EQUITORIAL GUINEA FINALS A GENERATIONAL CHANGE

Story written by Patrick Kamanga

EQUITORIAL GUINEA FINALS A GENERATIONAL CHANGE

With the first set of group matches over, some of the most exciting games during the opening stage at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations have involved teams with very a youthful consistency. 

Past legends Et'oo and Drogba

Samuel Et’oo, Didier Drogba, Didier Zokora, Michael Essien, Pascal Fendo’uno, Benny McCarthy, Steven Pienaar and Carlos Idriss Kameni are some of the house-hold names that graced the pitches at the AFCON over the past decade. They’ve now either hanged up their boots and walked into the sunset altogether or retired from their respective national teams to focus on club careers at a twilight stage. The departure of these colossi has essentially made the current AFCON, a generational change of guard with most teams ushering in very young new players.

The teams that have infused their ranks with plenty of young blood are Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon, Gabon, Guinea and Cote D’ Ivore. Some of the new stars are set to be global stars and will be carrying their teams forward into the distant future. 

In their 2-0 loss to Gabon, though playing in a team full of mature players including his 27 year old brother Alain, Burkina Faso’s 19 year old attacking midfielder Bertrand Traore exhibited the confidence, composure, maturity and skill of a seasoned veteran. 

Vastly talented Bertrand Traore expected to be one of the next African global stars

He was a constant thorn to the Gabonese defense and it took the reflexes of Didier Ovono to save Gabon’s blushes! To stop him from inflicting damage, the Gabonese defense had to constantly apply the double team to contain him. Any keen observer would therefore expect Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho to recall this “wonder-kind” from a loan stint as soon as possible!

Aubameyang's sublime finish

Gabon on their part showed flashes of magic with the Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang latching on to a defense splitting pass, carved out the defense and scored to open his account. Team Captain at 25 years of age, Aubameyang is already a seasoned veteran in a team where most of the players are below 24 years old. The 21 year old winger, Frederic Bulot Wagha’s second half wizardry created the chance for Evouna’s header for the second goal in a thrilling match.

Bulot Wagha and Evouna celebrating their perfectly crafted goal

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana cut out the forlorn looks like a herd of sheep headed for the slaughter as the teams lined up for their respective national anthems before their Group C match against North African giants, Algeria. After a shaky start, however, the youthful and inexperienced South Africans settled down and went on to run rings around their much fancied opponents. They passed the ball with boundless fervor, running like antelopes and pinning the Algerians in their own half. 

Speed merchant Tokelo Rantie was a handful for the Algerians

Striker Tokelo Rantie in particular, ran the channels well often leaving his marker to the dust. Having survived a first half onslaught, the Algerians made a big sigh of relief when the half time whistle blew, knowing all too well that they should have been down by at least two goals. With more nicks, dinks and tricks South Africa took the lead after the break via Phala, after being setup by Rantie. South Africa should have gone up by three more goals before their goal creator, turned villain on missing a penalty. Their inexperience and wastefulness was however ruthlessly exposed and punished by the seasoned Algerians who came from behind to win 3-1 after changing tact and going the English style route one direct football, when they adapted a 4-4-2 formation. The Algerians capitalized on poor defending as well as goalkeeping on the part of the Bafana Bafana, valuable lessons that the young side can draw lessons from.

The Desert Foxes were in seventh heaven after their famous comeback win

In the Group D “Battle of the Elephants”, Cote D’ Ivore against Guinea was another David versus Goliath match up where the Ivorians were expected to steam roll over their less experienced and younger adversaries. In a game that former Arsenal forward, now at AS Roma Gervinho, saw red when he got his matching orders; the Sylli Nationale pulled no punches and asked a lot of questions of their star studded opponents! 

Yattara's first half scorcher put the dominant Guineans' noses in front

The Guineans outplayed the Ivorians virtually in all departments for most of the match and it was no surprise when they took a 36^th minute lead via Mohamed Yattara Jr’s smashing point blank volley! It took the individual brilliance of the magical trio of Manchester City pair, Yaya Toure and Wilfred Bony and CSKA Moscow’s Seydou Doumbiya to attain parity. The impressionable Ivorians showed character in adversity to come back from the jaws of death.

Redemption, Seydou Doumbia scored a "goal of the tournament" contender!

Cameroon against Mali was a physical encounter of bone crushing proportion! In a contest pitying the boys from Cameroon against the men from Mali, there was only one side that was going to prevail in this tackling fest! Indomitable Lions’ defender Endoh Eno, was the early casualty when he had to be substituted with a knee injury after a crunching tackle from a Malian defender. 

Fabrice Ondoa carving a niche for himself at the AFCON finals, soon expected to fill in the posts for the Catalan giants

In a one all draw, the show however was stolen by teenage goalkeeper, F.C Barcelona apprentice; Fabrice Ondoa Ebogo who gave a virtuoso performance!

 At 19 years and already built like a Sevens Rugby winger, his muscular frame filled the posts as he dominated the box, bravely flew through the air like a puma to make several daring saves. If his eye catching performance is anything to go by, its small wonder his Catalan parent club hasn't really bothered finding a replacement for the departed Victor Valdez. Ondoa, who is said to be ready to join the senior side as soon as next season went to Barcelona via the Samuel E’too Football Foundation after coming through the youth ranks. Coach Volker Finke has shown alot of faith in him by making him the first choice national keeper. He is set to follow in the footsteps of other Cameroonian goalkeeping legends; Thomas Nkono (Espanyol), Jacque Song’oo (Deportivo La Coruna) and Idriss Kameni (Espanyol/ Malaga) who’ve left a lasting legacy in the African as well as the Spanish game.