By James Robert Kayindi
The 30th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations has already impressed its viewers after recording three wins and three draws from the first six games of the campaign with the most dramatic coming yesterday when Senegal edged Ghana in stoppage time while Algeria brushed off South Africa.
Group opening games continue today as the “Indomitable Lions” of Cameroon take on the Eagles of Mali in Group D at the Estadio de Malabo in Equatorial Guinea at 10pm Ug-time. Cameron will be missing the services of their team captain Stephane Mbia due to suspension after he received matching orders (a red card) during their last game against Ivory Coast in the qualifiers.
Mbia, however, says the team is ready for the challenge and as they continue to build the team for AFCON 2019.
“The Cameroon team is in a rebuilding stage, but we need to be well prepared for this 2015 AFCON finals which is very important for our country and for us players. We are also here to prepare for the 2019 AFCON that will take place at home,” Mbia said.
The two sides have only met twice in this campaign. (1-1 in 1972 and 3-0 win for Cameroon in 2002 at the semifinals).
Meanwhile, the Eagles of Mali had a disappointing 3-0 loss to South Africa in the last preparation friendly but let’s not forget the fact that they finished third in 2012 and 2013.
In the other game of the evening, the Elephants of Ivory Coast will entertain Guinea who beat Uganda 2-0 during the final match of the qualifiers to deny them a slot at this year’s edition.
The 2014 African player of the year Yaya Toure will be eager to impress alongside new Manchester City teammate Wilfred Bonny who joined Man city this month on a 28million pound transfer deal. The other significant figure will be senior defender Habib Kole Toure who will be featuring in the last campaign for his international career as he promised to retire after this year’s AFCON.
There have been 15 meetings between the two sides, Ivory Cost winning ten, losing three and drawing two but haven’t lost to Guinea in their last eight encounters. Guinea last beat the elephants in 1994.
Email Robert: Robert.k.circles@gmail.com
