Sport

AFCON2019: Group ‘A’ preview

GROUP ‘A’ TEAMS: Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Venue: Cairo International Stadium.

General Overview

The Cairo International Stadium is the home venue for the host team. This group made up of host nation Egypt, Dr Congo, Uganda and Zimbabwe is set to record a massive crowd turnout because of the Pharaohs. This is the fifth time the tournament comes to Egypt after hosting the 1959, 1974, 1986 and 2006 editions of the tournament. Surprisingly, apart from DR Congo, none of the nations drawn in this group has appeared at the last three editions of the continental showpiece with the exception of Egypt who reappeared in 2017 after losing out of the 2012, 2013 and 2015 editions.

EGYPT

As record 7 time champions of the tournament and the host nation, the Pharaohs of Egypt are the number one contenders for the 2019 AFCON trophy. And following the results of emerging as runners up at the last edition of their return after seven years, Egypt are well psyched as hosts to clinch the trophy at a vantage venue as home. All the odds are in favour of the homesters. Even the group contenders could favor their bid of progression to the next stage. With teams like Zimbabwe and Uganda, the test will not be a tough one for the Pharaohs though DR Congo could pose a threat. Even that, not one that has the potential to disorganize the host team.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Undoubtedly, the Liverpool lead attacker Mohammed Sallah is already making the headlines for the host nation. The naming of Coach Javier Aguirre’s 23 man squad was headlined by his inclusion and that tells how reliant the Egyptian team is on him. Winning the champions league recently has added a lot of favour to his name and the world is definitely will be out to watch him play his heart out on home soil.

The winger turned forward comes into the tournament with a renewed motivation after becoming the joint top scorer in the English premiership with 22 goals alongside fellow African compatriots Sadio Mane and Pierre Aubameyeng. With 38 league and 12 champions league appearances, the CAF and BBC African player of the year will be a delight to watch in his home country, spearheading the forward line of the record leading AFCON winners, the Pharoahs of Egypt.

YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH

22-year old Baher El Mohamady is the youngest defender in the Egyptian team and plays for Egyptian league side Ismaily. Invited for the first time in September, El Mohamady had already made five appearances with one goal on record already. Coach Javier Aguirre consistent use of the player in the qualifiers is likely to repeat in the tournament. Why fans must look out for this sterling young chap? A defender with goals to his name locally and one in his early international appearance will be a delight to watch.

DR Congo

They are two time champions in 1968 &1974 with 18 appearances at the showpiece. The current “Leopards” of DR Congo have been consistent in the last three editions of the tournament. Exiting at the first round in 2013, the team came back to impress and clinch a 3rd place two years later before exiting in the quarter-final at the last edition. Coach Flaurent Imbenge has been with the team since 2014 and knows every dynamic of the team to ensure he makes success with it. The Leopards went through quite a difficult qualifiers, drawing most of their games with a shocking 2-1 loss against Zimbabwe at home and just one win against Liberia. Coach Imbenge could use the friendly against the Kenyan side to test their recovery ahead of the tournament.

PLAYER TO WATCH

With star striker Dieumerci Mbokani out of the tournament due to injury, obviously the spotlight will be on Anderlecht FC winger Yannick Bolasie. After rejecting call up for some time, he finally made his international debut in a 2014 World Cup qualification 0–0 draw with Libya.

Bolasie ended up being part the Congolese squad that placed third in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and is currently on loan from English side Everton to Anderlecht. He has made 36 appearances for DR Congo with 9 goals.

YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH

Elia Meschak is one of the youngest strikers Ibenge augmented his team with when he took charge of two years later. Indeed Elia has not disappointed himself and his head coach. Born on 6th August 1996, the TP Mazembe forward is likely to put up a fine form at the tournament just as his club level. His scoring prowess at club level has so far reflected at his national duty and is expected to improve on his nine goal accolade since he joined the team.

