Equatorial Guinea, Congo ignite Africa

The attention of football fans all over the world will shift to
Africa for the next three weeks, starting from this afternoon,
as the 30th edition of the continent’s greatest showpiece -the
Africa Cup of Nations- gets underway in the tiny oil-rich
Equatorial Guinea.
Host, Equatorial Guinea and Congo Brazzaville will set the
tune in the opening match billed to kick off at 6pm this
evening inside the main bowl of the 15, 250 capacity Nuevo
Stadium in Malabo, as 16 national teams, battle for the
coveted trophy won by Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the last
edition of the tournament in South Africa two years ago.
Interestingly, Equatorial Guinea will be making its second
appearance at the Nations Cup finals with its first and only
outing being in 2012 when it co-hosted with Gabon and
reached the quarterfinals.
But not much is expected from the Nzalang Nacional (National
Thunder), nickname for Equatorial Guinea’s national team, at
this edition of the tournament, having been earlier disqualified
for fielding ineligible player during the qualifiers.
The Central African nation got the chance to play at this
year’s finals as last minute substitute for Morocco that with­
drew as host following the refusal of the Confederation of
African Football (CAF) to grant its request to shift the date of
the championship over fears that the travelling fans could
spread the dreaded Ebola virus that has claimed well over
5,000 lives in the West African sub region.
Another pointer that Equatorial Guinea, ranked 120 in FIFA
World ranking, may not go far in the tournament is the ap­
pointment of Argentine coach, Esteban Becker, barely two
weeks ago to tinker its 2015 Nations Cup squad of average
players. The biggest name in the squad is Captain Emilo Nsue
who plies his trade with English Championship side, Mid­
dlesbrough. With only two international caps, Nsue will rely on
the experience of the defensive quartet of Sipo of AEK of
Cyprus, Rui of Hibermans FC of Malta, Daniel Evuy and
Diosdado Mbele, both of domestic side, Leones Vegetarians
FC, to shut-out the Congo Red Devils’ rampaging attack in
today’s opening match.
Perhaps, the biggest work for the host side today would be in
the midfield where veterans Juvena Edjogo-Owono and Randy
are expected to bring their wealth of experience to bear
against the Congolese. Edjogo-Owono, 35, is the most capped
Equatorial Guinea international with 24 caps and six goals
while Randy, 27, has 19 caps and three goals under his belt.
Whether the National Thunder would have enough fire-power
to strike down the Claude Le Roy-tutored Red Devils today
leaves to be seen. Congo, 61 on FIFA World ranking and
winner of the 1972 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in
Cameroon, look favoured to flag off their campaign on high
after qualifying ahead of the defending champion, Nigeria’s
Super Eagles with a 3-2 defeat of the latter in front their home
fans in Calabar.
Interestingly, Equatorial Guinea suffered its heaviest defeat of
6-0 in international football in the hands of Congo on
December 13, 1990. With the vast experience of French
tactician, Le Roy in African football, the host side should have
a lot to worry about in today’s opening fixture.
One player Equatorial Guinea’s defence must watch out for in
the Congolese attack is striker Thievy Bifouma. The Almeria of
Spain forward wrecked the Super Eagles during the qualifiers
with a brace in Calabar and another clinical finish in the return
leg in Congo.
Other notable forwards in the Red Devils’ attack include
Guingamp of France striker, Ferebony Dore of CFR Cluj, Delvin
N’Dinga of Olympiacos of Greece and Fabrice N’Guessi of
Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.
Burkina Faso will take on Gabon in the second match of the
day at 9pm. There will be two matches tomorrow with Zambia
and Congo DR locking horns in the first game at the Bata
Stadium at 6pm while Tunisia and Cape Verde Islands taking
the stage at 9pm at the same venue.