Cameroon are one of the wild-card entries in the 2008 African Cup of Nations. That they are not an out-and-out contender says more about their tendency to underachieve than anything else. The Indomitable Lions frequently flatter to deceive. But if Otto Pfister can coax even an average performance from his squad this winter, Cameroon look a good bet for at least a semi-final berth.

    Consider their record over the past two decades. In 1990, they burst onto the scene with a trip to the quarterfinals at Italia ’90. Two years later, however, they delivered a disappointing fourth-place finish at the African Nations Cup. And while they proceeded to qualify for the next three World Cups in succession, they never made it out of their groups. Over the same period, they failed to qualify for the 1994 African Nations Cup and bowed out at the group stage in 1996. Then they delivered back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2002 and an Olympic gold medal in Sydney.

    Just three of Pfister’s squad were a part of the Olympic winners. Modeste M’Bami, Joel Epalle, and Samuel Eto’o were part of the side which defeated an impressive Spanish side on penalties in the final. The tournament also included the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Christian Zanetti, Gianluca Zambrotta, and Gennaro Gattuso for Italy; and someone named Ronaldinho led Brazil’s entry. The question begs. Which such turnover in the interim, can Cameroon lift the trophy in Ghana? Don’t bet against it.

    Eto’o is roaring into form at the moment. That fact, in and of itself, should vault the Indomitable Lions into the favorites’ circle. The Barcelona striker will be joined in attack by a pair of veterans – Joseph-Desire Job and Bertin Tomou. Job, a former Middlesbrough forward, scored 10-goals for Sedan last term before a move to Nice in the summer. Tomou, meanwhile, has tallied 18-times in two seasons at Belgium club Excelsior. Duisburg’s Mohammadou Idrissour is also likely to get a look.

    Lille’s Jean Makoun will marshal the midfield. The 24-year-old has starred in Ligue 1 to the point that Sir Alex Ferguson has repeatedly attempted to bring him to Manchester United. Alexandre Song, currently on loan to Charlton Athletic from Arsenal, with also have a place in the starting-XI. The 20-year-old represented France’s Under-16 squad before declaring for Cameroon as a senior player. Newcastle’s Geremi is another familiar name and has earned 60-caps for his country. Alain Nkong will bring an offensive threat from just behind the strikers. The Atalanta midfielder has scored 9-goals in 21-caps and represents Atalanta in Serie A. At 6-foot-2, he strikes an imposing figure in the middle of the park.

    Captain Rogoberth Song will anchor the defense. The 31-year-old Galatasaray centre-half has appeared in 103-matches for his country and spent two seasons at West Ham between 2000 and 2002. He will be joined by a current Premier League defender – Reading’s Andre Bikey. Benfica’s Augustin Binya and Hamburg’s Thimothee Atoube round out the group.

Key players: Samuel Eto’o (FW, Barcelona); Jean Makoun (MF, Lille); Alain Nkong (MF, Atalanta); Andre Bikey (D, Reading)

 

To outside observers of the African Nations Cup, Egypt rarely garners the attention of the more colorful, flamboyant African sides such as Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, and Cameroon. It is an unfortunate reality. The Pharaohs have won more continental titles than any other nation. And their lack of recognition has more to do with the anonymity of Egypt’s domestic league than anything else.

    For this installment of the competition, manager Hassan Shehata has drawn much of his squad from Egyptian Premier League sides such as Al-Ahly, Al-Zamalek, and Ismaily. In fact, just three members of the squad play their football outside of Egypt and the Middle East.

    One of those is Mohamed Zidan. Attach an “e” to the end of his name and you’ll understand just how important he is to the national team. In six appearances for his country, the 26-year-old has scored four goals. Even more impressive, however, is his goalscoring record in German football. Through 15-matches with lowly Mainz in the latter half of last season, he poached 13-goals. The performance was enough to catch Huub Stevens’ eye at Hamburg; and Zidan joined the club in the summer. In attack, he will be joined by Amr Zaki and Emad Motaeb. The two have combined for 38 international goals and are both 24-years-old.

