2014 African Nations Championship

Set to start on 11th January.

With only local based players set to feature it remains a great place to feature untapped talent. Strong favorites will be the hosts South Africa, strong league Morocco and Keshi-led Nigeria in what is in a general a lopsided draw.

I would place the Nigeria games at high level of interest, as they are the sole CHAN contender to also feature at the World Cup, whilst Keshi is known for his liking of untapping local talent. Therefore some of the best performers for Nigeria will almost definitely feature at the World Cup. Keshi has also announced he will be taking members of the U17 World Cup winning team to South Africa, so it'll be the first opportunity to see how the youth perform against adults.

South Africa vs Nigeria the game to watch (if possible)!

Group A
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
South Africa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mali 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nigeria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mozambique 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Group B
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Zimbabwe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Uganda 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Burkina Faso 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Morocco 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

 

Oops...
Ghana the only other World Cup side and although Appiah is unlikely to pick up anyone from the domestic setup, it might just happen...

 

NIGERIA'S CHAN TEAM:
GOALKEEPERS: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC); Dele Alampasu (Abuja Football College)

DEFENDERS: Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Francis Benjamin (Heartland FC); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars); Ikechukwu Gabriel (Bayelsa United); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC); Erhun Obanor (Insurance FC)

MIDFIELDERS: Ugonna Uzochukwu (Enugu Rangers); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Christian Pyagbara (Sharks FC); Ikenna Hilary (Sunshine Stars); Abdullahi Shehu (Kano Pillars); Joshua Obaje (Warri Wolves)

FORWARDS: Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers); Gbolahan Salami (Shooting Stars); Barnabas Imenger (Lobi Stars); Aliyu Ibrahim (Nasarawa United); Christian Obiozor (Enugu Rangers); Ifeanyi Ede (Enyimba FC)

If you didn't make this list than you're not making the World Cup. Expect Keshi to use this tournament to assess local based players and the March 5th friendly to assess foreign based players.

Players to watch:
Rabiu Ali - seasoned all action midfielder, current GLO league player of the season.
Christian Pyagbara - 17 year old no nonsense winger, who has been a revelation in the league.
Abdullahi Shehu - defensive player with some flair, featured at this years U20 World Cup, was a standout at right back.
Bright Esieme - great prospect at right back, hopefully will oust Solomon Kwambe, who is simply not good enough.

Some videos:

 

GHANA SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Foli Adade (Medeama), Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars) , Isaac Amoako (Asante Kotoko)

Defenders: Kwabena Adusei, Abeiku Ainooson (both Asante Kotoko), Tijani Joshua (AshantiGold), Francis Morton (Ebusua Dwarfs), Alfred Nelson (Liberty Professionals), Godfred Saka (Aduana Stars), Nuru Sulley (Hearts of Oak)

Midfielders: Michael Akuffo (Asante Kotoko), Theophilus Anobaah (Medeama), Aseidu Attorbrah (New Edubiase), Latif Mohammed (AshantiGold), Yahaya Mohammed, Richard Mpong, Jordan Opoku (all Asante Kotoko), Jackson Owusu (Berekum Chelsea)

Strikers: Samuel Afful (Hasaacas), Paul De-Vries Asare (Wa All Stars), Seidu Bansey (Asante Kotoko), Kennedy Boateng (Medeama), Sulley Mohammed (King Faisal)

Players to watch:
Paul De-Vries Asare - young striker on the rise, apparently hasn't been a player this talented for years.
Richard Mpong - excellent dribbler, but inconsistent.
Jordan Opoku - an attacking midfielder, arguably the best in the league.

 

The Morocco draw is surprising. Expected them to troll this tournament.

 

I'm a bit frightened that the tournament will be a non-tournament with South Africa mauling most opponents. They basically have almost their entire national side playing - you know, the one that beat Spain late last year...

They've sent a pretty old side. But as far as finding out new talent its light in that department. Most are known qualities and given that I feel that the only players to watch are the younger guys: defender/midfielder Vilakazi and Mkwanazi. Mkwanazi is 23 and the best midfielder in the league, easily EPL material. Vilakazi is fast and furious - watch him nutmeg opponents.

South Africa is fun to watch - lots of movement, dribbles, one-twos. They are mostly small-framed (very unlike West African teams), quick and mobile. Like a local Spain, but with more flair and way worse passing.

As for Mali: Your guess is as good as mine The one reason to watch this tournament is to see how good local players are / how bad scouting in Africa is (that they missed these players).

EDIT: No Vilakazi.

 

Should have been a penalty for Mali.

 

Khune (GK) almost scores a goal from his half. World class distributor of the ball. Never count him out to score those...

 

A couple of great goals, but Dario with a belter (still think a good keeper would save this and Agbim just let himself be surprised):


Rabiu Ali and Abdullahi Shehu the only ones making a good case for their inclusion to the World Cup squad.

 

Superb motivator if nothing else. Morocco 3:0 up at halftime, ends 4:3 after extra time.

Here the highlights:


This tournament is turning out to be a thrilling competition, if nothing else. Nigerian locals beat Morocco, who has one of the strongest domestic leagues in Africa.