Durban Takes Spotlight for AfCON 2013 Draw

The draw for the four groups will be made in Durban tonight, after which the final fixtures for the competition will be determined. An insight into the team as compiled by MTNfootball.com

SOUTH AFRICA


Previous finals: 7 (1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008)


Seeded: Pot 1 


The hosts will be appearing in their first Nations Cup finals since 2008 when they exited in the first round in Ghana. Coach Gordon Igesund has been tasked with making the semifinals and he will rely on their strong form at home against African opposition.

GHANA


Previous finals: 18 (1963, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012)


Seeded: Pot 1


Ghana have not won the Nations Cup since 1982 and time is running out for this latest generation of stars. They have fond memories of South Africa after their quarterfinal showing at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and subsequent visits to camp in the country.

MALI


Previous finals: 7 (1972, 1994, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012)


Seeded: Pot 2


Mali finished third at the Nations Cup played earlier this year and remain a very strong outfit. They will be among the contenders, but perhaps lack the real star quality to go all the way.

ZAMBIA


Previous finals: 15 (1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012)


Seeded: Pot 1


African champions Zambia squeezed into the 2013 finals after winning a nail-biting penalty shoot-out in their final qualifier against Uganda. They will be desperate to prove that their 2012 showing was no fluke, and have a number of players who either currently ply their trade in the South African PSL or have in the past. This tournament will feel like home.

NIGERIA

Previous finals: 16 (1963, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010)


Seeded: Pot 2


Nigeria are a shadow of the former powerhouse of the African continent, but you feel that on their day they could be a match for anyone. Can Stephan Keshi get the Super Eagles flying again?

TUNISIA 


Previous finals: 15 (1962, 1963, 1965, 1978, 1982, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012)


Seeded: Pot 2


Tunisia will be boosted by their seeding in Pot 2 which will mean they will avoid a number of the top names in the competition. They play with usual north African organisation and technique, but without any superstars.

CÔTE D’IVOIRE


Previous finals: 19 (1965, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1980, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012)


Seeded: Pot 1


This really is the final opportunity for Cote d’Ivoire’s Golden Generation and what a fitting end to Didier Drogba’s international career it would be if he can lift the Nations Cup with the side. Perhaps it is written in the stars for them.

MOROCCO


Previous finals: 14 (1972, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1986, 1988, 1992, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012)


Seeded: Pot 3


Morocco under performed in the 2012 Nations Cup having gone into the tournament as one of the favourites. They remain a good side and could well be up there with the leading lights again.

ETHIOPIA


Previous finals: 9 (1957, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1976, 1982)


Seeded: Pot 4


Ethiopia have qualified for their first finals since 1982 having seen off the challenge of Sudan and they will be no easy pickings for any team despite their status as a side in Pot 4 of the seedings.

CAPE VERDE


Previous finals: 0


Seeded: Pot 4


Cape Verde will be appearing in their first Nations Cup finals ever having caused a massive upset in the qualifiers when they ousted Cameroon. The Portuguese-speaking side having a number of players from that country and will love the experience of being on the continental stage.

ANGOLA

Previous finals: 6 (1996, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012)


Seeded: Pot 2


Angola have been to each of the last four Nations Cup tournaments, including the one they hosted in 2010, but have failed to make the kind of impact they would have hoped for. Could this be their chance?

NIGER


Previous finals: 1 (2012)


Seeded: Pot 3


Niger reach a second successive Nations Cup finals after beating a more fancied Guinea in the qualifiers. Their problem remains that they ate close to unbeatable in Niamey, but outside of Niger have an awful record.

TOGO


Previous finals: 6 (1972, 1984, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006)


Seeded: Pot 4


Togo return to the Nations Cup for the first time since the horrors of the guerilla attack on their team bus ahead of the 2010 even in Angola. They pulled out of that tournament before it began and have been boosted recently by the return of Emmanuel Adebayor to their line-up.

DR CONGO


Previous finals: 15 (1965, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006)


Seeded: Pot 4


DR Congo make a return to the Nations Cup after a seven-year absence during which time they would have expected to feature more regularly. Off the back of the success of TP Mazembe in African club competition they have built a decent squad that has so far under-achieved.

BURKINA FASO

Previous finals: 8 (1978, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2012)


Seeded: Pot 3


Burkina Faso have been to the last two Nations Cup tournaments without making an impact at all and will hope for a quarterfinal place at the very least in 2013.

ALGERIA 


Previous finals: 14 (1968, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2010)


Seeded: Pot 3


Algeria have surprisingly only been to one of the last four Nations Cup tournaments, despite having a formidable side in that time that qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup (and the Nations Cup that year too). Consider them Dark Horses for this one.

MTNFootball

Posted by Editor on October 24, 2012. Filed under HEADLINES. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry