African Cup of Nations 2010

[Q.]

This year the bi-annual tournament is being held in Angola from the 10th to the 31st Jan.

Just wondering if there is much interest in this from anyone (besides myself and Wedgie). Any tips for who will take the cup home?

Hoping to be in Ouagadougou to catch the Cote d'Ivoire vs Burkina Faso game and immerse myself in the local excitement. Also hoping that Burkina Faso win, so that I don't get stuck in another soccer riot

[Q.]

Sportsbet Market

Ivory Coast 3.50
Ghana 5.00
Cameroon 6.00
Nigeria 9.00
Egypt 9.00
Algeria 13.00
Tunisia 13.00
Angola 21.00
Mali 21.00
Gabon 34.00
Burkina Faso 51.00
Togo 51.00
Benin 51.00
Zambia 67.00
Malawi 101.00
Mozambique 101.00

[Il Duce]

well the favs would have to be Ivory coast, Ghana, Angola, Cameroon, Nigera, Togo the normal suspects in African Football, me I gonna say Tunisa as my dark horse also Eygpt seem to win this tournament often so dont be surprised if they win this, the other nations cant see to much comming from them to challenge any of the other nations I have mentioned.

[devilsadvocate]

Can't wait for this tourny. It's on setanta but I won't have it connected in time so will be relying on highlights.

I would have said Cameroon would win it but they left one of the prems best defenders in bassong out of their squad - numpties!!! Therefore it has to be Ghana IMO.

Nice work in getting Ouagadougou the quichy. Whilst in London I worked for a company with a mine in burkina faso so took a small interest in their national side. They have a fantastic striker but not much else backing him up. Good luck though have a ball. I did hear from our CEO that it's a bit of a shitter of a country unfortunately.

[johntheclaret]

Found this story. it's a bit dated as Coyle is still Burnley manager

AFRICAN NATIONS: HOW CLUBS SUFFER

With the squads now named for the Africa Cup of Nations we now know which players will leave the Premier League fo the best part of a month.

The 2010 event takes place in Angola from January 10-31 (the group stage ends on January 21), meaning many of the top-flight's leading names will be missing for some crucial domestic fixtures - not only during those dates, but also in the week or so leading up to the event.

As always, the tournament is bad news for many top-flight managers and fans alike. But how bad?

Wanting to find out who will be most affected, we've taken a club-by-club look at who will be hit most due to the call-ups and what they can do to combat the withdrawals.

Arsenal - Alex Song (Cameroon), Emmanuel Eboue (Ivory Coast)

Arsenal have a rich history of African players playing at the Emirates, but only have two who will be away in January this time around - Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboue. Song, who helped Cameroon to the final in 2008, will be the bigger miss for the Gunners and he looks set to miss key games, including a home clash with Manchester United and trips to Goodison Park and Villa Park - a tough month for the Gunners. Denilson will likely come in to replace him, but does he have the quality to be as influential?

Aston Villa - Moustapha Salifou (Togo)

Villa are only missing one player in Moustapha Salifou - he represents Togo. Considering Salifou is not in the Martin O'Neill's first-team plans, the Africa Cup of Nations should have little impact on their season. Habib Beye's Senegal have not qualified.

Birmingham - None

With £40million to spend, Alex McLeish will be able to focus on transfers safe in the knowledge that none of his current squad will be involved in Angola.

Blackburn - None

Blackburn have several African players but Sam Allardyce won't have to worry. Christopher Samba's Congo have not qualified and neither have Benni McCarthy's South African side. El-Hadji Diouf has quit internationals but his Senegal haven't qualified in any case.

Bolton - Danny Shittu (Nigeria)

Shittu won't be a big miss for Bolton given he's been unable to hold down a first-team place. The new Trotters boss therefore won't be too concerned - unless he suddenly sees his other centre-backs such as Gary Cahill and Zat Knight heading to the treatment room after the festive action.

Burnley - Andre Bikey (Cameroon)

Newly-promoted Burnley have made an impressive start to their season in England's top tier but they will be without the Cameroonian Andre Bikey in January. The defender will miss games away to Manchester United and at home to Chelsea. Perhaps more importantly to Owen Coyle's side, he will also be unavailable for the matches against Stoke and Bolton. Michael Duff should deputise in Bikey's absence.

Chelsea - Michael Essien (Ghana), Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou (both Ivory Coast), John Obi Mikel (Nigeria)

Chelsea are arguably the side who most fear the arrival of the Africa Cup of Nations every other January. As was the case in 2008, they will be missing four key players. Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou will represent the much-fancied Ivory Coast, so could well be missing all the way to the final, while Michael Essien (Ghana) and John Obi Mikel (Nigeria) will also be unavailable, Essien having been named despite his current injury problems. The early-season form of Drogba has been impressive and he will be sorely missed, but the Blues' January schedule looks to be reasonably favourable. A home clash with Sunderland followed by away matches to relegation contenders Hull, Birmingham and Burnley mean Carlo Ancelotti should be able to have adequate cover. The lifting of a transfer ban will also help should they need replacements.

