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African Cup of Nations 2006 Egypt Special

Scroll down to read our short pen pics on each team in the Cup and how we think they'll do, then post your views in the aboutaball African Nations Cup Forum.

Aboutaball African Cup of Nations Special Content
African Nations Cup Forum
Past African Nations Cup Winners
Fixtures/Results/Groups
- Group A
- Group B
- Group C
- Group D
- Knockout Phase
Top Scorers

Official Sites
Egypt 2006 African Nations Cup Site

Predictions and team reviews

Group A

Egypt
The strong Egyptian team will be keen to impress as the home nation. Most of the squad is made up of domestic players who play for the strong Egyptian sides Zamalek and Ahly, the most notable being Mohamed Barakat. However a potential home hero and star of the Cup could be the Spurs Forward Mido.

Prediction : Semi Final
Man to watch : Ahmed 'Mido' Hossam

Morocco
With most of their squad coming from Europe Morocco have high hopes for the tournament. They'll be looking to make up for failing to qualify for the World Cup even though they were unbeaten. Expect the lively striker Marouane Chamakh to pop up with a few goals

Prediction : Out in the Group stage
Man to watch : Marouane Chamakh

Ivory Coast
The Elephants are an emerging force in World Football and if Toure, Drogba and Zokora hit form they could prove unstoppable.

Prediction : Finalists
Man to watch : Didier Zokora

Libya
Virtual unknowns in World Football they'll be please just to be in Egypt but I don't expect them to be there very long.

Prediction : Nil Points
Man to watch : You'll be seeing alot of their goalkeeper

Group B

DR Congo
Exciting Pompy forward Lomana Tresor Lua Lua is the shining light of the Simbas. They won the Cup in 1974 when know as Zaire, but they don't really stand much chance this time round! I predict them to finish bottom in a tough group.

Prediction : Out in the Group Stage
Man to watch : Lomana Tresor Lua Lua

Cameroon
Always very strong and will be again even though they're missing Lauren of Arsenal who has retired from International football. Like a number of other big African footballing nations they failed to reach the World Cup so will feel they have something to prove. Their squad is full of star players and in Eto'o they have one of the best strikers in the World.

Prediction : Semi Final
Man to watch : Samuel Eto'o

Togo
With inspirational coach Keshi guiding the Hawks to a shock qualification spot in Germany who knows what they'll do in Egypt. One thing for sure is 21 year old striker Emmanuel Adebayor is one of the hottest young talents in Africa.

Prediction : A battle with Angola for second spot
Man to watch : Emmanuel Adebayor

Angola
They pipped Nigeria to a World Cup squad which show they're no mugs. Well known as a strong, athletic, well organised team people will be keen to see if they can impress prior to the World Cup.

Prediction : Quarter Final
Man to watch : Pedro Mantorras (if he stays fit)

Group C

Tunisia
Roger Lemerre's Tunisia are holders and look stronger than in 2004. Their solid team should do well; especially talented Brazilian-born forward Francileudo dos Santos and highly rated defender Hatem Trabelsi. They're in an easy group and I think they'll go far'

Prediction : Finalist
Man to watch : Hatem Trabelsi

Guinea
Star man Pascal Feindouno gave up the captaincy as he couldn't handle the pressure, lets hope he doesn't have to take any penalties!

Prediction : Out in the group stage
Man to watch : Pascal Feindouno

South Africa
The Bafana Bafana are in a bit of a rut, they have a great squad on paper but just have not been able to produce the goods in recent times. The likes Steven Pienaar, Benni McCarthy, Quinton Fortune and Aaron Mokoena should have enough talent to seem them through the group.

Prediction : Quarter Final
Man to watch : Aaron Mokoena

Zambia
They have squad of players based in the Zambian domestic league and look set to struggle.

Prediction : Out in the group stage
Man to watch : Collins Mbesuma

Group D

Zimbabwe
The warriors are taking part in their second African Nations Cup Final last time they picked up the wooden spoon and having been drawn in a tough group I expect them to again. Although you can bet captain Peter Ndlovu will entertain the crowd with a trick or two.

Prediction : Out in the group stage
Man to watch : Peter Ndlovu

Nigeria
The Super Eagles will once again be one of the favorites for the tournament, the question is can they keep their discipline. They flopped and failed to make the World Cup and will be hoping a different Nigeria turn up in Egypt. I expect the likes of Jay-Jay Okocha, Aghahowa and Martins to light up the tournament and with Yobo commanding the defense this could be the Eagles year.

Prediction : Semi Final
Man to watch : Obafemi Martins

Senegal
The Teranga Lions' are another big gun who failed to make the World Cup and are unlucky to now be in the group of death at the African Nations. The like of El Hadji Diouf and Pape Boupa Diop will need to be on top form for Senegal to progress.

Prediction : Out in the group
Man to watch : El Hadji Diouf

Ghana
Missed the African Nations last time round but they're back with a bang and stormed through their World Cup qualifying group thanks to their robust midfield pairing of Stephen Appiah and Michael Essien. Unfortunately, Essien will miss this tournament through injury but the Ghanans will still field a strong enough team to challenge for the title. Expect them to impress.

Prediction : Semi Finalists
Man to watch : Stephen Appiah

Groups

Group A	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Egypt	3	2	1	0	6	1	7
Ivory Coast	3	2	0	1	4	4	6
Morocco	3	0	2	1	0	1	2
Libya	3	0	1	2	1	5	1

---

Group B	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Cameroon	3	3	0	0	7	1	9
DR Congo	3	1	1	1	2	2	4
Angola	3	1	1	1	4	5	4
Togo	3	0	0	3	2	7	0

---

Group C	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Guinea	3	3	0	0	7	1	9
Tunisia	3	2	0	1	6	4	6
Zambia	3	1	0	2	3	6	3
South Africa	3	0	0	3	0	5	0

---

Group D	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Nigeria	3	3	0	0	5	1	9
Senegal	3	1	0	2	3	3	3
Ghana	3	1	0	2	2	3	3
Zimbabwe	3	1	0	2	2	5	3