Arguably the tie of the group stages at the 2010 African Cup of Nations take place with pre-tournament favourites the Ivory Coast meeting Ghana, the side many felt could be their main challengers. Unfortunately because of the past week’s events involving Togo, who were also scheduled to play in the group, the circumstances somewhat overshadow what should have been an exciting game.

What a pity that the events of last Friday, a week before the tie of the tournament was scheduled to kick-off, have conspired to mar what would have been one of the most tantalising games of the competition. Nevertheless what has been a good tournament so far could be transformed into something special if these two can put on their best performance. It would also be a wonderful way to show that the sport can still rise about the threat of violence and aggression.

Preparation

The attack on the Togo team left its mark not only on the Togolese, who understandably withdrew from the tournament, but also the other sides in the group as they were all left to question their own personal safety and participation. What made matters worse was the close shared bond between the four teams, who all hail from the West African region. An attack on Togo felt like an attack on them to an extent.

That was most apparent in the lacklustre performance that the Ivory Coast put in during their opening match of the tournament in this truncated Group B against Burkina Faso to draw 0-0. Despite dominating possession and creating several decent chances, they simply couldn’t muster enough sang-froid in front of goal to win the game.

Ghana too have had their fair share of problems at the 2010 African Cup of Nations, not only in the aftermath of the attack, but also in getting their team together. Michael Essien has only just arrived in Angola after being forced to delay his departure as a result of initial Visa problems and then flights being cancelled because of the inclement weather in the UK. Indeed had the scheduled match against Togo gone ahead on Monday, Ghana would have had to do without the Chelsea-star at the heart of midfield.

Brave faces

The match despite everything is still an excellent prospect, and young Ghanaian midfielder Andrew Ayew has already said that once on the field the only thing that matters is the game itself.

The Ivory Coast can wrap up qualification with a win, and put themselves in a prime position to claim top spot in the group. That could prove significant, as it would see them dodge the winners from Group A, and secure a potentially easier quarter-final tie. However, the down-side would be that they would have to remain in Cabinda, scene of last week’s attack, whilst the runners-up of Group B travel to Luanda for their quarter-final clash, so conversely there may be some advantage to try and finish second.

Ghana are yet to play in the tournament, and the respite will have been welcome. It gave the management more time to get Rennes-forward Asamoah Gyan fit for the attack, and to try and integrate Michael Essien into the team.

The Black Stars have called up several of their U-20 World Cup winning team, and will hope that their youthful passion and zeal for the game will give them a competitive advantage as they try and get the events of last week out of their system with a strong performance.

Team Form

Ivory Coast

11/01/10 – Burkina Faso (n) 0-0 (2010 African Cup of Nations, Group B)

07/01/10 – Rwanda (n) 2-0 (International Friendly)

04/01/10 – Tanzania (a) 1-0 (International Friendly)

18/11/09 – Germany (a) 2-2 – (International Friendly)

14/11/09 – Guinea (h) 3-0 – (FIFA World Cup Qualifier)

Ghana

05/01/10 – Malawi (h) 0-0 (International Friendly)

18/11/09 – Angola (a) 0-0 (International Friendly)

15/11/09 – Mali (h) 2-2 (FIFA World Cup Qualifier)

11/10/09 – Benin (a) 1-0 (FIFA World Cup Qualifier)

30/09/09 – Argentina (a) 2-0 (International Friendly)

Team News

Ivory Coast

The Ivorian management team led by Vahid Halihodzic have to decide whether to switch things around in attack after the 0-0 draw against Burkina Faso. Having opted to start with Lille striker Gervinho from the outset, Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou may get the chance to start up front alongside his club colleague Didier Drogba against Ghana.

Bakary Kone missed several good chances on Monday, including his side’s best just after the halfway point in the second half, but may get the chance to redeem himself with another start. An alternative to the Marseille forward is Portsmouth’s Aruna Dindane, who was a second half arrival for Chiek Tiote.

Ghana

The main injury concern centres on midfielder Anthony Annan, who looks set to miss out on this clash with an aggravation of an older injury. Annan had been carrying a strain from the training camp in South Africa over the course of the New Year, and appears to have exacerbated the problem in recent training. His loss is a blow, as he would have represented the best option to replace Michael Essien, whose tardy arrival in Angola is hardly the best preparation for a match against the pre-tournament favourites.

Asamoah Gyan who was rated doubtful for Monday’s cancelled clash with Togo is ready to play though, and should feature from the start. Coach Milovan Rajevac will have to decide whether to risk the raw-talent of Dominic Adiyiah alongside Gyan, or opt for the more experienced option of someone like NAC Breda’s Matthew Amoah or Lokomotiv Moscow’s Haminu Draman.

Player to watch

Ivory Coast

After not really being tested in the opening match against Burkina Faso, as the Stallions sat back to soak up pressure, Manchester City target Yaya Toure may have a more prominent role against Ghana. The current Barcelona midfielder has seen his chances limited at the Camp Nou and has been linked with an exit, so will be using the 2010 African Cup of Nations as a chance to show what he can do. He will need to come out on top of a midfield battle against someone he could be playing against on an even more regular basis if he moves to the Premiership: Michael Essien.

Ghana

The Black Stars have never needed their captain Michael Essien more. The Chelsea midfielder now looks like he will be forced to start in the absence of Anthony Annan, and will need to galvanise his young team into believing they have what it takes to overcome the pre-tournament favourites.

Prediction

With the majority of players hailing from Europe, don’t expect too much of the slightly wide defending we have been seeing at the 2010 African Cup of Nations from sides such as Benin and Mozambique. Instead this match may well have a European feel to it, and so chances may be at a distinct premium. With that in mind the superior attacking options that the Ivory Coast can call on should be enough to edge this encounter.

Ivory Coast 1-0 Ghana

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