Chris Maduewesi
Member
The 2015 African Nations Cup tournament commences tomorrow(Saturday) in Equatorial Guinea but without the defending champions, Nigeria.
From that glorious night in South Africa in 2013, the Super Eagles failed to qualify for this edition of the Nations Cup and would now be confined to watching the tournament on the screens.
Nigeria's triumph in Johannesburg will still be shown as TV montages before a new winner emerges in Malabo in the next three weeks.
For the avid Nigerian fans, it will be painful not seeing the Super Eagles compete with the other countries for Africa's top prize, more disheartening that the country also failed to be in Equatorial Guinea in 2012. Seems like a curse, but the truth is that Nigeria didn't work hard to be there.
So in the absence of Nigeria, we have come with five countries whom we feel have a big shot at being crowned the next Kings of African Football.
*Ghana:
Desipite being one of the favourites in recent years, the Black Stars of Ghana have somehow not been able to live up to their huge promises.
To some, they are perennial underachievers, but it can't be ruled out that they have been consistent semifinalists.
In the last four Nations Cup tournaments, dating back to 2008, Ghana have on each occasion made the semi-finals.
So they are gradually getting closer, and no doubt remains one of the favourites to lift the Nations Cup this time around.
Newly appointed coach Avram Grant will have his work cut out, but he has shown that he can be his own man, resisting the temptation of bringing back the likes of Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng to his team.
Even without them, Ghana will still be a strong contender for the title.
*Ivory Coast:
Since 2006, there hasn't been a Nations Cup tournament that the Elephants of Ivory Coast have not been ranked as favourites to win.
Having some of the best African players within their fold, it is somehow a mystery that they have not been able to wrestle the title.
Boasting of the famous golden generation that included the enigmatic Didier Drogba, Didier Zokora and Emmanuel Eboue in their prime, they still did not get around.
Now that these phase of stars have gone, the mantle now falls on arguably Africa's biggest star, Yaya Toure to lead others to glory.
An attack that boasts of Africa's most expensive player, Wilfried Bony, Gervinho and Salomon Kalou, goals are sure to flow.
However, recent outings in this competition have shown that Ivory Coast knows how to shoot themselves on the foot when it matters most.
But with Herve Renard now in the saddle, himself a Nations Cup winner, it could be the tonic they need.
*Cameroon:
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon lived up to their name-tag as they went through their qualifying series unbeaten.
A young Cameroon squad assembled by coach Volker Finke stormed through their qualifiers effortlessly, stunning the likes of Ivory Coast and beating DR Congo away from home.
Cameroon had a torrid World Cup campaign, the butt of ridicule and it was pertinent they got it right before the Nations Cup qualifiers.
All the bad elements in the team were weeded out and Cameroon were more united as they put up a good show.
Despite his fine form for West Ham in the English Premier League, there was no place in the team for Alex Song, which was a firm move that showed Cameroon could do without their big name players.
Even legendary Samuel Eto'o was not even considered, no space for past glory.
In their absence,younger players like Vincent Aboubakar and Clinton Njie were given room to flourish.
If they carry their form from the qualifiers into the Nations Cup, they will sure go the long haul.
*Senegal:
A team that can afford to leave out Demba Ba from their squad, cannot be excused with whim of the hand.
Coach Alain Giresse is doing his best to drill his team into a unit not a bunch of super star players.
They have good strikers who can get goals, but at the same time they can decide to self- destruct just like in 2012 that they didn't even go past the group stages of the competition.
However if they keep their shape and force themselves to go the extra mile, they could break the barrier.
Players like Sadio Mane have shown their capabilities and that he can do it against big teams, Chelsea and Arsenal can testify of his abilities which are not in doubt.
Although Mane's fitness is a concern, if he fully recovers, he can shoot Senegal there.
*Algeria:
Adjudged by many as the current best team on the continent, Algeria appears to be many people's favourites to win the Nations Cup tournament in Equatorial Guinea.
They are the highest ranked African team by world football governing body, FIFA at 18th position and the first among CAF countries.
Supported by a huge fanbase they have a huge passionate following from their followers.
The Desert Foxes won five of their six Nations Cup qualifying matches to top their group with ease.
And they have not looked back since having an outstanding World Cup tournament in Brazil where they only lost by whiskers to eventual winners, Germany.
The North Africans have evolved and will no doubt view this Nations Cup as a must-win for themselves.
The trident of Porto's playmaker Yacine Brahimi, Valencia's Sofiane Feghouli and Islam Slimani of Sporting Lisbon would be carrying the hopes of a football- crazy nation.
