Egyptian authorities race to contain fallout from fatal telecom fire    Egypt's electricity, public enterprises ministers discuss expanding renewables in energy-intensive industries    Escalation in Gaza as ceasefire talks remain fragile amid mounting humanitarian crisis    UK, Egypt strengthen cooperation on green transition, eco-tourism, and environmental investments    Egypt's bourse, clearing house say settlement, connectivity unharmed by Ramsis blaze    CPME shareholders approve EGP 2.8bn acquisition of Qardy, Catalyst Partners Holding    Philippines' unemployment rate falls in May '25    Gold prices dip on stronger US Treasury yields    Egypt, Somalia leaders discuss strategic partnership, counterterrorism in New Alamein    Egypt, UNDP discuss expanded cooperation on medical waste management, human development    CIB finances Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show redevelopment with EGP 963m loan    Egypt's PM, Uruguay's president discuss Gaza, trade at BRICS summit    Egypt, Uruguay eager to expand trade across key sectors    Egypt, Norway hold informal talks ahead of global plastic treaty negotiations    Greco-Roman tombs with hieroglyphic inscriptions discovered in Aswan    Global tour for Korean 'K-Comics' launches in Cairo with 'Hellbound' exhibition    Egypt teams up with private sector to boost university rankings    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Egypt condemns deadly terrorist attack in Niger        Egypt's EHA, Schneider Electric sign MoU on sustainable infrastructure    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's EDA joins high-level Africa-Europe medicines regulatory talks    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Egypt's FM inspects Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Soccer on the side - No favourite for Africa title
Published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 27 - 01 - 2015

Dropping Morocco as the host of the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament just months before its start always meant that whoever took on the responsibility of stepping into Morocco's shoes would have their work cut out for them.
The Moroccan Football Federation had insisted on either postponing or cancelling the tournament, fearing the possible spread of the Ebola virus. Exactly 53 days prior to the start of the competition it was announced that Equatorial Guinea would host this year's edition and that the Moroccan national team would not be allowed to take part as punishment of the country's Federation.
A lot has been said about the quality of the hotels, the training facilities and even the lack of water in some cities hosting games in Equatorial Guinea, but at the end of the day the tournament has gone ahead and has seen plenty of surprises on the pitch so far.
In Group A, the opening game of the tournament saw the hosts denied a victory as Congo scored in the 88th minute to cancel out Equatorial Guinea's 16th minute goal. Dortmund star Aubameyang also played a starring role as he guided Gabon to a 2-0 win over Burkina Faso after scoring the first goal and destroying opponents with his incredible speed for the rest of the game.
In the second round of the same Group, Equatorial Guinea was once again denied a much-needed victory as its team played an entertaining but goalless draw against Burkina Faso who needed a win badly as well.
Congo managed to defeat Gabon 1-0 to reach the top of the Group with four points, while Gabon are now second with three points and the hosts lie third with two points from two draws. Finally, Burkina Faso occupies the last and fourth place with one point from two games.
In Group B, the Tunisian side has been making a good impression so far as it sits top of the table after two games after drawing 1-1 against Cape Verde in the opening game before coming from behind to defeat Zambia 2-1 in the last minute in the second game.
Zambia and DR Congo drew their first game 1-1 before Congo drew against Cape Verde in its second game as well, a result that saw both teams collect two points from two games while Zambia has got just one point from its draw against DR Congo.
In Group C, or the “group of death” as it is called because it contains four giants in the form of Algeria, Senegal, Ghana and South Africa, it is extremely hard to predict who will qualify after two rounds have been played.
Senegal managed to come from behind in its opening game against Ghana to win 2-1 thanks to a last-minute goal from star striker Moussa Sow, claiming a very important victory in a group of that level.
Four second-half goals saw Algeria come from behind to defeat a very spirited and energetic South African side 3-1 despite being second best for most of the game.
Ghanaian captain Asamoah Gyan, who missed his side's first game as a result of malaria, scored a 92nd minute winner against Algeria in the second game to all of a sudden make his team the favourites to qualify for the next round with either Senegal or Algeria.
His team is now second with three points and will face the weakest side in the Group, South Africa, in its last game.
The leaders Senegal could not get the better of South Africa and drew 1-1 to ensure that fans will be guaranteed a thrilling finale to this Group, especially in the game between Algeria and Senegal when both teams will be playing for their lives.
Group D, the last group, is without doubt the strangest in the tournament so far. Two rounds have passed, four games have been played, and the outcome of all four games has been the same: 1-1 draws. This ensures that the third and final round of the group stages will be as thrilling as it gets.
The first game of the Group saw Ivory Coast score a late equaliser against Guinea, and another very late goal from Cameroon saw it snatch a point against Mali. Round two once again saw a mediocre Ivory Coast side score in the last two minutes against Mali, while two first-half goals saw Cameroon and Guinea leave with one point each.
Who will make it out of this Group is the most-asked question in the group stages right now.
The writer is a freelance journalist.


Clic here to read the story from its source.