The first quarter-final at the 2010 African Cup of Nations gets underway with unpredictable hosts Angola entertaining Ghana, who laboured into the knock-out stages and are missing several key players. It promises to be an entertaining first knock-out match as arguably the most exciting team at the tournament in terms of going forward Angola attempt to send their fans into raptures by making it to the semi-finals.
After years of not entering the competition and only appearing for the first time ever in 1996, progress to the semi-finals would be the furthest the Palancas Negras have ever got.
Ghana having just about survived this far and are evidently missing some of their main players such as Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari and may find themselves overwhelmed by the attacking verve of Angola.
THE FORREST GUMPS OF AFRICA?
The most famous line in the film Forrest Gump sees star Tom Hanks sitting on a bench musing: �My Moma always said life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what yer gonna get�. Filmed in 1996, the first year that Angola ever appeared at the African Cup of Nations, Hanks displayed impressive prescience regarding this current Angolan side some 15 years in the future.
We�ve seen four goal leads squandered combined with some wonderfully attacking and inventive play both against Mali and Malawi, but also a more cynical approach to the game in their final match against Algeria. In fairness to the hosts of the tournament, they looked less complicit in playing out the final minutes without attacking, safe in the knowledge that a 0-0 draw between themselves and opponents Algeria would guarantee both passage at the expense of Mali.
Going into the match against Ghana therefore, there has to be a significant question mark over which Angola will turn up. Will it be the one of the first 75 minutes against Mali or the rather defensive and cagey one that we saw against Algeria?
They have arguably exceeded pre-tournament expectations, confounding some who suggested they may be heading for a premature exit at the group stage. In the event the relatively poor showings from Algeria and Mali helped ease Angola through, but they have also shone at times. Their form at the 2010 African Cup of Nations has been far superior to their performances 18 months ago when they crashed out of the qualifying section for the World Cup, which also doubled up as the tournament for this competition, at the first stage finishing behind Benin and level with Uganda.
Much of the credit for the improved level of performance must go to Portuguese boss Manuel Jose, who helped manage Al-Ahly to multiple continental and Egyptian titles before taking over at Angola last year. He has created a somewhat unorthodox formation that defies conventional tactical annotation with a flat-back three but also three in midfield, and then two lines of attacking players free to roam around the pitch. It may look a bit odd on paper (3-3-2-2?), but it seems to work in practice.
Furthermore Angola have answered questions about their ability to handle the pressure of local expectations, despite the inexplicable loss of the four goal margin against Mali in the first game. Indeed that late collapse may even have helped instil a sense of discipline and purpose. Against Malawi, they gave the Flames very little to work with going forward, and they also marshalled the flaccid Algerian attack well when pressed into service.
"Somethings Gotta Give!"
Whilst Angola have been the best team to watch at the 2010 African Cup of Nations, the same can�t be said for their opponents Ghana. The Black Stars have endured a difficult time of it so far, and their time at the tournament could be coming to an abrupt end.
The truncated Group B in which they found themselves, certainly didn�t help matters. Their heavy defeat to the Ivory Coast in their first of only two games left them with no room for error against Burkina Faso and the outcome was a rather stilted performance, the decisive goal coming from a badly cleared free-kick.
Many of Ghana�s problems have stemmed from the loss of key personnel both in the run-up to and during the tournament itself. Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah both missed out on the 23-man squad, whilst Michael Essien was rated as only doubtful. His late appearance still recuperating from his hamstring injury sustained with Chelsea only exacerbated the initial problems. As a result the team has a youthful air to it, drawing heavily on the U-20 side that did so well at the World Youth Championships last year.
Alas the Black Satellites, as the youth team is known, haven�t looked like they are ready to make the step up to become fully-fledged Stars at senior level. They were dismantled by the Ivory Coast, and laboured against Burkina Faso. If Ghana do wish to be a factor in this game, they will need to be persuaded by the management team that they can make the step up to this level, and to not let the pressure of the occasion get to them.
Maybe Ghana also need to turn to Forrest Gump for inspiration, the classic tale of the underdog making good despite everything that comes his way. If Ghana can cast themselves in this slightly unaccustomed less-favourite role, at least when playing fellow African opposition, and transfer the pressure to perform onto hosts Angola, they may yet be able to flourish. Further succour comes in the form of a friendly draw between the pair back in November when an under-strength Ghana, not too dissimilar to this team held Angola to a 0-0 draw.
TEAM NEWS
The Angolan management team have had to deal with several injuries during the tournament, which has made their performances thus far all the more impressive. The main injury concerns focus on Flavio, who sat out the Algerian stalemate after coming off in the second half against Malawi. Winger Dede also looks like he will be missing, whilst centre-back Zuela will need to prove his fitness pre-match after coming off against Algeria.
Ghana
Milovan Rajevic made several changes to the team for the win against Burkina Faso in an attempt to try and perk up the attacking options. The forward line looked more effective against the Stallions in that 1-0 win, but still had to rely on a set-piece routine to win the game, so there may be more alterations in attack. Matthew Amoah wasted two good chances in the second half hitting the side netting at the near post, and may pay the price for his profligacy. This may give a chance to AC Milan starlet Dominic Adiyiah, who arrived at the San Siro from Norwegian football in December.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
If Flavio fails to make the starting XI then former Manchester United striker Manucho will need to demonstrate he can cope without his partner. He had a poor game against Algeria often choosing the wrong option and heading down several blind routes when in possession of the ball. If he can get back to his best form, then Angola could be en route to the semi-finals.
Playing with such a young side, the more experienced members of the squad will need to come to the fore in what is likely to be an intimidating atmosphere. Key to that will be Hans Sarpei in the defence and Asamoah Gyan in attack. The pair have more than fifty caps between them, and will need to provide guidance and stability to their younger colleagues.
PREDICTION
Angola need to show that they can cope with the tags of favourites in this game, a label they haven�t often enjoyed. If they can demonstrate they have the nerve for the big occasion they should be able to overcome an under-strength Ghanaian team. However, if they wilt in the spotlight, the Black Stars may just snatch a surprise win. Don�t be surprised to see this one go all the way to extra-time and even beyond.
Source: Walter Townsend for Aboutaball.co.uk/Peacefmonline.com
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |