World Cup 2010 Blog: “Africa Cup of Nations 2010: Everything You Need to Know About the Group Stage Finale” plus 1 more

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Africa Cup of Nations 2010: Everything You Need to Know About the Group Stage Finale Posted: 18 Jan 2010 06:07 AM PST We’re reaching the finale of the group stages at the 2010 Africa(n) Cup of Nations. Between now and January 21st, the top two from each group will be decided. Eight teams will go through to the quarters, and the other eight seven will go home. Below you’ll find all four groups as they stand before the final round of games, complete with a (mostly accurate) explanation of who needs what to happen in their final games. If you’re looking for a way to watch the knockout stage online in the USA – 100% legally and reliably – then we recommend purchasing a knockout stage pass from MyAfricanFootball.com. You can also purchase games individually. First tie-breaker is head to head, second is goal difference, third is goals scored. All group games are simultaneous kickoffs at 5pm Angolan time (that’s 4pm UK time, 11am US eastern time) Group A It’s all a bit tight in Africa Cup of Nations Group A. Angola have a slight advantage with four points, Malawi and Algeria are level on three points (but Malawi have the head to head advantage after that 3-0 win) and Mali – who started inspirationally with that incredible 4-4 comeback – are bottom with one point, and so need a win and a bit of luck. Remaining Group A games Jan 18th, Angola vs Algeria, 5pm (4pm UK time, 11am US eastern) Jan 18th, Mali vs Malawi, 5pm (4pm UK time, 11am US eastern) Who Needs What: Angola qualify provided they don’t lose to Algeria. If they do lose, Angola still qualify if Mali vs Malawi ends in a draw. Malawi qualify if they beat Mali, or if they draw and Algeria fail to win. Algeria need to beat Angola, or if they draw then they need Mali to beat Malawi. Mali need to beat Malawi and hope Angola beat Algeria. If Algeria beat Angola then it’s calculator time for Mali fans. Team Blogs: Angola, Malawi, Algeria Group B Africa Cup of Nations Group B is an odd looking three-legged animal due to Togo’s withdrawal. Cote d’Ivoire (or Ivory Coast if you want to defy the Cd’I government’s wishes) are through already with a win and a draw and no more games to play. So it’s all about pointless Ghana (who are now without Michael Essien) vs Burkina Faso and their single point. Remaining Mathces: Jan 19th, Burkina Faso vs Ghana, 5pm (4pm UK time, 11am US eastern) Who Needs What: Ghana need to beat Burkina Faso to go through. Simple as that. Burkina Faso will go through in second place if they draw, and can takes first place if they win by three clear goals. Team Blogs: Ghana, Ivory Coast Group C Egypt already have Africa Nations Cup Group C first place in the bag, with six points plus head to head advantage over Nigeria. The Super Eagles lead the race for second place with three points, Benin and Mozambique prop up the table with a point each. If both Benin and Mozambique somehow win, then it will be all about goal difference. Remaining Matches: Jan 20th, Egypt vs Benin, 5pm (4pm UK time, 11am US eastern) Jan 20th, Nigeria vs Mozambique, 5pm (4pm UK time, 11am US eastern) Who Needs What: Egypt have already won the group and could possibly give the reserves a run out against Benin. Nigeria will take second if they either draw with or beat Mozambique. Benin need to beat Egypt and hope Mozambique beat Nigeria. But the Benin margin of victory needs to be higher than the Mozambique margin of victory. Otherwise, calculators. Mozambique need to beat Nigeria, and hope Benin don’t beat Egypt. Otherwise Mozambique will have to score a few more and make up the goal difference to leapfrog Benin. Team Blogs: Egypt, Nigeria, Benin Group D No one expected Gabon to be top of Africa Cup of Nations Group D. But there they are above Cameroon and Tunisia with four points and just one game to go, a game against arguably the weakest team in the group. Cameroon are second with three points, Tunisia third with two points, Zambia down in fourth with just the one. So we’re all set for an exciting finale. Remaining Matches: Jan 21st, Cameroon vs Tunisia, 5pm (4pm UK time, 11am US eastern) Jan 21st, Gabon vs Zambia, 5pm (4pm UK time, 11am US eastern) Who Needs What: Gabon need to either beat or draw with Zambia to qualify. They can technically lose 4-3 and get away with it, provided other results go their way. But best not to risk that. Cameroon need to beat Tunisia to make sure. If they draw then they’ll be relying on other results. Tunisia need to beat Cameroon. Zambia need to beat Gabon. Team Blogs: Gabon, Cameroon, Tunisia If you’re in North America, then the only legal and reliable way to watch the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations online is with MyAfricanFootball.com Cup of Nations info: Matches & Groups Squads Africa on the World Cup Blog

How Not to Deal With Crosses, by Zambia Goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene Posted: 18 Jan 2010 03:57 AM PST Cameroon were 1-0 down to Zambia last night, and genuinely in danger of an early Africa Cup of Nations 2010 exit. Until. In the 68th minute, Geremi (who plays for either Newcastle or Ankaragücü, depending on who you ask) sprinted to prevent the ball going out for a throw and swung a hopeful ball in the general direction of the penalty area. Not a great cross. Not even a good one. But Geremi found his name on the scoresheet after Zambia keeper Kennedy Mweene temporarily forgot how to catch a football. I say temporarily because there is absolutely no way Mweene is that bad on a regular basis. Not unless his 2009 South Africa PSL Goalkeeper of the Year Award was some sort of cruel joke. Cameroon went on to win an exciting game 3-2 with Mohammadou Idrissou heading home an 86th minute winer to keep their Angola 2010 hopes very much alive. Shane has a blow by blow review of the game at Cameroon World Cup Blog.

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