Four West African countries; Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea; Egypt and Tunisia, and two Central African countries; Cameroon and DR Congo will continue the soccer battle at the African Cup of Nations tournament to see who grabs the trophy.Group A leaders, Egypt, will face Group B second placed team DR Congo, while Group A leaders the Indomitable Lions, with a 100 percent record, will settle scores with Ivory Coast.
Guinea, which topped Group C chart, will meet Group D second team, Senegal, while Nigeria will challenge cup holders, Tunisia.
Fireworks
The fire works in the next Africa Nations Cup encounter will be lit by Cameroon and Ivory Coast. Both teams contested furiously for a World Cup slot, with the Ivorians snatching the ticket at the jaws of the Lions. While the Lions will be equipped to revenge their non-qualification for the World Cup, Ivory Coast will be gearing up to avenge the defeats suffered against Cameroon.
The Lions, which is the darling team of the competition, will want to prove to the world that they deserved the World Cup ticket. The squad is inspired by speedy and calculative Samuel Eto'o Fils, young and talented Makoun, commander Rigobert Song, composed Soulemanou, long ranger, Njitap Geremi, vivacious Alioum Saidou and the rest will be a call for concern.
Coach Artur Jorge has to maintain the same tranquillity in the Lions' den to keep up the records.However, with the absence of centre defence man, Raymond Kalla, and the not to perfect Atouba Timothée at the left back, the Lions have to be careful.
Ivory Coast, who are not in Egypt for a training session but to win the Cup has as star players, decisive Didier Drogba, purposeful Kilo Toure, influential, Nadir Koffin, conjurer Biomarker Barry, magician Maya Toure, and custodian Jean Jacques Tizie who could change a game in the twinkle of an eye.
Though the pairing is a threat to some Cameroonian fans, it is a nightmare for a majority of Ivorians.The Cameroon/ Ivory Coast encounter is yet another Eto'o-Drogba brawl. Eto'o and Drogba seem to have a succession of battles - who will be 2005 African Player of the Year, the Nations Cup Quarter Final match and the Chelsea versus FC Barcelona champions league match on the February 27. This will prove who is more lethal.
Egypt versus DR Congo
The Egypt versus DR Congo game is another one of interest. Egyptian team that supported the Lions to beat DR Congo on the last day of play so as not to meet Cameroon in the quarter finals, are likely going to use the home support to intimidate the Congolese side that fortuitously edged into the next round despite being easily beaten by the Lions.
Thanks to their superior goal difference to Angola who beat Togo 3-2.
DRC coach Claude le Roy was very ashamed of his boy's performance of recording two red cards in two games. He promised to do better next time. A team that is already handicapped by the absence of some major players is a problem for the team.
Striker Lomana Lua Lua could make the difference if very focused. At the same moment, Egypt with the likes of Mido, Hosan Hasam, and a host of young talents could have an easy ride over DRC.
West African Affair
The encounter between Senegal and Guinea is a West African affair. Guinea, which emerged champion of group D, would be facing neighbours Senegal that barely managed to qualify on goals advantage. The star-studded Senegal team is yet to make an impact.
El Hadji Diouf though yet to score goals, has been very instrumental with his decisive passes. He could steal the show in the next round. Henri Camara, the playmaker, is a constant tormentor to all defence not to talk of the advanced skills of Diomonsy Kamara and Papa Bouba Diouf at the midfield.
The overseer of the impermeable Senegalese defence, skipper Coly Ferdinand is ready to ward off all the Guinean distressing moves.
Eagles Business
The Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Cartage Eagles of Tunisia (Cup holders) will have to show who is who amongst the eagles. The young Nigerian squad that is made up of the likes of Mikel Obi, Obafemi Martins, Obodo Christian, Taye Taiwo and the rest have something to show the world.
The team also has old hands like Kanu, and Aghahowa who comes in as substitute to blend experience with talent. Super Eagles so far have mesmerised all their opponents with scintillating football. Harbouring revenge for the non-qualification of the World Cup, they will want to bash any obstacle on their way to the final.
Tunisia, on its part, has to defend its title as champions and also as World Cup finalist. Players of the Carthage Eagles have been together for about three years. There is that solidarity and collectiveness in their play style.
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