Group C

Africa’s top-ranked team, Algeria, will be dismayed upon hearing that they will play two of their matches in Mongomo where the porous pitch may hamper their passing philosophy. Odds have all of a sudden become stacked against the North Africans as only Egypt are the only North African team to ever win an Africa Cup of Nations in sub-Saharan Africa.

South Africa take a resolute defensive side to Equatorial Guinea, where their so-called revival will be put to the test. Bafana Bafana will have to make do without captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa who was tragically murdered several weeks ago.

Avram Grant has been officially appointed head coach of Ghana after missing the entirety of Ghana’s qualification campaign. His immediate tasks will be unifying a Ghanaian outfit with well-documented interior strife. All eyes are on the Chelsea manager as he will make a decision for or against the return of household names such as Sulley Muntari and Prince Boateng.

As for Senegal, they are one of the most well-endowed nations in this tournament. In the attacking department alone, they boast the likes of Sadio Mane, Dame N’Doye, Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse, and Diafra Sakho. The Teranga Lions have been out of the African elite for some time, but with experienced manager Alain Giresse at the helm, Senegal are perfectly equipped to advance.

AFKSports Predicts:

Algeria and Senegal advance in AFCON 2015