They say doing predictions is putting your reputation on the line, and after a 100% record in predicting who would emerge from the groups, I have a 0% from the first set of quarter finals, so if you use my blogs for betting, stop now!


I had expected both Angola and Cote d'Ivoire to reach the last four, but both crashed out, the latter in a fashion very similar to 2008.


Angola came into this game having not lost a game, and kept a 2 clean sheets after gifting Mali 4 goals in the opening match. They lined up in their now staple 3-5-2 formation, Mabina and Gilberto the marauding wing backs, and star striker Flavio recovering from injury to partner Manucho. Ghana on the otherhand in a 4-5-1, Udinese's Kwadwo Asamoah coming in for Amoah, and Gyan up front alone.


The match was barely 30 seconds old when Andre Ayew was given a deserved yellow card for clattering into Mabina. Angola kept playing their expansive game, playing it wide for Gilberto and Mabina to put in crosses, but against the run of play, Asamoah Gyan latched onto a beautiful pass from central midfield  by Kwadwo Asamoah, and taking one touch after outpacing the defence, smashed a right foot shot past Carlos Fernandes, who should have reacted quicker to stop it, 1-0. For the rest of the half, Ghana sat deep and Angola ratcheted up the rhythm, Manucho heading straight at Kingston when it looked a certain goal. Mucho missed another golden chance, Flavio setting him up only for his shot to go way over the bar with Kingston beaten.


The second half, Ghana slowed the game down, packed midfield and played tactically on the break, Gyan keeping the ball very well with Draman. Angola pushed, but it was all too predictable, playing it wide for crosses, but Ghana were able to clear their lines. Mucho missed another clear chance by heading over the bar, and just when it looked like Kali had got a very late equaliser, Vorsah cleared off the line. However by this time, the crowd had become quiet, and the dream was over for the hosts, and Ghana are now searching for their first title since 1982.


The second game saw favourites the Elephants of Cote D'Ivoire take on the erratic Desert Foxes of Algeria. Cote d'Ivoire lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Gervinho partnering Drogba, Algeria in a 4-5-1 formation. Algeria had scored only once this tournament, against a very poor Mali, whilst Cote d'Ivoire were poor against Burkina Faso and steady against Ghana. In this game, Cote d'Ivoire started quickly, pressuring centrally and trying wear the North Africans down, especially on the break, and Kalou managed to score a deflected goal to put his team ahead.. However slowly Algeria began to keep the ball, and pass it around the Ivorians, and on the 40th min, got an equaliser, Matmour latching onto a long pass and firing past Barry who stood still, 1-1.


The second half, the Elephants pressed hard again, but the foxes were cunning, keeping the ball, and ensuring the Elephants chased the ball, hence get tired. Trainer Halihodzic then opted to change his strikeforce bringing on Kader Keita on for Kalou. He thought he had won the game with a shot more vicious than the one he hit in 2008, arrowing his effort into the top left hand corner from 35 yards out. This was on the 89th min. Algeria however had other plans for the impending Elephant Stampede, and Boughera broke forward from the back to the otherside, and headed home a cross from the right merely 60 seconds later to send the game into extra time, 2-2.


Algeria started extra time like men possessed, and what was surprising to see was that Cote d'Ivoire were tired, despite having 8 days to prepare, and Algeria hit the Elephants 3mins into extra time, Bouzza heading home another cross to give his team the lead, 3-2. In most circumstances, Algeria would have gone into their shell, but Cote d'Ivoire were so tired and demoralised, Algeria could have scored 3 or 4 goals within 5 mins of scoring their third, the entire Cote d'Ivoire midfield and defence tired and punch drunk. Algeria were toying with their opponents who couldn't press the ball. Cote d'Ivoire thought they had secured a very late equalizer from Kolo Toure, but it was ruled out for offside.

Ghana were good value for their win, what was impressive to see is that they had leadership throughout their team, especially Draman in midfield and Gyan up front who both held the ball well and guided this very young side to the semi finals. I never expected Ghana to get this far, and whilst there are flaws that can be exposed by a dedicated team, it is no small feat to get to the final four, especially missing 7 of their starting lineup, very impressive.

Algeria have woken up, but understandably, the big story is yet another collapse by The Elephants. On Jan 1 i wrote, "they have big question marks over who will partner a declining Kolo Toure and who will play behind them, a position that has been a severe problem since the retirement of Jean-Jacque Tizie. The defence doesn't travel well, so this is a huge problem. The team also seems to go missing when the tough times come, and it is a big shame for a team with so many talented players."

And this is exactly what went wrong tonight. They had 8 days to get fitness sorted, yet were tired in extra time, Barry is not a keeper worthy of this team,and their defence was totally exposed tonight. Those were the structural problems, one that is even bigger is the mental problem they have. In 2006 they had the chances to beat Egypt in the final, and blew it, in 2008, they were ripped apart (although the death of Uli Steilke's son during the tournament meant they had no real coach to guide them) by Egypt who showed they cannot stick together when the going gets tough. In 2010, again no unity. I never backed Cote d'Ivoire specifically for this reason, when the games are going their way, they can destroy anyone, when things get tough, they don't stick together and they aren't a team anymore. I think this is the last act of this generation of players, they have had 4 tournaments now and not stepped up, if they aren't careful, they could be hammered in South Africa. They need to unite to win, maybe they need to bring in less well known players who fight, this team is too settled, even Gervinho is now taking it easy, what a shame and waste.