Zambia v Ivory Coast.

The African Cup of Nations concludes tonight in Libreville for the final between Zambia and Ivory Coast.

Many people expected Ivory Coast to make it to the final and they have done just. Can the elephants win the whole tournament and claim their first African Cup of Nations since 1992 or can Zambia claim their first win in their first final appearance. Ivory Coast have not conceded a goal all tournament so breaking down the Ivorian back line will be tough for the Zambians however the likes of Emmanuel Mayuka and Chris Katongo will be up to the task. Zambia defied the odds to reach the final first shocking the tournament by beating the much fancied Senegal 2-1 in their opening game and winning group b following some more positive results. They then shocked again, Emmanuel Mayuka grabbing a winner 10 minutes from the end to defeat one of the favorites, Ghana.

It shall be great game that may go right to the wire, but there is no question who the favorites are it's all about Zambia stepping up to the mark and maybe they can steal the victory with all the pressure on the Ivory Coast.

Ghana v Tunisia

The much fancied Ghana take on Tunisia in Franceville in the last quarter final of the day.

Ghana qualified as expected in first place in group a brushing off ,Mali and Guinea to claim top spot and the Ghanians haven't hit full gear yet so it expected for them to come all guns blazing. The Tunisians on the other hand eased past their north African rivals, Morocco to seal a 2nd place finish in group c and will be reliant on M'Sakni to produce similar magic that allowed him to score the 2 against Morocco in Tunisia's opening match.
I expect the Ghanians to take the victory in this game although the Tunisia have performed decently so far, they could push the Ghanians to penalties. However it is certain it will be nothing short of a thriller.

Equatorial Guinea v Ivory Coast

Equatorial Guinea play their first African cup of nations quarter final after qualfying in 2nd place in group A. 

 Not many expected Equatorial Guinea to make the quarter finals however good heart and character seen them qualify with a game to spare, beating Libya and Senegal in order to qualify. The African minnows should give the Ivory Coast a good game as it certain the crowd will be behind them all the way. They have also proved to be not a bad side hence the reason they qualfied for the quarters, with the likes of Randy and Juvenal being key players in the Equatorial Guinea side. We cannot of course rule out the Ivory Coast from this tie as they did qualify for the quarters with a 100% record however they haven't really shown the quality expected from their top players who play in European league's.

The hosts will be expected to say their goodbye's in the game after it is felt the supreme talent of the Ivory Coast team will prove to be too strong for a spirted, Equatorial Guinea side.

Zambia v Sudan

Sudan play their first quater final in the African Cup of Nations since they won the tournament in 1970. 

Sudan qualified for the quarter finals following their first win in African Cup of Nations since 1970 with a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso on Monday night. Also relying on a 2-0 win for Ivory Coast over Angola to go through on goal difference. Meanwhile, Zambia sealed their quarter final place and top spot in group A with a 1-0 win over co-hosts Equatorial Guinea, Chris Katongo grabbing the only goal of the game. Zambia will be however competing in their second quater finals in the tournament in a row after qualfying in 2010 in Angola. Although this time they will hopeful to get to the Semi final.


The game should be an open affair however it seems like it will go the way of Zambia as Sudan have failed to show any real quality only beating a poor Burkina Faso side 2-1. Zambia have shown real quality since the opening game with players like Chris Katongo and Emmanuel Mayuka making a real impact on the tournament.

Angola v Burkina Faso.

After hosting the 2010 African Cup of Nations, Angola can focus on being successful in a tournament on foreign soil.

With a fair few players, playing the top european league's such as Manucho, much recognisable from his days at Manchester United. It would be fair to put Angola as possible outsiders for the tournament. Angola do have a decent frontline with Flavio and Djamal being the most notable, playing for Lierse and Porto respectively.

Burkina Faso on the other hand have failed to win a game on foreign soil in the African Cup of Nations. After their only victories came when hosting the comeptition in 1998. The player to watch for Burkina Faso is Alain Traore, who play's for Auxerre as a midfielder. The young 23 year old midfielder, boasts bags of potential and has being a key part of the Auxerre midfield. Burkina Faso also have player on English shores with Betrand Traore, the younger brother of Alain. However he is unknown as he plays in the Chelsea acadmey after being signed from Auxerre.

My Prediction: Angola 2-2 Burkina Faso

Ivory Coast v Sudan.

Ivory Coast go into the African Cup of Nations as favourites, the question is can they handle the pressure?

With the likes of Egypt, Cameroon and Nigeria, who share 15 titles between them, absent. The spotlight turns to the the elephants, who's sqaud consists of many of the top players in Europe such as Didier Drogba and the Toure brothers it is difficult to say any other outcome in the tie with Sudan other than the Ivory Coast taking an enthatic victory. However the Ivory Coast have become increasingly worse since being 'bigged up' after making it the final in 2006, the Ivory Coast have managed to finish in the Semi's in 2008 and the quarter finals in 2010. Surely not only the group stages for a side that boast such tremendous talent.

However on the side of the Sudanese, much of its sqaud it unrecogniseable to the average football fan. With all of their players competing in the Sudanese league. The last time Sudan made the tournament in 2008 they failed to register a goal conceding 11 goals in the 3 group games they played.

My Prediction: Ivory Coast 2-0 Sudan. 

 

Senegal 1-2 Zambia

Two goals in the first half from Zambia stun Senegal. 

Zambia took just eleven minutes to stun the Senegalse after Mayuka headed it past Condoul off the freekick and it was cue the African celebration from the Zambian players. Zambia then doubled their lead on 20 minutes when Kalaba beat the offside trap to cooly slot past the onrushing, Condoul.

Senegal then had a lifeline when N'Doye latched on the end of a N'daw's cross to fire past the Zambian keeper, Mweene. However this turned out to be merely a consiltation after Senegal wasted their chances. Most notably when Demba Ba hit the bar with a header following a cross from fellow Newcastle teammate, Papiss Cisse.