Everton - Joseph Yobo, Ayegbeni Yakubu (both Nigeria)

The Toffees are another side, like Chelsea, where their squad will take a big hit come January because of the Nigerian contingent at Goodison Park. David Moyes has been without Victor Anichebe since February due to injury, but Joseph Yobo has played virtually every game so far this season when fit and will be badly missed. Striker Yakubu will also be pined for if Louis Saha finds himself with another injury. The one piece of good news for Toffees' fans is that South African captain Steven Pienaar will be going nowhere - his side have failed to qualify.

Fulham - John Pantsil (Ghana), Dickson Etuhu (Nigeria)

Fulham are affected due to Nigeria and Ghana's participation. Nigerian midfielder Dickson Etuhu is an important part of Roy Hodgson's team and so is full-back John Pantsil, who will represent Ghana. The pair will miss crucial home games against Portsmouth and Villa along with trips to Spurs and Blackburn so Hodgson may have to rejig his squad to cope with the losses. However, South Africa aren't involved so Kagisho Dikgacoi will be available. Likewise, Diomansy Kamara's Senegal won't be in attendance in Angola.

Hull City - Daniel Cousin (Gabon), Seyi Olofinjana (Nigeria)

Phil Brown's team will be depleted by participation in Africa. He would probably have always expected Seyi Olofinjana to be heading off, but Gabon's surprise qualification means he will also be robbed of Daniel Cousin's services too. Brown could do with a full squad during a demanding month, which includes games against Manchester United and Chelsea. The home match with Wolves is probably of higher importance and Brown will hope to have some of his men back for that. Better news for Hull fans is that Kamel Ghilas will be around - he has not been picked by Algeria - while Kamil Zayatte's Guinea have missed out and Ibrahima Sonko's Senegal are also not taking part.

Liverpool - None

At least the Africa Cup of Nations is not going to add to Rafa Benitez's woes. His transfer policy has been questioned in many quarters, but what he has not done is sign players who leave for a month biennially. David Ngog had suggested he would like to play for Cameroon, but he is not in their squad. And even Nabil El Zhar, very much a fringe player at Anfield, will be around as Morocco have not qualified.

Manchester City - Kolo Toure (Ivory Coast), Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo)

One suspects City would have had their fingers crossed for a Togo defeat in the final round of qualifiers. That could have seen them miss out. However, Emmanuel Adebayor will now join Kolo Toure in Angola. At least new boss Roberto Mancini knows the money is there if he wants to buy a replacement. Toure will arguably be a bigger miss in defence than Adebayor due to the number of attacking options City possess. Perhaps they will turn to Benjani Mwaruwari, whose Zimbabwe team have not qualified.

Manchester United - None

There will be no re-jigging required for United come January as they have no African players. Given they face Arsenal away at the end of January, that is good news for Red Devils fans. It could be a key period, especially given title rivals Chelsea who, in contrast, will be badly hit by international call-ups.

Portsmouth - Nadir Belhadj, Hassan Yebda (both Algeria), Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria), Aruna Dindane (Ivory Coast)

Financially-stricken Portsmouth take a big hit by losing four players - but it could have been even worse. In-form Kevin-Prince Boateng is staying at Fratton Park having initially declared himself available for Ghana, while John Utaka has not been picked by Nigeria. Aaron Mokoena (South Africa) and Papa Bouba Diop (Senegal) will also be around due to their nations not qualifying. Pompey are in a dogfight and games against West Ham, Fulham, Manchester City and Birmingham could be vital in the relegation scrap. With a transfer embargo still in place at present, it could be a tough time for Pompey. The likes of Danny Webber and Tommy Smith may have to step up in what will be a depleted forward line.

Stoke - None

The Potters have dodged a bullet, mainly because their African contingent is almost enitrely made up by Senegalese players. Salif Diao, Amdy Faye, Abdoulaye Faye and Ibrahima Sonko (the latter currently on loan at Hull) are all Senegal internationals but the 'Lions of Teranga' have failed to qualify. That means striker Mamady Sidibe was the only player in question - and given he is only just back after a long-term injury he's been overlooked by Mali.

Sunderland - John Mensah (Ghana)

Steve Bruce will see John Mensah leave for Angola to represent Ghana, but he has been in and out the side in any case. He looks set to miss the home games versus Bolton and Stoke and away trips to Chelsea and Everton. Unless injuries mount up in the New Year, the tournament should have limited impact on Sunderland.

