the draw for the 2010 Africa Cup was made a couple of days ago, officially beginning the countdown to a big year for African football ...
for many non-African football fans, the Africa Cup is merely a distraction for the African contingent at their favourite club ... but the competition is, doubtless to say, much more than that ... if nothing else, it will be an excellent gauge of African football quality, and will allow expectations to develop as to who looks most likely to carry the continent's hopes furthest a few months later at South Africa 2010 ...
Group A
Angola
Algeria
Mali
Malawi
Group B
Côte d'Ivoire
Ghana
Togo
Burkina Faso
Group C
Egypt
Nigeria
Mozambique
Benin
Group D
Cameroon
Zambia
Tunisia
Gabon
Group B Analysis: I'll start by naming and analyzing the mandatory Group of Death. Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana are two teams tipped to do the continent proud at the World Cup, and are amongst the favourites to win the Africa Cup. In their way will be Togo and Burkina Faso. The Togolese surprised many by qualifying to the World Cup in 2006, but they have been on the wane since. Nevertheless, a few impressive results -- including a victory over a full-strength Cameroon in World Cup qualifying -- show that they are capable off pulling off the odd upset; and when it only takes 6 matches for a team to achieve glory in this competition, that can be significant. Burkina Faso may not be recognized as a genuine threat, but they showed their pedigree in qualifying by pushing Côte d'Ivoire close. This group should be tight, and just about merits the title of 'Group of Death'.
Group A Analysis: Hosts Angola got a fairly easy draw. In fact, I would have picked Mali, Malawi, and Angola to be in Zambia's ideally easy group. The Palancas Negras won't have a much better chance of making a splash at this level, especially in front of their own fans. Mali have a couple of well-known players, but they are not as strong as they were a few years ago. Malawi are a small nation, who cannot be taken lightly when they have home advantage, but do not pose a threat outside their own den. Then there's Algeria who, having upset Egypt in getting to South Africa 2010 a few days ago, will fancy their chances of progressing as group winners. The outcome of Group A may not matter much in the end though, because it is hard to see either Angola and Algeria overcoming Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.
Group C Analysis: Egypt will be smarting from once again failing to qualify for the World Cup, and will look, once again, to defend their title of African Champions. Nigeria, on the other hand, are euphoric, after qualifying for South Africa when they did not really expect circumstance to allow it. As always, the Super Eagles will have big support from their diehard fans, who want to see the recent glory days of the 90s return. They are gunning for the big prize, and facing the defending champions early will provide an excellent litmus test of their chances. The group's underdogs are Benin, and Nigeria's World Cup rescuers Mozambique. Benin may be an unknown quantity to most outside the African continent, but the small West African team have been punching above their weight, beating Ghana in World Cup qualifying, and coming a close runner-up to the Black Stars for a spot in South Africa. Mozambique, for their part, most recently beat Tunisia, so they are capable, but will not be expected to do more than possibly play spoilsport.
Group D Analysis: Finally, Group D, the one which is of most personal interest to me. As I mentioned earlier, I wanted Zambia to be drawn with Angola, Mali, and Malawi. So it is safe to say that the actual draw has NOT provided as easy a group as would have been desired. Facing the big teams, though, provides another type of excitement, even if it makes success an unlikely outcome. In that regard, I have to concede that Zambia are looking like the weakest team in this group. It will be a true "tale of the underdog" if the Chipolopolo can make it out of this group. A bronze medal at CHAN 2009 has already provided such a story for the people of Zambia, but this will be a different team, at a much higher level; only the biggest optimist will dare to believe right now. Cameroon, meanwhile, are contenders for the trophy, and are one of the sides carrying Africa's hopes for a big performance at South Africa 2010. Eto'o is a favourite of mine, as is Achille Emana, so (apart from their match against Zambia) I will be supporting Cameroon for the tournament and at the World Cup. On paper, they are likely to go through as group winners, and will face a mouthwatering tie against either Egypt or Nigeria in the quarters. Tunisia are the strongest challengers for Cameroon in the group. The Carthage Eagles squandered their World Cup chance on the last matchday, and will want a strong run in the Africa Cup to make up for it. They are not unbeatable, as even Mozambique showed, so Zambia and Gabon can take heart. Gabon, the last member of this group, have just completed an impressive World Cup qualifying campaign, pushing Cameroon all the way to the last matchday. They will fancy pulling off an upset here. Group D could be a more open group than people may expect.
Possible Way (that looks most likely on paper) in which the Africa Cup could pan out
Quarters
Algeria v Ghana
Côte d'Ivoire v Angola
Egypt v Tunisia
Cameroon v Nigeria
Semis
Cameroon v Ghana
Côte d'Ivoire v Egypt
Final
Cameroon v Côte d'Ivoire
) if we are going to win this tournament...which we will 
