Martins

 

[Deleted member 13648]

Coco Pops > Frosties

 

[H0wZ4T!]

Brown sauce > Ketchup

Good start, liking the groupings.

 

[freddiw]

hahaha brown sauce...,keep up the good work this is a good start

my money is on senegal for overall champions

 

[Pak_cricketer]

Go Egypt!

 

[Kiko_97]

Nani > C.Ronaldo
Kaka > Ronaldo (fat arse)

 

[Monty57]

Good luck Trev and Jaz - Group A looks like its going to be a cracker.