Uganda

The terrain is one of a struggle for the Cranes of Uganda. Their best finish has been that of a second place in the 1978 edition of the tournament. That was when the showpiece was played by 8 teams split into two groups. The Cranes battled out of the knock out stage, won their semi-final game against the Super Eagles of Nigeria and met host nation Ghana in the final. They were beaten 2-0 in the event that became their best ever as far as participation in the AFCON is concerned. The stats are not favorable for East Africans in the group they find themselves. In the 16 meetings they had with the host nation Egypt, they won only one, drawn two and lost 13 of those encounters. It is almost quite a balanced venture against Dr Congo. Winning 4 and losing 6 against the Leopards with just a single draw, gives the Ugandan’s a psychological leverage to fight for the needed win that could facilitate their progress to the knockout phase. Even though they are touted as minnows Uganda have never had an easy run over Zimbabwe in all their 15 meetings. Winning only two with 5 loses and 8 draws. With this unfavorable record against their three opponents, it is obvious the Cranes are on a war of their own to survive this group.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Emmanuel Okwi’s 69 appearances for Uganda will count in this tournament. He owes the responsibility as the lead man to ensure that the needed points are collected. He has been very instrumental since he joined the team 8 years ago. Following his performance at the Simba Club in Tanzania, coach Sebastian Desabre will count on him to execute his plans of progress to the next stage.

YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH

21-year old Farouk Miya at his age is already a joint top scorer with 21 goals alongside his senior colleague Emmanuel Okwi. With this opportunity at the Nations Cup, the HNK Gorica attacking midfielder will be on to bring a new sensation to the attacking machinery of the Ugandans. At this point any assist from a young chap like him to his team’s attack is vital for qualification.

Zimbabwe

This is the fourth outing for the Warriors of Zimbabwe. Their appearance started in the early 2000’s. Thought they were ousted in the group stages, the head coach of the time Charles Muhlauri used almost the same squad left by his predecessor Sunday Marimo to qualify again 2years later. Since then they have stayed in the wilderness until 2017. The new policy of a third team qualification is no doubt an opportunity for the likes of Zimbabwe to show what they can do African football.

Unfortunately their first game will be against the host nation Egypt and that will be grim war for the Warriors to war. Home support for the host country alone is enough to disorganize such an unestablished team in an opening game. It will take a lot of effort for Zimbabwe to excruciating defeat. Which in no doubt is an almost impossible feat. In 2017 they drew 2-2 in the group stage against North African giants Algeria, played 4-2 against another North African side Tunisia and lost by 2-0 to the Taranga lions of Senegal. But the road to their 2019 AFCON qualification was that of a sterling performance. They had beaten their strongest opponent DR Congo by 2-1 in Kinshasa and managed a draw with them at home. In all they had 3 wins, 2 draws and a loss. Scoring 10 goals and concede 4. Perhaps the scoring abilities of the current Warriors can change their fortunes of progress at the AFCON this time around.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Currently the leading goal scorer with 22 goals for the Warriors of Zimbabwe, skipper Knowledge Musona must carry his team on his shoulders just like he had done in the qualifiers to bring his country this far. On his birthday, the 29 year old Anderlecht attacker and his team will face Egypt in a challenge of survival for themselves. The home team as stated earlier are already in a must win mood as far as their opening game is concerned. How Knowledge will spearhead at least a draw with his team, the world will be out there to watch.

YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH

From the U20, Marvelous Nakamba has progressed steadily into the National team. He earned first call up in 2015 whiles playing for Vittesse Arnhem in Holland. He has made 49 appearance since he joined Club Brugge. He plays in the central midfield and he’s regular at club level. For Zimbabwe he has only 7 appearances to his name and this AFCON will be his opportunity to justify why Sunday Chidzambwa called him to be part of his team.

GAME OF THE GROUP

Egypt vs DR Congo

This is a clash between two experienced sides and though the odds are for the host nation Egypt, DR Congo are never pushovers in a tournament. Out of their seven meetings, only two ended in a draw. The rest were all won by Egypt. However, experience will be the order of the day when these two countries meet.

GROUP PREDICTION

Undoubtedly, the host nation is dominating this group. They have been tagged favorites of the tournament. And considering their record, they have become number one contenders for the holy grail. Against all their three opponents, none has the outright confidence to beat the host nation in a convincing defeat. The best one of them can do is to manage a draw. Per the qualification performance rate, Zimbabwe has exhibited a more potent scoring ability conceding less. An advantage that will aid them in to winning games. DR Congo will not be beaten cheaply by any of his opponents. They will have to struggle to get a win following their poor outing in recent games. But Flaurent Imbenge could change tactics to achieve results in the group face. Uganda on the hand is a stubborn side with poor scoring abilities. Otherwise their resilience on the field of play will go a long way to help them in the group phase.

Predicted Results