Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations Angola 2010 has Angola, Algeria, Mali and Malawi. According to the November 2009 rankings the teams rank as follows (World, Africa): Angola (94, 20), Mali (47, 7), Algeria (28, 4), Malawi (94, 21).
Malawi is the worst ranked team in the group but as we know, rankings don’t mean anything. (”FIFA’s rankings are not exactly foolproof, and it’s not at all difficult to imagine a team like Ireland or Ukraine beating a team like Portugal or France over two legs come November 14th and 18th“). Did Morocco (67, 12), Guinea (75, 15), Uganda (78, 16), South Africa (86, 17) Senegal (89, 18), qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations Angola 2010?
On 6 July 1993, Rwanda – ranked 119th in the world (then)- sensationally beat Ghana 1-0 at home in Group 5, in a match Ghana’s Black Stars only needed to draw to go to Tunisia (2004 Africa Cup of Nations). But Jimmy Gatete’s 60th minute goal was enough to turn the group on its head and see Rwanda make it to the finals at the expense of one of Africa’s most high-profile sides. Some may say the example is outdated. Fine. Let me give you a recent example. Malawi (94,21) drew 1-1 against Ivory Coast (16, 2).
What the coaches said after the draw:
Angola coach Manuel Jose: “Angola has a strong chance. This is the best of groups we can envisage. We have avoided the ‘big teams’ and it is good for us”
Algeria coach Setif Entente: “I am satisfied with the draw. It’s a good group compared to Ivory Coast’s or Cameroon’s, which are both difficult. I think we have a very good chance to advance to the quarter finals.”
Malawi Coach Kinnah Phiri: “It’s a fair draw for Malawi. It gives us the possibility to qualify. It’s not a group of death. It’s really favorable but we need thorough preparations.” (Do you remember the “which team in pot 1 would you want Malawi to play against?” poll?).
Former Angolan football legend Akwa: “It’s not just Algeria and Angola that could go through, Mali have a good national team and they can give us a lot of problems” he said. However, when asked how far Angola can go, he said “I believe we can reach the final”.