Tottenham - None

Harry Redknapp must have been expecting to be without the Cameroon pair of Sebastian Bassong and Benoit Assou-Ekotto during January. However, both players will remain at the Lane, although that's not all good news for Spurs fans. Bassong was simply overlooked so will be available, but full-back Assou-Ekotto withdrew from the Cameroon squad after picking up a groin injury which means he's unlikely to play club football in January.

West Ham - None

No hammer blow from Africa for the Hammers. They will even get to keep Herita Ilunga, whose DR Congo have not qualified. That's all good news for Gianfranco Zola as his side continues to battle against the drop.

Wigan - Richard Kingson (Ghana)

There are plenty of South Americans in residence at the 'DW' but few Africans. In fact the Latics will only lose back-up keeper Richard Kingson, a key member of the Ghana squad, in January.

Wolves - None

Wolves have nothing to fear from the Africa Cup of Nations. Defender George Elokobi has declared his interest in playing for Cameroon but so far he's yet to be capped by the Indomitable Lions and was left out of their squad for the tournament

[Bully]

togo team fired apon with machine guns i have heard in the news?

[Dirko]

togo team fired apon with machine guns i have heard in the news?

Yep, a couple of blokes hurt. Adebayor is OK, but he did dive down pretty quick once the firing started......

[fish]

The Togo national team bus has been machine-gunned by Angolan rebels on the Congolese border ahead of the African Nations Cup.

The attack happened just after players entered Cabinda.

Two players are reported to be injured and a Togolese sports ministry spokesman in Lome said that the bus driver had been killed in the attack. The Sparrow Hawks are in the country ahead of the African tournament, which gets under way on Sunday.

"The Angolan driver was killed on the spot," the Togolese official told Reuters.

"I am fine but several players are in a bad way," FC Nantes striker Thomas Dossevi told Radio Monte Carlo."We are still at hospital. We were attacked like dogs and had to hide for 20 minutes under the seats to avoid the bullets. We were shot, although we had two police coaches on our sides. There are two injured players and also some staff."

Giving more details on the attack, he said: ''We had just crossed the border five minutes before, we were surrounded by police buses, one in front of us another behind. Everything was fine and then there was a powerful burst of gunfire.

''Everyone threw themselves under the seats and tried to protect themselves but some couldn't escape the bullets. It lasted a good 15 minutes, the police fired back but really, it was hard to handle and it still is now. I'm shocked. When we got off the bus we were asking ourselves why us and not others? We were asking ourselves what had happened, we were crying and thanking God.''

According to RMC, the attack happened around 3.15pm just after players entered Cabinda, one of the four host venues of the African Cup of Nations and an oil producing region that has been the target of attacks in the past by a separatist group called FLEC.

The Angolan minister in charge of affairs in Cabinda, Antonio Bento Bembe, called the attack an act of terrorism. However, he denied the attack on the squad had been done by FLEC rebels.

"FLEC no long exists, the attack comes from certain individuals who want to cause problems for us," he said.

But FLEC later claimed responsibility for the attack.

FIFA released a statement speaking of their concern about the attack.

"FIFA and its President, Joseph S. Blatter, are deeply moved by today's incidents which affected Togo's national team, to whom they express their utmost sympathy,'' said the statement.

"FIFA is in touch with the African Football Confederation (CAF) and its President, Issa Hayatou, from which it expects a full report on the situation.''

The two players injured are reported to be GSI Pontivy goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilalé and Vaslui FC defender Serge Akakpo. Others reported injured are an assistant coach, a doctor and a journalist who was following the team.

Romanian side Vaslui confirmed Akakpo was shot and badly injured in the attack, although said the 22-year-old was out of danger after being treated by doctors.

A statement on the club's website read: ''Badly injured in an ambush in Angola, Serge Akakpo is now out of danger. Akakpo was struck by two bullets in the attack and has lost much blood. His condition was stabilised by doctors. FC Vaslui have been in touch with relatives of the player, who confirmed he has undergone surgery, which went very well.''

Alaixis Romao, the Grenoble player, told RMC he could count seven people injured and admitted Togo are now likely to pull out of the tournament. "We are not thinking about possible actions yet, but it's true no one wants to play," he said. "We are not capable. Before everything we have to think of the health of our injured. There was a lot of blood on the floor. We haven't had a lot of updates about their health since they were dispatched to local hospitals. In this case, we think of families, of the people we love because we really could have died there."

Midfielder Richmond Forson believes the number of injuries could have been much worse had the gunmen not originally fired on the wrong bus.

''It was the bus carrying our baggage which was in front of us which they fired on the most,'' he told Canal Plus. ''They thought we were in the bus in front.

''Fortunately for us. That's what saved us. Then they fired on our driver and those who were in front. The windscreen was shattered by the first bullets. It's disgusting to take bullets for a football match.''

Emmanuel Adebayor was unhurt in the attack, Manchester City have confirmed. A statement posted on City's official website read: ''Manchester City can confirm that striker Emmanuel Adebayor is uninjured after this afternoon's attack on the Togo team bus in Angola. Club officials have spoken with Adebayor and though shaken by the terrible events, he is unharmed.

"The club would like to send its condolences to the family of the driver and sends best wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. We are currently in talks with the Football Association over what may happen next.''

A spokesman for Portsmouth, who have four players away on African Nations Cup duty, said: "We will be asking the FA to talk to FIFA to ensure the players' safety. That is paramount, and if the players' safety can't be ensured, then the players should be sent home.''

Aston Villa also confirmed that their 26-year-old midfielder Moustapha Salifou was ''shaken but okay'' following the attack.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill told his club's official website: "I am really shocked to hear about this. Obviously I am pleased and relieved to hear that Moustapha is okay and that he is not among the injured people.

"The club have been in contact with him and he has reassured us that he is okay but he is extremely shocked and upset, which he would be in these circumstances.''

The Football Association issued a statement on the situation in Angola which read: "Following the terrible attack on the Togo national team in Angola, the Football Association is in contact with various English clubs who have players involved in the African Nations Cup.

"We will continue to ensure we are kept up to speed with all developments and do all we can to assist our clubs and those players involved.

"The FA is currently contacting various organisations, including FIFA.''

Chelsea, who have Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel away on Nations Cup duty, released a statement which read: "We are sure that the national teams and federations along with the authorities are taking every necessary security precaution to ensure the safety of the players and staff.''

[brod]

I heard that that the bus was travelling without security and Togo did not inform anyone that they were travelling by land

[johntheclaret]

Togo have now withdrawn from the comp.

Not suprising really.

I guess the question now must be, how safe will the World cup be? South Africa has a lot of enemies in Africa and it is already one of the most violent countries on the planet.

[Bully]

they havent withdrawn only a few players. All the talk is about adebayor ...what about the rest of the team mates, officals etc that were under attack also. adebayor (even if he was still with Arsenal) is not the only player involved . So im not bitter DA before you ask

[RoosterMarty]

The opening game was incredible.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=285629&cc=3436

Hosts Angola led 4-0 (the 4th scored in the 74th minute) before Mali fought back to claim a 4-4 draw.

[devilsadvocate]

they havent withdrawn only a few players. All the talk is about adebayor ...what about the rest of the team mates, officals etc that were under attack also. adebayor (even if he was still with Arsenal) is not the only player involved . So im not bitter DA before you ask

Togo have withdrawn mate.

[devilsadvocate]

I heard that that the bus was travelling without security and Togo did not inform anyone that they were travelling by land

The bus was travelling through the troubled Congo/Angola border regoin under escort from Angolan security forces.

The convoy was ambushed by rebels not targeting the Togo players, but fighting against the Angolan forces. Angola still has a number of disputed regions and this was the cause of the incident - nothing to do with football or Togo.

[devilsadvocate]

The opening game was incredible.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=285629&cc=3436

Hosts Angola led 4-0 (the 4th scored in the 74th minute) before Mali fought back to claim a 4-4 draw.

WOW.
Do you have Setanta?

[Dirko]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26574736-23215,00.html

Whadda game !! After the first Mali goal, the commentator "Too little too late" LOL !!

[JK]

Bloody hell, 2 goals down after 90 minutes and escaping with a draw is outrageous ... I'm not familiar with the relative strength of each team/nation, but that has to be a massive psychological blow for the Angolans!!!

[RoosterMarty]

DA - nope still haven't got Setanta. Is it worth it?

Jabber - that commentary is gold!

[devilsadvocate]

DA - nope still haven't got Setanta. Is it worth it?

Jabber - that commentary is gold!

Setanta apparently have the rights to the ACN and are showing every game live.

I don't think it's shown anywhere else. Certainly not live on Foxtel

$13/month (as part of your foxtel subscription) is definitely worth it during proper football season. But I'd say over the summer it'd be a waste of the equivalent of a 6 pack.

[Il Duce]

Group A
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Malawi 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3
Angola 1 0 1 0 4 4 0 1
Mali 1 0 1 0 4 4 0 1
Algeria 1 0 0 1 0 3 –3 0

Angola 4 – 4 Mali
Malawi 3 – 0 Algeria

Group B
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Burkina Faso 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Côte d'Ivoire 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Ghana 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Togo withdrew from the tournament after the attack on their bus upon arriving in Cabinda

Côte d'Ivoire 0 – 0 Burkina Faso

Group C
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Egypt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nigeria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mozambique 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Benin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Group D
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Cameroon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gabon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Zambia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tunisia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0