As the CAN championship matches continue in the group of sixteen, so are the surprises and upsets springing up here and there. It is no news that the super Eagles of Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa have swept the carpet under football fans and experts. The South Africans have succeeded in keeping doubters quite as they continued to show their dominance over the North Africans.
We are expecting nothing different from the matches that will be taking place today in the CAN championship group of 16, being that every team has something up its sleeve and no one is to be written off.
Madagascar vs DR Congo
Madagascar, the new entrant into the remaining group of 16 for the first time is a team to watch. The Zebus qualified to partake in the championship were designated as under dogs proved everybody wrong by finishing top in their group without loosing a single match. Nigeria, which is expected to have a smooth sailing were beaten hands down by the Madagascans. Attaining the knockout stage is already a major feat for the white, green and red team, which ordinarily should be enough for a first timer, but no, Madagascar is now dreaming of continuing right up to the finals and clinching the trophy.
For the Madagascans to progress to the quarter finals, it will be necessary to defeat DR Congo first. For is to happen, it will not be out of place to surmise that a miracle must happen. The Leopards of Congo, who initially lost two of their matches in the group stages against Uganda and Egypt, have fans concluding that they are out of the race. But Florent Ibenge's players picked themselves up, showed surprising strength and determination won their match against Zimbabwe with a convincing 4:0 finishing and qualifying to the next round as the best third losers. Showed immense pride in crushing Zimbabwe in the last match (4-0) and qualify themselves as one of the best third.
Algeria vs Guinea
Algeria can be described as the team with the most successful outings so far during the first round matches. With three wins, six goals scored and conceding none, one is at liberty to think them the most fortunate. The Fennecs convincingly defeated Senegal, thanks to the goal scored by Belaili. The Algerian coach Belmadi Djamel, appears to have a firmer grip on his players such that he has achieve a balance between discipline and panache unequaled in the championship so far.
The Guineans cannot be said to be on the same pedestal with the Algerians, mainly because they have not enjoyed the same level of success during the first round matches. They may not share the same fortunes with the Algerians, but to dream of becoming African CAN champions they must. With a solid defense and a team mate like Yattara leading the Guinean attack, Yattara is known to manufacture goals from nowhere while the opponents are caught ball watching.
My Thoughts
Like i said above, all the matches played at this level has beaten our imaginations. Most predictions if not all have gone down the sewers. I cant imagine the situations of most bookies and their tide with what has been happening in the CAN championship. The only thing i can only say at this point is, MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN THE MATCH.
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