13 January 2010

It’s the first international competition on the football calendar - in a year that will go down in history in Africa. But while neighbours South Africa prepare for the continent’s first ever World Cup, Angola 2010 is the 27th round of this continent’s premier sports event. The Africa Cup of Nations is in fact the oldest of the continental championships.

Although nothing new for Africa, this competition certainly is a new departure for Angola.  When the Palancas Negras (or Black Panthers as the hosts are known) stepped out onto the field for their opening game against Mali it was less than eight years since the end of the civil war that blighted the country for so long. This and the fact that Angola has only ever appeared at three previous finals has meant that many people were surprised with the choice of venue for the African showcase. However, the stadia are ready, as the players (including a number of them who have signed up to 1GOAL) and the media circus arrive.



It will be a tough competition. Following a dual qualification process, all the World Cup bound African nations are there, with the exception of South Africa. Egypt, who only missed out on the World Cup by the narrowest of margins, are also present. The Pharaohs are not just looking to retain their title but to make it three in a row after winning it on home soil in 2006 as well as in Ghana two years ago.

1GOAL will certainly have a presence in Angola. The Confederation of African Football is a vital supporter of this global campaign and is offering pitch side space for 1GOAL signs at each of the four venues. On the pitch, many of the footballers already signed with 1GOAL, will make their mark. Ghana’s Black Stars squad has just given its backing to the project. Keeper, Richard Kingston; along with the young, goal scoring sensation Ransford Osei; experienced striker Asamoah Gyan and midfielder Deji Ayew; have all been recorded on camera - adding their support.

In the sixteen nation competition, Ghana play in group B which is by chance all West African and will be expected to make the quarter-finals along with old rivals Ivory Coast at the expense of Burkina Faso and Emmanuel Adebayor’s Togo.  Hosts Angola are in group A along with world cup bound Algeria, Mali with their Spain based stars Frederick Kanoute, Mahmadou Diarra and Seydou Keita, and Malawi. Nigeria , with1GOAL supporters Joseph Yobo, Obafemi Martins and Nwankwu Kanu in their squad are in group C. The two times winners will be expected to go through along with holders Egypt in a group completed by Benin and Mozambique. The final group includes Angola’s neighbour Zambia who will be urged on by their greatest ever player,  1GOAL supporter and now FA President Kalusha Bwalya.  But it will be a tough task to qualify ahead of four time winners Cameroon as well as Gabon and Tunisia.

It is only the second time the competition has been hosted in Southern Africa.  Fourteen years ago South Africa hosted and won. So who will win this time? Six nations appear to stand out.  It is the first time a Portuguese speaking country has welcomed the rest of the continent. While bringing in experienced Portuguese motivational coach Manuel Jose, a semi-final place would still be a success. Once again many people will back Ivory Coast, but two years ago against Egypt the Elephants were trampled all over by Egypt in the semi-final. Cameroon, Nigeria and Ghana, all World Cup bound have the experience, but do they possess the discipline and sense of purpose? Egypt have shown those qualities but it will be a mountain to climb to become the first African Nation to make it a hat-trick of titles.

Regardless of who wins the 27th Africa Cup of Nations, 1GOAL aims to score in Angola. In addition to the pitch-side publicity broadcasters across Africa will carry 1GOAL awareness slots on television and radio. There will also be a 1GOAL team in Angola reminding people that football really can bring about social change.

By 1GOAL's Martin Davies