****
It is too close to call which country would replace Nigeria as champions, but whoever wins will surely be a deserving winner.
From that glorious night in South Africa in 2013, the Super Eagles failed to qualify for this edition of the Nations Cup and would now be confined to watching the tournament on the screens.
Nigeria's triumph in Johannesburg will still be shown as TV montages before a new winner emerges in Malabo in the next three weeks.
For the avid Nigerian fans, it will be painful not seeing the Super Eagles compete with the other countries for Africa's top prize, more disheartening that the country also failed to be in Equatorial Guinea in 2012. Seems like a curse, but the truth is that Nigeria didn't work hard to be there.
So in the absence of Nigeria, we have come with five countries whom we feel have a big shot at being crowned the next Kings of African Football.
*Ghana:
Desipite being one of the favourites in recent years, the Black Stars of Ghana have somehow not been able to live up to their huge promises.
To some, they are perennial underachievers, but it can't be ruled out that they have been consistent semifinalists.
In the last four Nations Cup tournaments, dating back to 2008, Ghana have on each occasion made the semi-finals.
So they are gradually getting closer, and no doubt remains one of the favourites to lift the Nations Cup this time around.
Newly appointed coach Avram Grant will have his work cut out, but he has shown that he can be his own man, resisting the temptation of bringing back the likes of Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng to his team.
Even without them, Ghana will still be a strong contender for the title.
*Ivory Coast:
Since 2006, there hasn't been a Nations Cup tournament that the Elephants of Ivory Coast have not been ranked as favourites to win.
Having some of the best African players within their fold, it is somehow a mystery that they have not been able to wrestle the title.
Boasting of the famous golden generation that included the enigmatic Didier Drogba, Didier Zokora and Emmanuel Eboue in their prime, they still did not get around.
Now that these phase of stars have gone, the mantle now falls on arguably Africa's biggest star, Yaya Toure to lead others to glory.
An attack that boasts of Africa's most expensive player, Wilfried Bony, Gervinho and Salomon Kalou, goals are sure to flow.
However, recent outings in this competition have shown that Ivory Coast knows how to shoot themselves on the foot when it matters most.
But with Herve Renard now in the saddle, himself a Nations Cup winner, it could be the tonic they need.
*Cameroon:
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon lived up to their name-tag as they went through their qualifying series unbeaten.
A young Cameroon squad assembled by coach Volker Finke stormed through their qualifiers effortlessly, stunning the likes of Ivory Coast and beating DR Congo away from home.
Cameroon had a torrid World Cup campaign, the butt of ridicule and it was pertinent they got it right before the Nations Cup qualifiers.
All the bad elements in the team were weeded out and Cameroon were more united as they put up a good show.
Despite his fine form for West Ham in the English Premier League, there was no place in the team for Alex Song, which was a firm move that showed Cameroon could do without their big name players.
Even legendary Samuel Eto'o was not even considered, no space for past glory.
In their absence,younger players like Vincent Aboubakar and Clinton Njie were given room to flourish.
If they carry their form from the qualifiers into the Nations Cup, they will sure go the long haul.
*Senegal:
A team that can afford to leave out Demba Ba from their squad, cannot be excused with whim of the hand.
Coach Alain Giresse is doing his best to drill his team into a unit not a bunch of super star players.
They have good strikers who can get goals, but at the same time they can decide to self- destruct just like in 2012 that they didn't even go past the group stages of the competition.
However if they keep their shape and force themselves to go the extra mile, they could break the barrier.
Players like Sadio Mane have shown their capabilities and that he can do it against big teams, Chelsea and Arsenal can testify of his abilities which are not in doubt.
Although Mane's fitness is a concern, if he fully recovers, he can shoot Senegal there.
*Algeria:
Adjudged by many as the current best team on the continent, Algeria appears to be many people's favourites to win the Nations Cup tournament in Equatorial Guinea.
They are the highest ranked African team by world football governing body, FIFA at 18th position and the first among CAF countries.
Supported by a huge fanbase they have a huge passionate following from their followers.
The Desert Foxes won five of their six Nations Cup qualifying matches to top their group with ease.
And they have not looked back since having an outstanding World Cup tournament in Brazil where they only lost by whiskers to eventual winners, Germany.
The North Africans have evolved and will no doubt view this Nations Cup as a must-win for themselves.
The trident of Porto's playmaker Yacine Brahimi, Valencia's Sofiane Feghouli and Islam Slimani of Sporting Lisbon would be carrying the hopes of a football- crazy nation.
****
It is too close to call which country would replace Nigeria as champions, but whoever wins will surely be a deserving winner.