Yes, the ongoing NAFCON competition going on in Corte DIvory has turned to have deferred and gone absolutely contrary to all the predictions of the acclaimed seasoned forecasters and betters, including the major players in this event. The vaunted and highly predicted and expected final between Morocco, the number one in the FIFA ranking for Africa and Senegal the current champions simply disappeared yester after dismal performance by Morocco and their eventual Two Zero lose to a lowly rated South Africa.
Angola 3 red card
Namibia 0 red card
Nigeria 2
Cameroon 0
Equatorial Guinea 0
Guinea 1
Egypt 1 (7) red card
DR Congo 1 (8)
Cape Verde 1
Mauritania 0
Senegal 1 (4)
Ivory Coast 1 (5)
Mali 2
Borkina Faso 1
Morocco 0
South Africa 2
One can see that the exit of powerful countries like Cameroon, Egypt, Senegal and Morocco at this stage of the stage of the competition has left a lot of the pundits in this two year competition totally flabbergasted. Even a troublesome team like Equatorial Guinea, the held Nigeria to a draw and trashed a highly rated Ivory Coast, which are incidently also the hosts to a frightening to a 4 to Zero obviously one sided match, also was checked out at the stage.
However, these teams could go home feeling better than national teams of countries like Ghana, Tunisia, Algeria and even Tanzania. These are teams that have boasted of touching the much coveted silver ware that is the AFCON Cup one time or one way or the other.
Now they are 8. Now is another round of more intense predictions
This is a watering point fort he betters. Who and who wil come tops out of this gro up. The Super Eagles of Nigeria a three time champions of the AFCON Cup, boasting of the likes of Victor Osimeh, the African current Africas best footballer anda defence that has allowed only one goal through them in four matches so played in Ivory Coast, is one of the countries that are predicted as champion possibilities. However, the doggedness of certain teams like Cape Verde and South Africa in this competition is a clear warning that any assumptions in this this competition could be unwarranted and dangerous. Any team that could oust Egypt, Morocco, Senegal and such should be taken absolutely seriously. Therefore it will be very wise to take Ivory Coast and DR Congo, two countries that have made contact with the Cup very seriously.
It is now a clear indication that Africa has come seriously of age in global football. Most of the players happen to be playing in very powerful teams out there in Europe, South and North America and the Asias and Mediterranea.
The Fixtures for the 8
Nigeria vs Angola Friday 2 Feb 18.00
Dr Congo vs Guinea Friday 2 Feb 21.00
Mali vs Ivory Coast Saturday 3 Feb 18 00
Cape Verde vs South Africa Saturday 3 Feb 21 00
Semi Finals
Wed 7 Feb 18 00 and Wed , 7 FEB 21 00
3RD Saturday 10th Feb 21 00
Final
Sunday, 11 Feb 21 00
