Posted by By COSMAS OMEGOH on
Group C clashes are underway this evening in Kumasi, Ghana, as the Africa Cup of Nations challenge enters its Day 7. Embattled Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, who were handed a shocking 4-2 defeat by the defending champions, Egypt, are set to devour the Chipolopolo of Zambia. Later in the evening, the Egyptian Pharaohs, who opened their title defence on a blistering note, will seek the scalp of their southern neighbours, the Nile Crocodiles of Sudan.
…As Pharaohs seek Nile Crocodiles' skins
Group C clashes are underway this evening in Kumasi, Ghana, as the Africa Cup of Nations challenge enters its Day 7. Embattled Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, who were handed a shocking 4-2 defeat by the defending champions, Egypt, are set to devour the Chipolopolo of Zambia. Later in the evening, the Egyptian Pharaohs, who opened their title defence on a blistering note, will seek the scalp of their southern neighbours, the Nile Crocodiles of Sudan.
Cameroon are favourites to progress from the group despite their disappointing opener against Egypt last Tuesday. The four-time winners of the championship are expected to rise from the ashes of that defeat to decision the Chipolopolos and claim their first victory.
The Lions showed real flashes of their fighting spirit in their opening game, but unfortunately, got overwhelmed by their opponents. Analysts believe that the current Lions have well passed their prime, which was why the Pharaohs, who are younger, drew rings around them.
Talk about drive and the physique, the Cameroonians have them. But the Olto Pfister-piloted side needed to add the technical and tactical dept the Lions were known for to make real impact. With the presence of their star striker, Samuel Eto'o Fils, there is hope the team will go all the way to victory, but that depends on whether the Zambians will allow that to happen.
The Zambian side announced they were not in the championship for fun last Tuesday, when they smashed Sudan 3-0. Coach of Chipolopolo and former Zambian international, Patrick Phiri, will launch the same squad that demolished Sudan against the Lions. Majority of the squad plays in the Zambian domestic leagues. But youth and urgency are factors that are going well for them. However, that would be put on the scale this evening to determine how far they might go with Cameroon.
Later in the evening the Pharaohs of Egypt look forward to stretching their victory to two. The team, whose members largely play in the Egyptian League, showed speed, tact and determination in their opening game. Mohammed Zidan and Hosi Abd Rabou, who hit a brace each, may likely be playing with greater intensity to give their side a resounding victory.
Having tamed the Indomitable Lions, the Nile Crocodiles may not pose any serious threat to the enterprising Egyptians. But the Pharaohs must have to increase the tempo of their game to take the three points at stake.
Victory for the Egyptians may not come easy. Coach of the Sudanese side, Mohammed Abdullahi, knows that their pride is at stake. The All Sudanese-based squad, drawn from Al Hilal and El Merrikh Football Clubs, put up a good showing against Zambia, but lost out at the end. They will throw everything into this evening's battle to ensure they're not disgraced, as their chances of a quarterfinal berth look unlikely.