ACN Ghana 08 | Group B (BENIN, IVORY COAST, MALI, NIGERIA)

[Masry]

BENIN | IVORY COAST | MALI | NIGERIA

BENIN

• FIFA code: BEN
• Country: République du Bénin
• Capital: Porto
• Currency: CFA Franc (XOF)
• Official languages: French
• Motto: "Fraternité, Justice, Travail" (Fellowship, justice, Labour)
• Population (in millions): 8,44 (2005 estimate)
• GDP per inhabitant: $1,176
• Density: 75/km²
• Internet code: .bj

The Benin national football team, nicknamed Les Ecureuils (The Squirrels), is the national football team of Benin and is controlled by the Fédération Béninoise de Football. They were known as the Dahomey national football team until 1975, when Dahomey became Benin. They have never made the World Cup and, prior to their qualification for the 2008 African Cup of Nations, made their only African Nations Cup appearance in 2004.

African Nations Cup record

1957 to 1970 - Did not enter
1972 - Did not qualify
1974 to 1976 - Withdrew
1978 - Did not enter
1980 - Did not qualify
1982 - Did not enter
1984 to 1986 - Did not qualify
1988 to 1990 - Did not enter
1992 to 1994 - Did not qualify
1996 - Withdrew
1998 to 2002 - Did not qualify
2004 - Round 1
2006 - Did not qualify
2008 - Qualified

Squad

Goalkeepers

• Valere Amoussou
• Rachad Chitou
• Yoann Djidonou

Dfenders

• Khaled Adenon
• Anicet Adjamossi
• Damien Chrysostome
• Angueran Edjekpan
• Alain Gaspoz (C)
• Noel Seka
• Bio Ai Traore
• Safradine Traoré

Midfielders

• Jocelyn Ahouéya
• Romuald Boco
• Djiman Koukou
• Mouritala Ogunbiyi
• Jonas Okétola
• Oscar Olou
• Stéphane Sessegnon
• Sosthene Soglo
• Seidath Tchomogo

Strikers

• Wisdom Aka
• Abou Maiga
• Wassiou Oladipupo
• Razak Omotoyossi
• Abdoulaye Ouzerou
• Oumar Tchomogo

Coach

• Reinhard Fabisch

Benin are making their second appearance at the Nations Cup, having squeezed through the back door to Ghana.

They qualified as one of the best runners-up but only because of a superior goal difference to Uganda, with whom they shared the same number of points.

After losing their opening match, the Squirrels went on a great unbeaten run to secure their ticket, including a 4-1 thumping of Togo at home.

But despite spearheading the Beninois' surprise qualification, Wabi Gomez was replaced as head coach last month.

Reinhard Fabisch became yet another German coach at the finals, with Gomez demoted to number two.

Fabisch, 57, is no stranger to African football, having coached Zimbabwe and Kenya on three occasions, but he has been given just six weeks to instil his values on his squad.

Benin's federation is not averse to taking unusual steps.

In December, they tried to expand their player base when advertising on their website for players of Beninois origin to contact them: but none of the 30-odd players who got in touch made the 23-man final squad.

In their previous appearance at Tunisia 2004, the Squirrels lost all their group games and only managed to score in the last minute of their final match.

Having prepared for Ghana in Brazil, Fabisch will be hoping some of the local footballing magic has rubbed off.

Benin's greatest international success has come at youth level, where the Under-20 side finished third while hosting the 2005 African Youth Championship.

The team went on to contest that year's Fifa Under-20 World Cup, giving squad members such as Razak Omotoyossi, Gariga Abou Miaga and Romauld Boco invaluable experience on the big stage.

They will need all that and more as a nation keen to maintain its steady rise looks to perform creditably in a hard group.

With only Togo lying in between Benin and Ghana, the Squirrels, for whom fitness could be a problem, should not be short of fans in Sekondi.

Key player: Muri Ogunbiyi

Muri Ogunbiyi became an African
club champions with Etoile du Sahel

Muri Ogunbiyi is unquestionably Benin's greatest footballing export.

The midfielder picked up his third African Champions League medal last year as Etoile du Sahel's triumph added to his previous ones with Nigeria's Enyimba.

The 25-year-old then took on Mexico's Pachuca and Argentina's Boca Juniors in last month's Fifa Club World Cup in Japan.

Up front, Razak Omotoyossi is a big-money move waiting to happen, having finished joint top scorer in last year's Swedish league for Helsingborgs.

The muscular 22-year-old has pace to burn, loves running at defenders and has greatly benefited from partnering local legend Henrik Larsson.

Verdict: Squeezed in to Ghana through the back door and can expect to exit it pretty soon, as they are no match for their West African rivals.

The Squirrels will say they're coming to qualify but avoiding defeat in any one of their games would be a triumph.

Rachid Chitou may be a good goalkeeper but he will have his hands full - or perhaps empty - in this challenging group.

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IVORY COAST

• FIFA code: CIV
• Country: République de Côte d'Ivoire
• Capital: Yamoussoukro (today) - Abidjan
• Major cities: Abidjan, Bouaké, Daloa, Yamoussoukro, San-Pédro, Divo.
• Currency: CFA Franc (XOF)
• Official languages: French
• Motto: ("Unity, Discipline and Labour")
• Population (in millions): 17,65 (2006 estimate)
• GDP per inhabitant: $1,600
• Density: 56/km²
• Internet code: .ci

The Côte d'Ivoire national football team (sometimes written "Ivory Coast" in English), nicknamed Les Éléphants (The Elephants), is the national team of Côte d'Ivoire and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football. Until 2005, their greatest accomplishment was winning the 1992 African Cup of Nations against Ghana on penalties at the Stade de l'Amitie in Dakar, Senegal.

Côte d'Ivoire was the only nation to name a 23-man World Cup squad comprised entirely of players who play their club football outside their home country.

The Côte d'Ivoire team is notable for having participated in (and won) the two highest-scoring penalty shoot-outs in international football competition - the 24-shot shoot-out in the final of the 1992 African Cup of Nations when Ghana was defeated 11-10, and the 24-shot shoot-out in the quarter-final of the 2006 African Cup of Nations, when Cameroon was defeated 12-11

African Nations Cup record

1957 to 1963 - Did not enter
1965 - Third Place
1968 - Third place
1970 - Fourth place
1972 - Did not qualify
1974 - Round 1
1976 - Did not qualify
1978 - Disqualified
1980 - Round 1
1982 - Did not enter
1984 - Round 1
1986 - Third place
1988 - Round 1
1990 - Round 1
1992 - Champions
1994 - Third place
1996 - Round 1
1998 - Quarterfinals
2000 - Round 1
2002 - Round 1
2004 - Did not qualify
2006 - Second place
2008 - Qualified

Squad

Goalkeepers

• Boubacar Barry
• Stephan Loboué
• Tiassé Koné

Dfenders

• Arthur Boka
• Constant Djapka
• Emmanuel Eboué
• Steve Gohouri
• Abdoulaye Méïté
• Kolo Touré
• Marc Zoro

Midfielders

• Emerse Faé
• Koffi Ndri Romaric
• Siaka Tiéné
• Yaya Touré
• Didier Zokora

Strikers

• Aruna Dindane
• Didier Drogba (C)
• Salomon Kalou
• Abdul Kader Keïta
• Arouna Koné
• Bakari Koné
• Gervais Yao Kouassi
• Boubacar Sanogo

Coach

• Gerard Gili

Many peoples' favourites will fancy their chances like never before, especially since they are playing in conditions they know well.

Ivory Coast are strong at home, losing just one competitive match this decade, and now they are playing across the border.

As in 2000, the Elephants will be heavily supported in Ghana - and their confident fans will be backing a team which, like the Nigerian squad, is bursting with talent.

The likes of Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Didier Zokora and Bakaray Kone line up behind an embarrassment of riches in attack: take your pick from captain Didier Drogba, Arouna Kone, Salomon Kalou and Aruna Dindane.

The latter missed the Ivorians' trip to the final two years ago, after the tragic death of one of his daughters on the eve of the tournament.

Unfortunately, troubling family concerns have surfaced once again for the Ivorians.

Just two weeks before their opener, coach Uli Stielike learnt his son had fallen into a coma and resigned a few days later.

His post has been filled by Olympic coach Gerard Gili, who assisted former coach Henri Michel at the 2006 Nations and World Cups. Despite results going against them, the Ivorians impressed in Germany and they could go all the way in Ghana if they have learned the lessons.

During his reign, Stielike had tightened up the Ivorian defence, so that a side which shipped six goals in three World Cup ties did not concede once in four qualifiers.

This was admittedly in a weak group containing Gabon and Madagascar, so one downside for the Elephants is the absence of a true competitive test since Germany.

Key players: Drogba

Didier Drogba has recovered from
injury in time for the tournament

Part-footballer, part-battering ram, Drogba is in a league of his own up front.

But the reigning African Footballer of the Year is just returning from knee surgery in December and faces a battle to be fully fit for Ghana.

The Chelsea star scored three times en route to the 2006 final, where he then fluffed chances that could have won the trophy.

At the other end, the ever-dependable Kolo Toure will be the rock upon which all Ivorian displays are built.

He will have to be because the Elephants' Achilles heel is goalkeeper Boubacar Barry, who has failed to convince since replacing Jean-Jacques Tizie last year.

Verdict: There's no reason why the Elephants cannot go one better than finishing runners-up in Egypt.

After their maiden World Cup appearance, the squad has greater experience, greater confidence, a key player back in the shape of Dindane - and the conditions in neighbouring Ghana will be very familiar.

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MALI

• FIFA code: MLI
• Country: République du Mali
• Capital: Bamako
• Currency: CFA Franc (XOF)
• Official languages: Frenh (Malian French)
• Motto: "Un peuple, un but, une foi" (One People, One Goal, One Faith)
• Population (in millions): 12
• GDP per inhabitant: $1,154
• Density: 11/km²
• Internet code: .ml

The Mali national football team, nicknamed Les Aigles (The Eagles), is the national team of Mali and is controlled by the Fédération Malienne de Football. They have never qualified for the World Cup finals; in fact, although the association was affiliated with FIFA in 1962, Mali's first World Cup qualifier wasn't played until 2000.

African Nations Cup record

1957 to 1963 - Did not enter
1965 to 1970 - Did not qualify
1972 - Second place
1974 - Did not qualify
1976 - Did not qualify
1978 - Disqualified
1980 - Did not enter
1982 to 1986 - Did not qualify
1988 - Withdrew
1990 - Did not qualify
1992 - Did not qualify
1994 - Fourth place
1996 - Did not qualify
1998 - Did not qualify
2000 - Did not qualify
2002 - Fourth place
2004 - Fourth place
2006 - Did not qualify
2008 - Qualified

Squad

Goalkeepers

• Soumaila Diakite
• Mahamadou Sidibe
• Oumar Sissoko

Dfenders

• Adama Coulibaly
• Moussa Coulibaly
• Souleymane Diamoutene
• Cédric Kanté
• Boubacar Koné
• Amadou Sidibe
• Adama Tamboura
• Sammy Traor

Midfielders

• Souleymane Dembele
• Drissa Diakite
• Mahamadou Diarra (C)
• Seydou Keita
• Djibril Sidibe
• Mohamed Sissoko
• Bassala Toure

Strikers

• Mamadou Diallo
• Mahamadou Dissa
• Frederic Kanoute
• Mamady Sidibe
• Dramane Traore

Coach

• Jean-François Jodar

Mali have perhaps the strangest record in the history of the Nations Cup.

They have only contested four tournaments, yet have been semi-finalists on every occasion.

Despite making the last four in both 2002 and 2004, Mali failed to qualify for Egypt 2006.

This time around, the Eagles displayed their pedigree when reaching Ghana with a 2-0 win in Togo, a match the home side also had to win to qualify.
The rioting that followed left physical scars on strikers Frederic Kanoute and Mamady Sidibe but both will be in Ghana.

Until Mali lost friendlies to both Senegal and Algeria in November, coach Jean-Francois Jodar had spent the first 16 months of his reign unbeaten.

Nonetheless, the Frenchman knows that the 1972 runners-up have yet to lose a competitive match under his charge.

Able to call upon star forward Kanoute, creative midfielder Seydou Keita, Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra and Liverpool's Momo Sissoko, it is little wonder Eagles fans believe this is the best squad in recent history.

Unfortunately for their hopes, Jodar's men have been placed in a very tough group.

Yet this is little different to their qualifying group, when Mali shipped just one goal while taking on Togo's 2006 World Cup finalists and fellow qualifiers Benin.

Incidentally, both matches against the Beninois, who they meet on 21 January, ended in draws.

Like so many of this year's finalists, the West Africans will be comfortable with the conditions in Ghana - and with a squad including many players who finished third at the 1999 Under-20 World Cup in Nigeria, the tournament's location suggests it is now or never for Mali.

Key players: Kanoute, 30, who has been in inspirational form for all-conquering Spaniards Sevilla in recent years, is undoubtedly Mali's main attacking threat.

He scored four goals at Tunisia 2004 and must be clinical again if Mali are to reach the quarter-finals.



Setting him up will be club colleague Seydou Keita, with Mali's playmaker having greatly impressed since joining the Uefa Cup champions in July.
The left-footed midfielder can regularly be found assisting both his defence and his forwards.

Seydou Keita plays with Mali striker
Fredi Kanoute with Sevilla in Spain

Verdict: Mali have been poorly rewarded for an impressive qualifying campaign.

Although they boast quality in midfield and attack, their defence does not look strong enough to cope with what the Nigerian and Ivorian forwards will throw at them.

A disappointing group exit for a side that would have reached the quarter-finals elsewhere.

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NIGERIA

• FIFA code: NGA
• Country: Ìjọba-Àpapọ̀ Orílẹ̀-èdè Naìjírìà
• Capital: Abuja
• Currency: Nigerian Naira (NGN)
• Official languages: English - Regional languages (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba)
• Motto: "Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress"
• Population (in millions): 133, 53 (2005 estimate)
• GDP per inhabitant: $1,500
• Density: 145/km²
• Internet code: .ng

The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Association. The highest position ever reached on the ranking was 5th in April 1994.

African Nations Cup record

1957 - Did not enter
1959 - Did not enter
1962 - Withdrew
1963 - Round 1
1965 - Did not enter
1968 - Did not qualify
1970 - Withdrew
1972 - Did not qualify
1974 - Did not qualify
1976 - Third place
1978 - Third place
1980 - Champions
1982 - Round 1
1984 - Second place
1986 - Did not qualify
1988 - Second place
1990 - Second place
1992 - Third place
1994 - Champions
1996 - Withdrew from tournament
1998 - Disqualified for failure to participate in 1996
2000 - Second place
2002 - Third place
2004 - Third place
2006 - Third place
2008 - Qualified

Squad

Goalkeepers

• Vincent Enyeama
• Dele Aiyenugba
• Austin Ejide

Dfenders

• Onyekachi Apam
• Danny Shittu
• Rabiu Afolabi
• Ifeanyi Emeghara
• Joseph Yobo
• Taye Taiwo
• Obinna Nwaneri

Midfielders

• Dickson Etuhu
• John Obi Mikel
• Seyi Olofinjana
• Onyekachi Okonkwo
• Richard Eromoigbe

Strikers

• Ikechukwu Uche
• John Utaka
• Peter Odemwingie
• Nwankwo Kanu (C)
• Yakubu Aiyegbeni
• Stephen Makinwa
• Victor Nsofor Obinna
• Obafemi Martins

Coach

• Obafemi Martins

Few national team supporters approach tournaments with as much optimism as Nigerians, yet their beloved Super Eagles regularly fail to deliver on the big stage.

This, though, is not for the want of trying.

Since 1984, the Nigerians boast a remarkable Nations Cup record.

Incredibly, they have reached the semi-final stage at every finals they have contested, but of those nine occasions, only once have they have gone on to triumph - in 1994.

Now though, they have a coach who knows what it takes to win on the biggest stage.

German Berti Vogts not only won the World Cup as a player (in 1974), but also coached his homeland to European Championship glory in 1996.

Yet that triumph is slipping ever further into history and like the Super Eagles themselves, he needs a new success to smarten up his CV.

Fortunately for both, there are some terrific Nigerian footballers at present to help - Obafemi Martins, Mikel Jon Obi and Yakubu Ayegbeni prominent among them.

The Super Eagles, who can count on plenty of support as fans travel to nearby Ghana, undoubtedly possess one of the strongest squads at the tournament.

This has been the case before, but indiscipline has often let the team down.
In typically efficient German fashion, Vogts will do his best to remove any obstacles to a third Nigerian success.

It has long been tempting to contemplate how far Nigeria's ill-disciplined talent could go if harnessed by a strong European coach and Ghana now provides the platform.

Yet delayed salary payments recently prompted the coach to consider his position, lamenting: "If football in Nigeria was organised as in Germany, the team would be unbeatable. Even Brazil would have to watch out."

Key players: A strong spine is essential to winning tournaments and Nigeria have exactly that.

France-based goalkeeper Austin Ejide has plenty of experience after contesting two African Champions League finals with Tunisia's Etoile du Sahel, while Joseph Yobo's defensive qualities speak for themselves.

Ejide will bring experience between
the posts to the Super Eagles

In midfield, Mikel Jon Obi's performances bely his tender years while up front, Martins will always stretch defences.

Should he fail, there are of course the likes of Nwanko Kanu, Stephen Makinwa, Yakubu and John Utaka to bail him out.

Verdict: A win against Ivory Coast in their opening match could not only spur the Super Eagles to top the group but also avoid a quarter-final clash with likely Group A leaders Ghana.

Defeat, on the other hand, would sow qualifying doubts with Mali to follow.

Nigeria to be semi-finalists again, but this time they could go that one bit further.

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Fixtures

- January 21, 2008, 17 GMT (Sekondi)
Nigeria v Côte d'Ivoire

....- January 21, 2008, 19.30 GMT (Sekondi)
Mali v Benin

- January 25, 2008, 17 GMT (Sekondi)
Côte d'Ivoire v Benin

....- January 25, 2008, 19.30 GMT (Sekondi)
Nigeria v Mali

- January 29, 2008, 17 GMT (Sekondi)
Nigeria v Benin

- January 29, 2008, 17 GMT (Accra)...
Côte d'Ivoire v Mali

Takoradi Stadium, Sekondi
Ohene Djan Sports Stadium, Accra

[adjan2]

Well, it's very interesting group. Ivory Coast seems to be really strong. Mali and Nigeria have few great players and I think they'll fight for 2nd place. As for Benin, I can't see them even as dark horse of this tournament.

By the way, is Obafemi Martins coach of Nigeria

[gokeye1026]

'80, '94, '08??? Every 14 years? That will be sweet!

[mcs10]

1. ivory 2nigeria 3 mali 4benin

[presumptious85]

what a tough group we are this year and our game with ivory coast 2moro will determine how gud our squad is because in all honesty i have heavy doubts in them.

[talk2smc]

very entertaining first half so far between IC and Nigeria, imo IC seems just to have a bit of the upper hand, but losing out in possession in the final third. this one will probably be close for the last 45, i think it may end up 1-1, or 1-0 to IC. Kalou needs to be a little quicker finding the open man, delivering it to Drogba or Dindane, but they look strong in midfield and final third.

also, the stadium conditions here look much nicer than in Accra. the pitch seems to be more manageable and not so long so the play flows nicely. crowd seems far removed from the pitch, but other than that it seems like a very nice pitch which isnt hindering the play like in Accra.

[Nelly]

Good goal from Kalou....1-0 Ivory Coast

[talk2smc]

beautiful goal, dribbling thru about 3 players and beating the keeper, very good match so far with these 2 african giants. nice to see a chelsea man on the board too

very impressed with Barry the IC keeper, seemed very solid against an extremely offensive lineup with utaka, yakubu, martins, even taiwo. yaya toure was also very solid in midfield, kalou's goal a great individual effort but not his greatest game either.

not to worry, we will see these 2 teams in the next round, hopefully Kanu's injury isnt serious as well

[Dogme]

Well this is going to be an interesting evenings football! The floodlights have gone out before the Benin v Mali match had a chance to get started!! They were all warming up, and everything went dark. They've done the shaking hands with the other team and the match officials thing, and now they're just standing around waiting for the lights to come back on. They'll have to go through the whole warm up routine soon if play doesn't start.

Mali - Benin :