GROUP C

Gabon – Morocco – Niger – Tunisia

GABON

There is a feel-good factor running through Gabon and its football right now. Hosting the African Cup of Nations for the first time has brought pleasure to a nation, and this optimism and enthusiasm for the game only swelled further when Les Panthères recorded their first ever continental title back in December. Despite being outsiders, Gabon managed to see off all comers including the likes of Egypt, Nigeria and hosts Morocco in the final to win the 2011 CAF Under-23 Championships with a vibrant and resilient young side, whose talents we look forward to seeing at the London Olympics later this year.

This unexpected triumph gave Gabonese supporters reason to dream, “a moment of intense joy” as U-23 coach Claude Albert Mbourounot summed up. Hopes now are that the current group can go beyond their previous best, a quarter final place in 1996 attained primarily due to the absence of Nigeria, whose withdrawal from the tournament cleared a space in Gabon’s group. German coach Gernot Rohr has done his best to temper expectations however, reiterating that merely qualifying from the group is the target.

With fervent crowds expected to cheer the Panthers on in Libreville and Franceville a last eight place is definitely a possibility. Historically, home advantage has proven a huge boon at recent Cup of Nations – Angola aside a host has made the semis on every occasion since 1996.

Not only that but Gabon do have some interesting, if unpredictable players. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been a thorn in the side of Ligue 1 defences for Saint-Etienne this season, particularly recently, operating either from the wing or latterly as a striker. Eric Mouloungui (Nice) is another threat, a wiry striker who ranges from the anonymous to the sublime in the South of France. His skill, dribbling and ability to beat a man could be key to Gabon unlocking defences and scoring – something they will need to improve on if they are to go deep here. At the back Bruno Ecuele Manga (Lorient) is one of the finest centre backs in France today – a rock they can rely on and Didier Ovono (Le Mans) who spoke to Just Football not long ago, can perform heroics in goal when inclined (and is on the lookout for a summer move by the way, so will want to impress watching scouts). Also look for U-23 star Andre Biyogo Poko (Bordeaux).

A serious lack of competitive football in recent years makes it hard to know how this team will adapt, but with the crowd behind them here a last eight place is certainly a realistic goal.

MOROCCO

Morocco have a proud tradition in African football – the second African nation to reach a World Cup finals and first to register a World Cup point, against Bulgaria in 1970. The North Africans also boast one of the best Cup of Nations records with 13 previous finals appearances. That they have only ever won the tournament once therefore appears a curious anomaly given their status in Africa both from a football and economic perspective. Ghana by comparison has won the tournament three more times with a population of roughly 10 million less.

In Gabon the Atlas Lions will look to rectify that record and put to bed painful memories of their last two AFCONs. Morocco were grave disappointments in 2008 and failed to even qualify in 2010. However an exciting fresh crop of young, gifted players lends to the growing belief that, in 2012, Morocco can reclaim their position as one of Africa’s most fearsome teams.

Given the talent in the squad I do feel Morocco could go very far. Mehdi Benatia (Udinese), Houssine Kharja (Fiorentina) and Arsenal’s Marouane Chamakh form the spine of the team and around them mercurial talents like Younes Belhanda (Montpellier), Youssef El-Arabi (Al-Hilal), Mehdi Carcela (Anzhi Makhachkala) and the temperamental Adel Taarabt (QPR) sprinkle the stardust. Mbark Boussoufa (Anzhi Makhachkala) is another who pulls the strings.

Under the guidance of Belgian coach Eric Gerets the Atlas Lions have genuine reason for optimism. Gerets has found success at virtually every club he has coached and is optimistic about the potential of the team he has formed. “Our target is to win the title and dedicate it to the Moroccan people,” Gerets commented. “This generation is capable of doing so.” Defensive stability is the foundation for Morocco. They conceded just two goals in qualifying. If they can win Group C and avoid Ghana in the next round, there’s a real chance Morocco could go all the way.

NIGER

In qualifying above the mighty Egypt and a South Africa side riding the crest of a morale-boosting World Cup wave, Niger have already made history. That achievement alone has to be considered one of the finest in Africa Cup of Nations history, and certainly one of the most shocking. In a sense therefore it’s cigars out, admire the view time for the Menas. It don’t get much better than this.

But Niger have fallen into the old African trap since qualifying – cocking a sneering eye at the native coach in charge and nervously concluding a European could do better. French technician Rolland Courbis has consequently been brought in in an ‘advisory’ capacity alongside Harouna Doula, and will assist former Niger international in Gabon. How the two work together remains to be seen.

Doula has welcomed the extra help but he’d be entitled to feel aggrieved at the desperate lack of faith in him shown by Niger’s FA. He worked wonders in getting Niger this far, a motivator and canny tactician, and was rewarded when CAF named him the 2011 African coach of the year. Courbis’ appointment is just another example of a big problem in African football – mistrust of its own borne of a thinly-veiled inferiority complex.

The main string to Niger’s bow in qualifying was their flawless, 100% home record. The Mena lost all three away games however, and given they are on neutral ground and effectively in an away game against Gabon, it is doubtful they will make it too far here. Doula has called on his side to ‘remain humble’ and not humiliate themselves. Moussa Maazou (Zulte Waregem), a figure of ridicule in France after a terrible (and controversial) spell at Bordeaux, is their main player. He does have ability when inclined. Idrissa Laouali, a graceful midfielder and captain nicknamed ‘Pele’ is another to watch.

(For Group A head here and for Group B head here)

TUNISIA

Minnow to end all minnows, Chad have never qualified for the African Cup of Nations. Despite this, no matter what Tunisia achieve in this competition the north Africans owe their central African brothers a huge debt. It was Chad’s 94th minute equaliser in N’Djamena that deprived a desperately unlucky Malawi and allowed Tunisia to sneak into their 10th straight Cup of Nations.

Tunisia were the first team to put Africa on the map on a world stage, when winning Africa’s first game at a World Cup finals in Argentina in 1978. In terms of continental success 2004 is as good as it’s got for Les Aigles de Carthage, a solitary tournament victory achieved on home soil.

Tunisia have the makings of a good side under the guidance of former international Sami Trabelsi. The team is built on a tight-knit nucleus of players from both Esperance – 2011 African Champions League winners – and the Tunisia team that won the 2011 African Nations Championships, a tournament for domestic-based African players. Youssef Msakni, Khaled Korbi and Oussama Darragi (aka ‘Picasso’) were central to both teams and will all feature in Gabon. Darragi in particular is one that excites, an enterprising, intelligent number 10 who can lift crowds to their feet. Voted the best player based in Africa by CAF in 2011 I’m very much looking forward to seeing him at this level. In defence Aymen Abdennour is also definitely one to watch, excellent in his first season at Toulouse, a defender whose timing in the tackle is often impeccable.

Results in the build-up to this competition will have worried Trabelsi, particularly a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in which they were brushed aside surprisingly easily. This tournament may be a bit early to talk about Tunisia going all the way particularly with injury to the hugely important Issam Jemaa (Auxerre), but they should prove stern opponents and might just surprise.

Just Football Prediction: With the crowd behind them Gabon find enough to advance, along with Morocco. But this is a very difficult group to call with Tunisia a threat. I think Jemaa’s injury swings the pendulum away from the Carthage Eagles however. One of the three is in for big disappointment and an early journey home.