African Nations Cup

[desertscouser]

Nigeria play Ghana next in QF. Should be a Cracker game.

Can't wait for this one. Ghana have home advantage and Essien is playing like a man possessed at the moment but Nigeria have more quality all over the pitch. The problem with Nigeria is that they're very Jekyl and Hyde. Some days they play like Namibia and others they play as well as any side in Africa. Basically their attitude stinks. My gut feeling is that Ghana will win on penalties.

Ghana, Ivory Coast, Egypt and Cameroon in the semis. Although neither Cameroon or Egypt will want to face Angola in the quarters.

[Pablo]

Ivory Coast Thumped Mali 3-0 yesterday to send them out of the competition as Nigeria beat Benin 2-0.

So thats Sissoko off on the first flight back to Turin then. Wish him well.

[dww]

Can't wait for this one. Ghana have home advantage and Essien is playing like a man possessed at the moment but Nigeria have more quality all over the pitch. The problem with Nigeria is that they're very Jekyl and Hyde. Some days they play like Namibia and others they play as well as any side in Africa. Basically their attitude stinks. My gut feeling is that Ghana will win on penalties.

Ghana, Ivory Coast, Egypt and Cameroon in the semis. Although neither Cameroon or Egypt will want to face Angola in the quarters.

Nigeria are a hard country to manage (a bit like the Dutch in that they all want to be in charge as far as I can tell) and they appointed the frankly clueless Vogts. I therefore predict that the Black Stars will kick their ass.

I've been impressed by Angola and surprised by the paucity of Cameroon (although I have seen less of them). Cameroon look like a bunch of great athletes who happen to have got lucky in soccer and Samuel Eto'o to me. I'm sure they have more quality than that but they aren't showing it.

[Nic83]

Bets going well. Have Ghana win and Etoo EW top scorer.

[Imy]

Poor Momo

Mali coach vents anger at Sissoko


Mali coach Jean-Francois Joder has criticised Mohamed Sissoko's decision complete his transfer to Juventus during the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Eagles' midfielder, 23, returned to the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday after spending three days in Turin.

Sissoko made a substitute appearance as Mali lost 3-0 to Ivory Coast and failed to qualify to the quarter-finals.

"I'm not happy with Sissoko for leaving our camp - he disrespected African football," Joder told BBC Sport.

"That's why I put him on the bench and I only brought him in the second half to replace the injured Kanoute.

"Juventus is a club that can afford to provide a jet for Sissoko and return him on the same day or the next day.

"But they didn't do that, instead they put the player on a public flight which meant he returned a day late for our match preparations against Ivory Coast - this was to our detriment.

"If Sissoko was a French player, do you think he would have behaved in this way," asks Joder.

"If he did, he would not be given the chance to play again in the tournament."

However, the former Liverpool man defended his decision to fly to Italy.

"I flew to Italy because it was important for my future and my football career," Sissoko said.


"I don't think I should be blamed for that and I expected the coach to show understanding."

It is the first time the Malian team have failed to progress past the first-round stage of the Africa Cup of Nations' finals.

[SouthAfricaRed]

Sunday 03/02

Ghana vs Nigeria

Ivory Coast vs Guinea

Monday 04/02

Egypt vs Angola

Tunisia vs Cameroon

Some interesting fixtures left

[kemm1]

Sunday 03/02

Ghana vs Nigeria

Ivory Coast vs Guinea

Monday 04/02

Egypt vs Angola

Tunisia vs Cameroon

Some interesting fixtures left

Here are my picks:

Ghana

Ivory Coast

Angola

Tunisia

[SouthAfricaRed]

Sunday 03/02

Ghana vs Nigeria

Ivory Coast vs Guinea

Monday 04/02

Egypt vs Angola

Tunisia vs Cameroon

Some interesting fixtures left

Here are my picks:

Ghana

Ivory Coast

Angola

Tunisia

I agree that Ghana will beat Nigeria, but I think Guinea might surprise Ivory Coast

The other Semi Final will be Egypt vs Tunisia IMO and I think that winner will win the Cup

[desertscouser]

Here are my picks:

Ghana

Ivory Coast

Angola

Tunisia

My picks are:

Ghana
Ivory Coast
Egypt (easily)
Cameroon

[akjs123]

How long does this competion go? Will Essien and co be back for our match?

[desertscouser]

I think Ghana could be heading out of the competition tonight.

It depends which Nigeria show up. Ghana are not that good, in terms of quality theye are not on the same level as Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Egypt but home advantage will spur them on to the seims imo. They'll then gt knocked out by Cameroon who will probably face Egypt or Ivory Coast.

[desertscouser]

How long does this competion go? Will Essien and co be back for our match?

If Ghana and Ivory Coast win their next matches it's unlikely that Essien, Kalou or Drogba will be back in time for our game. The 3rd place game is on Saturday night so I doubt Roman's jet would be able to get them back in time.

[kemm1]

It depends which Nigeria show up. Ghana are not that good, in terms of quality theye are not on the same level as Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Egypt but home advantage will spur them on to the seims imo. They'll then gt knocked out by Cameroon who will probably face Egypt or Ivory Coast.

Nigeria haven't played good football for quite a while now, the overpowering footie they displayed in the World Cup in 1994 and the early stages of 1998 before the off the pitch meltdown is no longer on display. Ghana will beat them down tonight.

Angola is underrated IMHO, they play football like ****ing basketball if the Egypt plays with a high temp Angola will smash them and I think that will happen.

Cameroon are a shadow of their former selves, Tunisia all the way.

Ivory Coast to win it all without much difficulty.

[SouthAfricaRed]

If Ghana and Ivory Coast win their next matches it's unlikely that Essien, Kalou or Drogba will be back in time for our game. The 3rd place game is on Saturday night so I doubt Roman's jet would be able to get them back in time.

Good results for us then

[Joe King]

Fat Frank might be back