Ivory Coast tipped to win AFCON

| Friday January 8, 2010 00:00

Fabian 'Fabi' Zulu (Former Zimbabwean international)

Mmegi: Who do you think will win AFCON?
Ivory Coast

Mmegi: Why do you think they will win?
Everything has run smoothly for Ivory Coast in the build-up to the tournament as compared to other national teams. The positive attitude in their camp makes them firm favourites. There is no doubt that they have disappointed in the past when they were tipped to win but I guess that they have learnt from the past mistakes. To show their seriousness, all their players are in camp in Tanzania and they seem to share a common goal.

Mmegi: Who will be the key players?
Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure
Fondy 'Diterata' Gaoforwe (RB 2 sports presenter)

Mmegi: Who do you think will win AFCON?
Ivory Coast

Mmegi:Why do you think they win?
I am looking at the quality in their squad this time around. What is important in a team is leadership on and off the field. If you look at Ivory Coast, Didier Drogba is a kind of player who can lift his teammates when the chips are down and he seems to have grown in confidence since the last Cup of Nations. He can also make the supporters rally behind his team, something, which I believe, will add to their advantage. The other plus for Ivory Coast is that most of their players would like to win a place in the team for the upcoming World Cup and they would go all out to impress the coaching crew. The only problem which might count against the Ivorian team is complacency and their behaviour off the field because they at times go night clubbing.

Mmegi: Who will be the key players?
Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure and Salomon Kalou
Mmoni 'States' Segopolo (Former Zebras striker)

Mmegi: Who do you think will win AFCON?
Ivory Coast

Mmegi: Why do you think they will win?
This team has everything you would want to win silverware at this stage. After disappointing in the past competitions, I think Ivory Coast would come all out to make amends. They are aware that they have disappointed many people in the past. If you look at their midfield, they have players who have competed at the highest level. Upfront, Drogba has been in top form and if he takes it to the national level, then defenders will be in for a hard time.

Mmegi: Who will be the key players?
Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure and Didier Zokora
Rahman Gumbo (Township Rollers' coach and ex-Zimbabwean national team coach)

Mmegi: Who do you think will win AFCON?
Angola

Mmegi: Why do think they will win?
I think home ground advantage will work to Angola's advantage. They have a new coach in Manuel Jose who has achieved a lot in Egypt as a coach of Al Ahly. If you look at it, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Algeria and Ivory Coast will have their eyes set on the World Cup and I doubt if they will give their all in Angola. The Angolan side has a number of youngsters who I think will surprise many people.

Mmegi: Who will be the key players?
Flavio, Love and the unknown youngsters
Gideon 'Msiza' Nkala (Mmegi Editor)

Mmegi: Who do you think will win AFCON?
Ivory Coast

Mmegi: Why do you think they will win?
They have been playing together for sometime and that will give them an added advantage. The bulk of the squad was at the last AFCON and World Cup and they have rhythm. I would have gone for Ghana but if you look at their preparations, they have encountered some problems especially injuries to key players. Ivory Coast know that they have disappointed many people in the past and they would want to put aside that monkey from their bag.

Mmegi: Who will be the key players?

Mmegi: Arouna Dindane, Didier Zokora, Didier Drogba and Kolo Toure
Kagiso 'Masondo' Sekokonyane (Monitor Editor)

Mmegi: Who do you think will win AFCON?
Ivory Coast

Mmegi: Why do you think they will win?
When I look at African teams especially Nigeria, they have dropped in performance. If you look at Ivory Coast throughout the qualifiers they have been consistent and they have played together for a while now. Their preparations are going well as we speak. For me, Drogba is the key man who would win the games for them. Yes, Egypt has been doing well and are defending champions, but this time around they will find the going tough.

Mmegi: Who will be the key players?
Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Arouna Dindane.

Mookodi 'Teddy Bear' Seisa (Former Township Rollers PRO)

Mmegi: Who do you think will win AFCON?
Ivory Coast

Mmegi: Why do you think they will win?
Ivory Coast have an array of players who play for top sides in Europe and have played a major role in the success of their respective clubs. Take for example Drogba who is the current top scorer in the English Premier League. I agree that Ivory Coast like Holland, have always disappointed in major tournaments but I believe that they have learnt from their past mistakes. You can see how they convincingly qualified for the World Cup and AFCON unlike Nigeria who needed a last minute miracle.

Mmegi: Who will be the key players?
Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure, Arouna Dindane and Arouna Koni