Africa Cup of Nations 2015: Updated Schedule, Fixtures and Predictions
Despite all the angst in the build-up to this Africa Cup of Nations tournament, so far, the spectacle in Equatorial Guinea has been a thoroughly enjoyable one. With the quarter-finals looming large, the action is only going to get more exciting too.
The football in the group stages hasn’t been of the highest quality, but it’s clear that every team that remains in the tournament at this juncture is competitive and will feel as though they have a fair chance of lifting the trophy.
Here are the fixtures to come in the last eight and a closer look at which teams are best placed to triumph in this engrossing competition.
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| Saturday Jan. 31 | 4 p.m. | Congo vs. Congo DR |
| Saturday Jan. 31 | 7:30 p.m. | Tunisia vs. Equatorial Guinea |
| Sunday Feb. 1 | 4 p.m. | Ghana vs. Guinea |
| Sunday Feb. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Ivory Coast vs. Algeria |
Algeria
The pre-tournament favourites stumbled to a defeat against Ghana in one of their group games, but their most recent win over Senegal suggested that the Fennec Foxes are starting to find form.
On paper they’re the strongest squad in the competition and as noted by Jonathan Wilson of The Guardian, Algeria showed positive signs of their talent last time out:
This Algeria side are looking to become only the second North African side to win this tournament outside of North Africa and Christian Gourcuff will be ensuring that his team remain focused as the business end of the tournament kicks into gear. You suspect an upcoming clash with Ivory Coast will do plenty to sharpen minds.
Yacine Brahimi is a player that has been at the heart of this effervescent attacking team, but there was some concern about his fitness when he was carried of in the Fennec Foxes’ previous game, per beIN Sports:
Getting his intricate talents back in the squad will be vital to their cause you suspect, especially against a team as dynamic as the Elephants. Ivory Coast will be difficult opponents, but this vibrant Algeria side should have enough to get past them and push on to glory.
Tournament prediction: Winners
Ghana
The Black Stars did well to top a very difficult-looking Group C ahead of Algeria, Senegal and South Africa, meaning they will face either Mali or Guinea in the quarter-finals. And you’d have to fancy Avram Grant’s side in that one; they have looked a very capable outfit since their opening day defeat.
Christian Atsu has been the star man for Ghana in this tournament so far, dazzling opponents with his quick feet and blistering pace in wide areas. As we can see here courtesy of Followtonians, the on-loan Everton man was awarded the man-of-the-match accolade in the Black Stars’ vital 2-1 win against South Africa:
It was a game in which Grant’s men had to showcase some real fortitude, though. They were 1-0 down with 17 minutes to go in against Bafana Bafana, but two late goals kept their tournament hopes alive. If they can showcase comparable fighting spirit in the knockout stages, they have an excellent chance of sampling glory.
The Ghanaian president John Dramani Mahama paid tribute to his country’s effort in the aftermath of that titanic clash:
Mentally, you just wonder whether this team have it in them, though. Ghana haven’t won this tournament since 1982 and have accrued a perennial patent for faltering under the pressure of knockout football.
The Black Stars look best-placed to challenge Algeria, but their lack of preparation time—Grant took the job 6 weeks before the tournament—along with their mental frailties will conspire against them at the final hurdle.
Tournament Prediction: Runners-Up
