ACN 2010

Well, off to quite a start:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... al&cc=5901

Let's hope this does not precipitate a theme for this competition or that little one over this Summer.

Angola's a nasty bit of business. Studied the country my entire final year of International Relations. Thought things were getting better there, but the ghost of Jonas Savimbi's violent and deadly opportunism lives on.

 

Terrible tragedy for Togo right now......tragedy for the WC down the road? This has to raises a lot of alarms for June. Different countries, but South Africa isn't exactly bucolic.

 

Nor far away from Angola, although rebels from there should not be high on the list of concerns. More concerning is the fact that places like Angola, Zaire, Mozambique, and many others can't seem to get a handle on where the domestic enemy is on their own turf. If they can't find and neutralize the extremely well-armed opposition that has been their for ages, how are they going to detect a covertly-armed international traveling under probably very good disguise?

I like to think of the World Cup as an untouchable (mostly out of respect) ideal, that would never come under attack by terrorists, but realistically, that is an international tragedy in waiting. I sure hope the US, England, and whoever else come in and pretty much take over all control of the security situation. This won't be the time to experiment.

 

heh.. you're kidding, right?

We're the TSA and you can count on us!

 

Beeb are reporting that Togo have withdrawn from the tournament.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/footbal ... 449611.stm

 

Interesting article w/Adebayor quotes on soccernet this morning. Sounded like the team wanted to press on, but authorities back in Togo decided that guaranteeing security was not a possibility.

 

More form Togo -- Adebayor has a lot to say as well.

http://www.football365.com/story/0,1703 ... 36,00.html

 

Algeria lose by 3 goals to Malawi.......

Nigeria getting humped right now by Egypt, 3-1. The Screaming Eagles really are a mess. No reason with all of that talent.

 

QUARTERFINALS:

Sunday, January 24th at 11:00ET/10:00CT (Stadium: Citadella)
ANGOLA v. GHANA: The Black Antelopes will not be intimidated by the Black Stars at home. Ghana, like a couple of other favorites, have not looked all that convincing in getting to the quarterfinals. But fortunes can take a dramatic turn the further teams make it into a tounament such as this. Angola wins in dramatic and controversial fashion.

Sunday, January 24th at 2:30ET/1:30CT (Stadium: National Chiazi Stadium)
COTE D'IVOIRE v. ALGIERIA: The Elephants look strong, as well as big. They'll stomp the Desert Foxes into the pitch. Should be no contest.

Monday, January 25th at 11:00ET/10:00CT (Stadium: TBD)
EGYPT v. CAMEROON: The Pharaohs have looked more prepared than any other club in the competition, perhaps even more so than Ivory Coast. As they should, being title holders twice in a row and going for the third. The Indomitable Lions have looked more like passive pussy cats up to this point, but with the talent available, it would be folly to count them out. Even the heroics of Eto'o will not be enough though. Pharaohs get one step closer to ruling all of Africa.

Monday, January 25th at 2:30ET/1:30CT (Stadium: TBD)
ZAMBIA v. NIGERIA: The history of The Copper Bullets is riddled with tragedy, overcoming it, and just falling short, as they did against Nigeria in the final of the ACN in 1994. So this match-up has historic significance. Will Zambia call upon the ghosts of players past to over come the Super Eagles? Even with Nigeria seemingly finding their rhythm, Zambia could take aim and win. A dramatic, emotional match will almost certainly be in store.

 

Almost a full-time job keeping up with The World of Footy. But hardly feels like work.

My pleasure, Don!