Soundoff: Who Will Win The African Cup O’Nations?

January 8th, 2010 | by: chris |

SOCCER-AFRICA/NATIONS Simple question and yet such a complicated answer:

- The bookies say it’s going to be the on-paper favorite Ivory Coast.

- History says it will be Egypt, two-time defending champions.

- Your gut says it won’t be either.

Then who will it be?

Everything, at least right now, points to two teams: Ghana & Ivory Coast. Which is why they, along with Cameroon, are the top three teams heading in on odds.

i. They have two of the deepest, most balanced teams in the tournament.
ii. They both dominated World Cup Qualifying.
iii. This is perhaps most important: they’ll both have a very difficult game heading into the knockouts via the groups – against each other. Coaches can’t stress enough the importance of getting their teams tested against good opposition (tough loss better than an easy win and all that hullabaloo).

The Ivory Coast does have a little bit something extra, however, which makes them the favorites: an in-form Didier Drogba.

They’re a very good team sans Drogba, sure, with a very good international strikeforce, but let’s not pretend an in-form Drogba doesn’t make them an entirely different team. He is, when hot, the best striker in the world and one of football’s greatest difference makers. This season’s he’s scalding: 19 goals in 24 games. Plus he scored the only goal in the Ivory Coast’s warmup versus Tanzania to boot. Good team with the best weapon, simple as that.

Does it mean they’ll win? No, but it’s precisely why they’re the favorites.

That said, I’m picking Cameroon. Where’s the fun in picking the favorites?

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http://guinea.worldcupblog.org shane

I think Cameroon will take it. Their midfield is as good as any other teams if not the best. Plus Eto’o is better than Drogba. And Cameroon have the best keeper in the tournament in Kameni.
http://japan.worldcupblog.org/ Aidan

Can’t agree that Eto’o is better than Drogba. Drogba is to me the most complete striker around at the moment – he has it all, strength, speed, finishing, diving ability…ok, let’s forget about that last one…

As boring as it seems I’ll have to go for Ivory Coast as winners, and I hope they do well in a tough World Cup group too.
http://scotland.worldcupblog.org Ian

I’ll go for Cameroon as well. I don’t think Ghana is as strong as either Cameroon or Cote d’Ivoire, especially with Essien not 100% (and not even in the country until Monday, apparently)
MoMONEY

Egypt
http://juventus.theoffside.com alessio

I’ll say Ghana which means it’ll probably be Cameroon.
xavier

north african teams always suprise me in this cup. i think they may not be as well known on paper but because many ( well some) play in the nations home league that have a well suited and unified team.

so therefore
egypt
http://www.newells.theoffside.com jeremy

Cameroon
Seth

I’ll say this tournament won’t happen.
http://www.tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

Seth: http://www.goal.com/en/news/815/african-nations-cup/2010/01/08/1733931/breaking-news-caf-confirm-that-african-cup-of-nations-2010
Icegaze

For me, it will depend on many things. IMPOSSIBLE to predict before the start of the competition. The first match of each of the 6 (serious/credible) contenders to win the cup – which are, IMO, Cameroon, CIV, Mali, Nigeria, Egypt and Ghana – will determine the outcome of Afcon 2010.

My heart says Nigeria will lift the cup. My football senses say Cameroon have the best overall quality to edge other to victory (Cameroon is my 2nd favourite football nation in Africa). I believe CIV have waaaay too much pressure on their shoulders and tend to freak out when the confrontation counts most. Egypt appears like the wise sage of the tournament, but a rather ageing one. Mali and Ghana are super dark horses for me. Any of the 2 can claim the title. Angola, in spite of home support, doesn’t have the experience to get past the semis…
http://france.theoffside.com/ Thomas

Cote d’Ivoire. It’s not about Drogba. It’s about Gervinho. If any of you have seen him recently you’d know what I meant.
http://hehe george papas

i think nigeria or ivory coast only because i think theve got the best strikers in yakubu and drogba camerron have eto but hes gettin older
Seth

Thanks Rami, glad that it’s not being cancelled because I was looking forward to it.

Prediction: Ivory Coast all the way.
http://soccerworldcup2010s.com/ Vanesa

Can’t wait to witness soccer World Cup 2010.
Wilson

The team with a good midfield, defense and goalie coupled with a cohesive play should win this tournament. A wonderful attacking line is important, but you will have to accept with me that there is no need scoring 4 and conceding 5.

Just one team has that for the moment : Cameroon.