Africa Cup of Nations: Winners and Losers from Day 4
Matchday 4 saw the commencement of hostilities in Africa Cup of Nations Group D.
The action came to the capital, Malabo, as West African pair the Ivory Coast and Guinea clashed, before Cameroon and Mali became the final two sides to kick off their AFCON campaigns.
Once again, fans were treated to a pair of stalemates, but that’s not to say that there was a lack of drama or quality.
In this article we present the winners and losers from AFCON day four.
Winners: Mali
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Despite being named as “winners” here, Mali might be aggrieved with their showing against Cameroon.
The Eagles let a one-goal lead slip when Ambroise Oyongo fired home with six minutes on the clock, and they could have won it late on. Modibo Maiga strayed offside before heading home following a Fabrice Ondoa error, but he could still have scored had he checked his run.
However, Mali troubled their more illustrious opponents and will be not be eliminated without a fight at this 2015 African showpiece.
The Eagles defended stoutly and in left-back Adama Tamboura have a livewire of an attacking threat who will look to trouble Guinea and the Ivory Coast.
The burly forward play of brothers Mustapha and Sambou Yatabare, in particular, may cause the Elephants’ troubled defensive unit some problems.
Losers: Cameroon
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Having watched the Ivory Coast labour to a 1-1 draw with unfancied Guinea earlier in the day, the Indomitable Lions headed into their battle with Mali knowing that a win would hand them the initiative in Group D.
Indeed, a positive result in their next match against the Syli National would have meant that the pressure would have been off when they met Yaya Toure and Co. in the final group bout.
However, the Central African giants will need to improve after struggling to ignite against Mali.
Talented widemen Vincent Aboubakar, Eric Choupo-Moting and Benjamin Moukandjo were worryingly absent, while Volker Finke surprisingly refused to turn to Leonard Kweuke or Clinton N’Jie.
Ultimately, Finke’s blushes were saved by a fine finish from a full-back. Admittedly, that worked for Italy in 2006, but it’s hardly an auspicious start for the would-be African champions.
Winners: Guinea
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Apart from hosts Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo, one could argue that Guinea are the poorest team in the 2015 Cup of Nations.
The side may have qualified against the odds and by demonstrating incredible resolve and resiliency in light of the Ebola epidemic ravaging their homeland, but few gave them much chance of escaping from Group D.
That perception might have changed during their opening clash with the Ivory Coast.
Admittedly, Guinea let their lead slip—the match finished 1-1—but the Syli Nationale will doubtless have impressed a few neutrals.
During qualification, the West Africans transitioned to a 4-1-4-1 formation, and this switch, which sees Boubacar Fofana sit ahead of the defence, has provided defensive stability while ensuring that Michel Dussuyer’s side have an offensive threat through Ibrahima Conte, Ibrahima Traore and Mohamed Yattara.
When diminutive midfielder Seydouba Soumah returns from suspension, they will be even stronger still.
Losers: Ivory Coast
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It’s hard to be too positive about the Ivory Coast after their AFCON opener.
Admittedly, the Elephants looked better defensively, and they surely can’t get any worse than they did during the opening 45 minutes, but they looked nothing like champions elect.
Unfortunately for Herve Renard, the only player who gave a good account of himself during the first half was Gervinho, but the AS Roma forward will now be missing after receiving a straight red for lashing out at Naby Keita.
They escaped with a point against Guinea—following Seydou Doumbia’s late goal—but can they rediscover their verve ahead of contests with Mali and Cameroon?
Losers: Eyong Enoh
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Yesterday, Zambia were rocked by the news that Nathan Sinkala was ruled out of the tournament after picking up a knee injury against the Democratic Republic of Congo [via Kick Off]. The defensive midfielder is the linchpin for Chipolopolo and Honour Janza’s side will feel his absence keenly.
Today, it was the turn of Eyong Enoh to see his Cup of Nations participation flash before his eyes.
The Standard Liege midfielder was injured inside the first 15 minutes and was replaced just after the quarter-hour mark.
It remains to be seen what further role Enoh can play in this tournament.
He may not be Cameroon’s most high-profile player, but he is a key figure in Volker Finke’s side. The ex-Ajax man performs a calming role in the heart of the park, influencing both attack and defence, and brings consistency to the Lions’ midfield.
Before the final AFCON qualifier, the dead rubber against the Ivory Coast, he started a consecutive 19 matches for the Lions.
His absence may leave Cameroon understaffed in midfield and may, once again, raise questions about Finke’s decision to ignore Alex Song during the build-up to the tournament.
