[mr onemore]

2008 African Nations Cup, Ghana, starts 21 Jan 2008

Time for the African Nations Cup again. I’m living here in Ghana at the moment and looking forward to going to these matches. Might post a few photos as we go along, catch a bit of the atmosphere…

Had a good run last time out – made a good profit on this thread http://www.punters-paradise.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2536 and hope some of the contributors to this thread last time are still around?

Here’s my numbers for this year. The Attack, Defence and Overall rankings are my own. They are based on performances at home and away during the last 5 years, with the most recent games weighting more heavily. The strengths of the opposing teams were also taken into account.

The rankings are from 1=top, through to 16=lowest for the 16 finalists.

The odds quoted are from Ladbrokes.

Group A

Ghana

Attack: 9
Defence: 3
Overall: 5

Odds: 3/1 fav

My view: Hosting to disappointing…Ghana won’t win this. Leaky at the back in recent games, captain Appiah out injured and the crowd doesn’t always lift when the team gets in trouble…will need the refs help…

Voodoo Factor: *** home doctors

Morocco

Attack: 16
Defence: 1
Overall: 2

Odds: 10/1

My view: Great team – hard to beat, but doesn’t score. 0-0 every game…(though might sneak one past Namibia). Worth a shout in KO stages, if they get there…


Voodoo Factor: zero – on the receiving end I’m afraid



Guinea

Attack: 3
Defence: 5
Overall: 3

Odds: 25/1


My view: On a great run and fantastically underrated. Surprise package for those not in the know…

Voodoo Factor: *** can hold their own



Namibia

Attack: 15
Defence: 16
Overall: 16

Odds: 66/1

My view: Genuine minnows – early doors…


Voodoo Factor: zero – inexperienced…



Group B

Nigeria

Attack: 10
Defence: 7
Overall: 8

Odds: 6/1


My view: Same old story - great players on paper, low team spirit, financial problems – never changes…possible early ‘tro-tro’ back

Voodoo Factor: **** don’t mess



Ivory Coast

Attack: 1
Defence: 2
Overall: 1

Odds: 4/1

My view: As good as you think? YES and playing at home too (near enough). Champions elect and they have my money…


Voodoo Factor: ** moderate users, but **** in penalty shoot-outs



Mali

Attack: 6
Defence: 4
Overall: 6

Odds: 22/1


My view: Great team, great football. Can’t wait for Mali v Ivory Coast in Accra. A lot of smart money going on Mali, good value.


Voodoo Factor: **** quite a scarey outfit altogether


Benin

Attack: 12
Defence: 12
Overall: 14

Odds: 150/1

My view: Honestly, these squirrels aren’t bad…tough group though. Put an advert out last month for ‘new’ players – most of the French second division has responded…


Voodoo Factor: ***** top of the pile. How else did they beat Togo 4-1 to qualify?



Group C

Egypt

Attack: 13
Defence: 6
Overall: 10

Odds: 14/1

My view: This ANC is not in Cairo – end of discussion…


Voodoo Factor: zero – doesn’t work outside the pyramids



Cameroon

Attack: 7
Defence: 9
Overall: 9

Odds: 6/1

My view: Definitely a lay at these odds – reputation going before the fall…



Voodoo Factor: ** out of practice


Zambia

Attack: 11
Defence: 11
Overall: 12

Odds: 25/1

My view: Southern African teams in West Africa = lost money, leave alone


Voodoo Factor: * different chickens in West Africa



Sudan

Attack: 8
Defence:13
Overall: 13

Odds: 200/1

My view: Club teams have had a great season the African champions league. 200/1!!! Got to be joking – should be around 28/1 – sneaking feeling this team will make the quarters…


Voodoo Factor: unknown – but they must have something



Group D

Tunisia

Attack: 5
Defence:10
Overall: 7

Odds: 14/1


My view: Always a well organized, good team – but will come unstuck against the big West African’s later in the tournament.


Voodoo Factor: zero – just when will these North Africans join the modern game?



Senegal

Attack: 4
Defence:8
Overall: 4

Odds: 14/1

My view: Watch out for Senegal – I think they’ll go well here, and a nice group to start with. Back to the best of a few years back, and every chance once the KO stages start.


Voodoo Factor: **** don’t touch the team bus



South Africa

Attack: 14
Defence: 14
Overall: 15

Odds: 28/1


My view: 1000/1 South Africa have been rubbish for ages, hosts of 2010 WC are still experimenting and running out of time…potential embarrassment.

Voodoo Factor: ** faith in Ghana immigration to stop this lot



Angola

Attack: 2
Defence:15
Overall: 11

Odds: 33/1

My view: I just don’t rate this team, but they keep on getting the results. Time for Angola to take a fall – first flight out…


Voodoo Factor: zero – it’s run out…


Summary

I’m waiting to see the squads, and read around a bit more before lumping on…but up to now I say…

Winners – Ivory Coast
Was hoping they were overrated – as Joe Public will be on these – but this side really does stand up to the hype. A great team in all areas and it will take a lot to beat them. Odds are a little short, but shop around and there is better…

Great Value – Senegal
I think they have a cruise into the quarters, and they’re another team who is difficult to crack. Should get better and better as the tournament goes on.

Lay – Ghana
Hate to say it, seeing as I’m in Ghana for this one, but Ghana are going to fail. Looked very shaky against Benin in a recent friendly, and hammered 5-0 by Saudi Arabia a month or so ago. Essien is by some local accounts an arse, and team spirit plummets when the chips are down. Far too short a price, I’d have Ghana around 9/1.