    Another European-based player, Ahmed Hassan, will anchor Egypt’s midfield. Currently with Anderlecht in Belgium, the 32-year-old can play both as a winger and attacking midfielder. He has scored 22-goals in 129-caps. Al-Alhy’s Mohamed Aboutreika and Ismaily’s Hosni-Abd-Rabou will fill two of the remaining midfield places.

    Defensively, Wael Gomma’s experience will be counted upon in front of goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary. The 32-year-old players for Al Siliya in Qatar and has been capped 58-times. Another import, Ibrahim Said, representes Ankaragucu in Turkey. Al-Alhy’s Ahmen Fathi will also contribute to an under-appreciated, albeit effective, backline.

Key players: Mohamed Zidan (FW, Hamburg); Amr Zaki (FW, Al-Zamalek); Ahmed Hassan (MF, Anderlecht); Wael Gomma (D, Al Siliya)

 

Sudan have never appeared in a World Cup and last competed in the African Cup of Nations in 1976. It came as something of a surprise, then, that they arrived in Ghana having won Group 4 of the qualification campaign. A memorable 3-2 victory over Tunisia on the final matchday earned them the top seed in the bracket.

    The entire squad has been chosen from two domestic sides. Omdurman’s Al-Merrikh contributed 11-players while city rival Al-Hilal supplied 12. Both sides dominated the past season of Sudanese football. Al-Hilal won the championship and Al-Merrikh lifted the cup.

    Faisal Agab was Sokoor Al-Jediane’s top scorer in qualifying. The 29-year-old Al-Merrikh striker is Sudan’s top all-time scorer in African competition. He will be partnered in attack by club teammate Hatham Tambal.

    Midfielder Abdelhamid Amari is one of the few Sudanese players to have garnered international silverware. As a 23-year-old, he won the East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup in Tanzania. Haitham Mustafa will be another player to watch in the centre of the park. The 30-year-old is the captain of Al-Hilal and a national footballing legend. His teammate, Richard Gastin Lado, will anchor the defense and can move forward into the midfield as necessary.

Key players: Faisal Agab (FW, Al-Merrikh); Haitham Mustafa (MF, Al-Hilal)

 

The United Nations estimates that 68 per-cent of Zambians live in poverty. With an average, annual income of less than $400, most schoolchildren abandon their studies when education fees cannot be paid. And, most disturbingly, Zambia ranks third-from-bottom on the UN’s ranking of life-expectancy. That the Chipolopolo, The Copper Bullets, have arrived in Ghana for the African Nations Cup is, in and of itself, a reason to celebrate. With the Gabon Air Disaster, when 18-players, coaches, and staff perished en route to Senagal for a 1994 World Cup qualifier, fresh in mind, even football has failed to provide a sense of joy and escapism in Zambia.

    Patrick Phiri is hoping to change that. The manager has assembled a squad comprised mostly of domestic and South-African-based players. A small cast of Europeans, however, will be shouldering much of the pressure.

    Chris Katongo has scored five goals for Danish club Brondby so far this season. The 25-year-old striker is also well-known for his time at Zambian side Green Buffaloes and South African club Jomo Cosmos. Strasbourg’s Jacob Mulenga will also see time in attack. The 23-year-old has scored two goals in five appearances for his country.

    Katongo’s brother Felix will be part of an efficient Zambia midfield. The 23-year-old represents Angola’s Petro Atletico. During his time at domestic club Green Buffaloes, he managed an impressive 22-goals in 38-matches as an attacking midfielder. Fellow 23-year-old Isaac Chansa has played 15-matches for his country and is currently at Swedish club Helsingborgs.

    Clive Hachilensa has also played in Scandinavia. Before moving home to Zesco United, he represented Finnish side IFK Mariehamn. South Africa’s Golden Arrows defender Billy Mwanza will also be a crucial component to the defense.

Key players: Chris Katongo (FW, Brondby)