GHANA 2008: D for Teams in decline

THE first thought that came to mind immediately the list for group D was completed was “Decline”. Some also labelled it the group of equals. In boxing terms, you could call it the group of middleweights. This group lacks the heavyweights as well as the lightweights. I guess all the countries at the end of the draw felt this was a manageable group and each of them had the chance of progressing to the quarter final stage. The picturesque Tamale stadium would provide the stage for some intriguing games. The seeded team in this group is Tunisia (arguably the weakest of the teams in Pot A) making their third trip to Ghana for a Nations Cup. Their first appearance was in 1963 when they were based in Accra together with Ghana and Ethiopia. They drew 1-1 with Ghana in the opening game and eventually capitulated 2-4 to Ethiopia. Though I have caught glimpses of this tournament on TV, it's all history to me. My first sighting of Tunisia was when they made their second trip to Ghana in 1978. They came to this particular tournament as one of the true favorites after exciting the continent with their superior brand of football enroute to their first World Cup appearance.

The Tunisians are the most skillful among the North African countries. In form they are one of the most delightful teams to watch on the continent. The crowd that gathered to watch their group B opening encounter with Morocco was a testament and the encounter did not disappoint. Until 2004 the Tunisians were regarded as one of the best footballing nations never to have won the Nations Cup. After hosting in 1965, they looked on as Ghana lifted it. Again in 1994 they could only watch as our West African brothers Nigeria annex it, but were third time lucky in 2004. Dos Santos inspired the country to a famous victory but since then the team has been on the decline as the form of Dos Santos waned. The team is struggling to score goals in recent games and this may be the bane of the team at Ghana 2008. Skipper Bouazizi would have to find answers quickly if they are to make it to the last four. A lot of youngsters were used during the qualifiers in an attempt to phase out the Boumnijels, Jaziris, Trabelsis, Ghodhbane, Mnaris and Jaidis. I can't predict the squad that would make it to Tamale but any team in transition is always not the most capable. The Carthage Eagles have over the years provided great players for the African game. Sadok Sassi alias Attouga is their most capped player and my all time favourite. Moktar Dhouib, Ali Kaabs (scored the goal against Morocco in Kumasi in 78), Tarek Dhiab and more recently Sellimi, Zoubier Beya, Ben Slimane, Khaled Badra, Ben Younes and Chokri El Ouaer. My heart will always be with the Tunisians for the way they play the game.

The Lions of Teranga, the pride of West Africa in 2002 are also in this group. This is another team in decline. Senegal has a rich football history dating all the way back to Tunisia 1965 when they made their maiden appearance at the Nations Cup. Who would forget the opening day shocker in 1986 when they defeated host Egypt 1-0, led by the great Jules Bocande. Their true dominance or emergence started in the year 2000 when the current generation began their journey. In the quarter final game against Nigeria, it took a last gasp equalizer by Julius Aghahowa to save the Super Eagles but any serious pundit who watched that young team was left in no doubt about their future. They were clearly the best team in Africa but for the cruel penalty shoot-out, they could have been Africa champions. But the best was yet to come. They stunned the world at the World Cup later in the year and made it all the way to the quarter finals but for the lack of self belief that plagues all African teams at the World Cup, they could have made it at least to the last four. Names like Tony Silva, Habib Beye, Omar Daf, Ferdinand Coly, Lamine Diatta, Diakhate, Papa Bouba Diop, Salif Diao, Alou Cisse, Khalilou Fadiga and El-Hadji Diouf became household names all over Africa. Suddenly Senegalese players were all over the news in terms of transfers. For me that was the beginning of the chain reaction that has virtually destroyed this great side. If our friendly game against them is anything to go by, then I feel they are on the right path - i.e. producing a new generation. Again just like Tunisia, they can either use this tournament to give confidence to their next generation or give the last generation their last attempt at silverware. Whatever their decision, the Teranga Lions would be a delight to watch and for my favourite player Mamadou Niang it would be an opportunity to show Africa his true class. The problem with Senegal is that they tend to go off the boil too easily. Watching them labour before finally beating Tanzania in Dakar during the qualifiers, I knew that was and still is the area they need to work on to regain the heights of 2002 when they thrilled the world.

South Africa, the team that truly epitomises the decline I referred to are also in the mix. This team has been declining steadily and inexplicably since they reached the pinnacle of the African game in 1996. The records speak for themselves: 1996 (winners), 1998 (runners up), 2000 (third place), 2002 (quarter finals), 2004 (Round 1) and 2006 (Round 1 and without scoring a goal). Sometimes it seems the whole country went to sleep and allowed a generation to pass without looking beyond them. Their coach Carlos Parreira is currently building a new team for the World Cup hence this tournament would be part of their learning curve. I sincerely believe that a lot of their countrymen are not expecting this team to bring the trophy home. From the games they have played so far, the task of producing a team capable of making an impact in 2010 in quite remote. One can hardly see any future potential in the team and even their U-23 is pathetic. The boys are only coming to Ghana to learn and nothing more.

Angola would be making their fourth trip to the Nations Cup (1996, 1998 and 2006) and are yet to make it past the first round. Ghana 2008 presents their best opportunity to break this jinx. A lot of people felt that in 2006 after qualifying for the World Cup, they would have made an impact at the CAN. They were drawn in an interesting group including the likes of Cameroon, Togo and Congo DR. They lost their way and couldn't make it out of the group. Tamale in January 2008 presents their best opportunity so far to make it to the quarter finals. I really wish Flavio and company can make the best of this opportunity. I wish all teams in Group D well and hope they provide us with the entertainment we are all yearning for.