The Group stages are nearly over, and judgement time has arrived for both teams and myself, I made some brave predictions in my previews, but so far, I am looking good for my calls, however that may change after the next two days when Group C and D finish. So far,we have hosts Angola and World Cup finalists Algeria, Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana all securing berths in the Quarter Finals that start on Saturday.

Going into the last match day, Angola were in pole position to qualify, and knew a point will see them over the line, Algeria had to avoid a loss to secure progression, Mali needed a win and Algeria to lose, Malawi needed to match Algeria's result. As is the case in all tournaments after the 1982 disgrace of Austria and Germany 'fixing' a result that would see both teams through at the expense of Algeria, both games kicked off simultaneously to ensure no funny business, however the tie breaker would be the 'head to head' criteria.

Mali scored in the first minute, a horrible miskick by the Malawi goal keeper who until then had been one of the better goalkeepers in the tournament, Kanoute returned the ball with interest with a guided side foot shot from way out, the keeper in no mans land, 1-0. Again, Mali were unable to field their best lineup from the start, this time captain M.Diarra was suspended after his two yellows in the previous two games. A player who wants the captaincy, Seydou Keita showed why he plays with the likes of Xavi and Messi every week, with a freekick from hell, arrowing into the top corner from 35m out, stunner, 2-0. In the other game, Algeria took the game to Angola who looked nervous, starting without current MVP of the tournament, Flavio who was injured in the game against Malawi. They had many nervous events at the back, timid defending, especially for low crosses from the full back positions which Algeria should have converted. Both teams knew what was at stake, especially with news filtering that Mali were winning, and a slip up by either could prove costly.

The second half saw Mali go to sleep, Malawi livewire Russell Mwafulirwa scoring his second goal to cut the deficit in half with a tidy finish. Malawi showed their no fear style can reap rewards,and should have got to 2-2 but Mwafulirwa inexplicably sent a header over the bar with the goal gaping in front of him. In the other game, upto the 70th minute, both sides were still nervous, but looking for the goal. I will say, in the knowledge of the other result, both knew a 0-0 result would be in the benefits of both sides, and both clearly stepped down a level for the final 20 minutes, the last 10 minutes looked more like a park game when you are disinterested, Algeria passing the ball at the back and Angola simply watching and not pressing. Mali secured a third when striker Bagayoko headed home, 3-1.

Therefore, Angola and Algeria went through with a 0-0, and even if Mali had scored 20, they would have been eliminated. Mali then protested to CAF that Angola and Algeria had not been in the spirit of the game by playing for a draw. However Mali only have themselves to blame, they were a total disaster in their opener against Angola, only or Angola to lose their nerve in 10 minutes to give them life in the 4-4 draw, the second game they were awful, unable to pass the ball and lost 1-0 to Algeria, and only showed their potential in the match against a 'minnow'. They have players who are decisive in major European teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Seville, and played as if they had players from French Ligue 2. Steve Keshi must be faulted for not finding a system for all his stars, or making immediate adjustments in games they were on the back foot of. Even ifthey had gone through, they would have been thrashed in the next game. Malawi were more deserving in my opinion, and lets hope they keep building their team, they looked a good team, and played without fear and came to play ball, not playing for set pieces or quick breaks, but to impose their game on the opponents.


Ghana on the otherhand knew they needed a win, having lost heavily to Cote d'Ivoire, a draw would see them eliminated. Ghana have been crippled by injuries, the latest being captain Michael Essien who will return to his club Chelsea after his knee injury against Cote d'Ivoire that will keep him out for a month, although he was in the stands watching the game. Burkina Faso came with a deliberate game plan, steady at the back, at break at speed. This tactic was looking very good, Ghana were very lightweight all over, and not as quick as the Burkinable, and the Stallions produced quick football, Ghana struggling to find leadership and composure. However they took the lead, a header by U-20 World Cup winning captain Andre Ayew converting after a cross came a long way in. After that, Ghana were composed, and held out, Burkina Faso relying on set pieces, a few which they were inches away from connecting with.


This Ghana side is very weak, with many injuries, they are not the same side. They have shown dedication to a structure, although there is no one who can really pass the ball through the middle of the field, and they are then always playing the ball wide for crosses or cutting in, very easy to defend against. Ghana are lucky this was only a two game group, but now the real stuff starts, and I expect them to be knocked out in the quarter finals. They better hope the have no injuries this June, injuries will cripple them.