However, that will not stop soccer-loving Zimbabweans taking an interest. As the tournament kicks off in nine days’ time, Zimbabweans will most probably be rooting for fellow Southern Africans, holders Zambia and dark horse, Angola, who condemned The Warriors to the sidelines when they overturned a 3-1 first leg deficit to cruise through at the expense of the perennially disappointing Zimbabwe.
The draw, made in October last year, does not give clear group favourites among the three Southern African nations.
Hosts South Africa, under new coach Gordon Igesund, are, however, one of the favourites to progress in Group A, where they come up against the Black Impalas of Angola, Cape Verde and Morocco.
Bafana Bafana open the showcase a Soccer City showdown with little but unpredictable Cape Verde on January 19, hoping to collect all three points before they meet the stronger Moroccans and Angolans in Group A.
It remains to be seen whether both Southern Africans will progress to the next round but should one of them have to cede a place, Zimbabweans could well choose Angola, who broke our dream with that 2-0 win in Luanda.
Igesund named what he terms “The Dream Team” recently, which boasts Europe-based professionals. Captained by Greece-based Bongani Khumalo, the team will be powered by Swedish 2011 player of the year, May Mahlangu, who stars for Helsingborg, reliable goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune of Kaizer Chiefs, Anele Nngcongca of Belgian side and Racing Genk Oldham Athletic’s Dean Furman.
The return to action of reliable marksman, Katlego Mphela, who plays for the cash-rich Absa Premiership side, Mamelodi Sundowns, will also boast Igesund’s chances of a gold medal that will see him emulate Clive Barker’s 1996 triumph.
Strikers, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Bernard Parker, were in top form for both club and country last year, scoring 16 goals between them in as many games. Their combination with Swedish-based Tokelo Rantie of Malmo FF will be a cherry on top for the hosts.
Angola are seldom a star-studded team, usually relying on their defensive abilities and highly-physical game to frustrate their opponents and steal a slender victory, or even settle for a draw but their Spanish-based striker, Mateus Alberto Contreiras Gonçalves, better known as “Manucho”, is their leading light.
The Real Valladolid star is the same man whose two strikes took Zimbabwe to the cleaners in Angola.
Reigning champions Zambia come up against Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and fallen continental powerhouse, Nigeria, hoping to prove that their win in Angola last year is actually not what some people seem to think – a fluke.
There are no clear favourites in that group but since Nigeria usually has it easy against Southern African teams, Zambia could be left with the task of having to beat the other three in their bid to successfully defend their title.
Their hopes lie in the brilliance of captain and reigning BBC African Footballer of the Year, Christopher Katongo, goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene and the technical expertise of coach, Herve Renard.
Renard, who saw his side to a campaign that culminated in a penalty shoot-out triumph over Ivory Coast in the Libreville final last year, said the friendly matches were key in their preparations.
“These matches will sharpen us as our first Cup of Nations fixture against Ethiopia is very important. It is crucial to start the tournament well,” said the French-born coach recently.
As the tournament roars into life next week, it remains to be seen if Southern Africa will, for the third time ever, get its place in the sun.
The Groups
GROUP A: South Africa, Cape Verde, Morocco, Angola
GROUP B: Ghana, DR Congo, Niger, Mali
GROUP C: Zambia, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Nigeria
GROUP D: Ivory Coast, Togo, Algeria, Tunisia
Post published in: Football