Africa National Team Power Rankings
Two-thirds of 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying has been played. So just months before proceedings kick-off in Morocco, AFKSports presents a power rankings of African National Teams. These rankings are based on recent results and squad strength and will surely adjust as teams progress and regress.
(sources: levuvuzela.net)
1. Algeria
Unquestionably Africa’s in-form team at the moment. Les Fennecs won their first four matches comfortably, quelling outstanding fears of a possible World Cup hangover. New manager Christian Gourcuff has done well to maintain the same core group of players who led Algeria to unprecedented heights at the World Cup. His players deserve equal recognition as they have shown a remarkable level of commitment and execution. Yacine Brahimi and Riyad Mahrez, were particularly impressive last week, bamboozling an already vulnerable Malawian backline. This Algerian team have now targeted two wins from their final two matches, which would cap a perfect campaign. You certainly wouldn’t put it past them.
2. Cameroon
Cameroon have no right figuring so highly in our rankings after their shambolic World Cup performance. The Indomitable Lions left with three points, shipping nine goals and scoring but a solitary one. But their recovery under Volker Finke has been nothing short of remarkable. Finke effected a change in personnel after the debacle, turning to youth and discipline, and away from starpower and ego. The newer, more direct style of play has quickly re-instated Cameroon as an elite continental force. Their attacking arsenal was on display in a 4-1 win against Cote D’Ivoire. For that, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Clinton N’Jie, Vincent Aboubakar deserve credit. They are impressionable talents who have bought into Finke’s philosophy and converted the goalscoring chances that came their way.
3. Ghana
It remains a credit to the sheer quality of this Ghanaian squad that they figure as highly as 3rd in our power rankings after the inner turmoil in the Black Stars camp. Players, coaches, and officials are currently embroiled in legal proceedings relating to embezzled World Cup funds. And the court case is mild in relation to Ghana’s coaching situation. Maxwell Konadu, an interim coach, currently heads them while Avram Grant, Michel Pont, and Marco Tardelli conclude the interviewing process. Such turbulence could have been fatal, but with two gutsy wins away in Togo and home versus Guinea, Ghana have all but confirmed their qualification.
4. Tunisia
Twelve months ago, Tunisian football had hit its nadir. The African giants were beaten at home by ‘minnows’ Cape Verde, effectively eliminating the Carthage Eagles from World Cup qualification. When the North Africans eventually progressed via a technicality they were mercilessly pounded by Cameroon in Yaoundé. But a single coaching appointment has flipped their fortunes. Goerges Leekens was brought in and his tactical diversity has worked wonders, alternating between a 4-2-3-1 and a 5-4-1. Employing the latter formation, Tunisia neutralized an extremely dangerous Senegalese attack, but more importantly, showed that in big matches this Tunisian outfit can grind out results.
5. Gabon
Gabon are flying under the radar. The current generation have been playing together since the 2012 Olympic games and have developed a maturity that belies their young years. The attacking pair of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Malick Evouna, in particular, have been untenable. Behind their symbiotic relationship is a steely midfield composed of CS Sfaxien hardpan Ibrahim Ndong and Bordeaux dynamo André Biyogo Poko. They provide enough activity to disrupt opposing attacks and kickstart counterattacking moves. With their quick transitional play, we predict Gabon will be Africa’s dark horses in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
6. Senegal
The Teranga Lions quite possibly possess Africa’s fiercest strikeforce. Papiss Cisse, Mame Biram Diouf, Demba Ba, Dame N’Doye are but a few names with the ability to trouble Africa’s most stringent defences. It is now up to Alain Giresse to unlock an apt formula, after his strikers were twice held by a resolute Tunisian defence. Senegal’s most recent loss in Tunisia leaves them in a precarious situation as they’ll need to hold off a rejuvenated Egyptian side that has picked up six points in their two October matches.
7. Burkina Faso
Stability is a rare quality in African football federations, so it was a surprise to see the Burkinabe Football Federation keep Belgian manager Paul Put on board after he failed to get them to the World Cup. The West Africans only just missed out on the World Cup last year, but the continuity has helped along a natural progression that puts them in comfortable position to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. The Black Stallions fell short in their double confrontation to Gabon, but have a good enough squad to stave off a hobbling Angolan side.
8. Cape Verde
Like Gabon, Cape Verde has an attacking force that commands respect. The vanguard is headed by Braga striker Ze Luis, who bagged three goals in the Portuguese Liga. Joining him is Lille’s Ryan Mendes, who is finally over a debilitating injury spell. Heldon, Djaniny, and Odaïr Fortes cap off a dynamic attacking line. What is most encouraging has been the Blue Sharks’ ability to win matches, as they joined Algeria as one of two sides that have already qualified for the Cup of Nations. Rui Aguas now has time to tweak and experiment with his tactical options.
9. South Africa
A golden opportunity passed Bafana Bafana by after failing to beat Congo at home. A victory would have shuttled South Africa through to the Cup of Nations, but Shakes Mashaba’s men had a tough outing trying to break down a stubborn Congolese defence. Mashaba is a celebrated figure at the moment, as his side are top of Group A. The recipe for success seems a dogged defensive approach – South Africa is the only team yet to concede a goal in these qualifiers. To prove their worth Rantie and co. have to ensure qualification. They will then shoot up our rankings.
10. Cote D’Ivoire
Hervé Renard has a seemingly insurmountable problem and it’s his defense. Cote D’Ivoire has conceded ten goals in four games – the highest total in Africa. The former Cup of Nations-winning coach immediately recognized the issue and set to rectify it. Discarding veteran Sol Bamba, was a bold move and he justified his decision, saying: ‘Bamba’s exclusion is a sporting decision after what I saw against Sierra Leone and Cameroon.’ Renard’s failure is finding a competent replacement. His porous defense was repeatedly breached by DR Congo’s quick strikers. Young Franck Kessie was especially poor, capping off a shaky performance by getting himself sent off. A defensive antidote is urgently needed, if not for the qualification campaign, then for the tournament proper.