Group B: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Togo

Burkina Faso cannot boast of a player of world repute and are the underdogs in this group. However, they have a deadly player who can turn the slightest opportunity into glorious moments. Momouni Dagano was the leading goal scorer during the 2010 World Cup and African Cup campaigns and stands the chance of taking his nation to the apex.

On paper they are battling Togo for third in this group but anything can happen in football. Coach Paulo Duarte, who was recently released from his Ligue 1 side Le Mans, needs to fashion out a workable task in order for his nation to sail through in this tough group. A second round place seems beyond them but they will play a crucial role in who tops the group.

For the past 27 years the Ghana Black Stars have been thirsty for the prestigious trophy of the biggest sports fiesta of the continent. Ghana will go into this tournament knowing this is the last chance for this ‘golden generation’ to win a trophy, according to insidefutbol. The highlight of this current team is qualification for two successful World Cups. Previously, Ghana had never qualified.

The West Africans whose camp has been ravaged with injuries and are therefore parading a dozen of U-20 World Cup winning youngsters would capitalize on Angola 2010 to serve notice to their next summer World Cup opponents.

They would be led by stand-in captain Michael Essien who is arguably the most complete midfielder in the world. The four-time African champions will be aiming to end their African Cup title drought this year. Coach Milovan Rajevac has indicated his seriousness by excluding the talented but disruptive Inter midfielder Sulley Muntari from the final list of players to make Angola. With a team built on an excellent midfield marshaled by Essien and the supremely talented Anthony Annan, Ghana will most likely be amongst the final four teams in Angola. Ultimately though, a wasteful attack and unpredictable defence will prove costly.



The Elephants of the Ivory Coast enter Angola as one of the top favourites for the trophy, and it’s easy to see why. The team is a fusion of skill and strength featuring some of the best players on the continent. The Ivory Coast, alongside Egypt, possess easily Africa’s most complete team at the moment. Kolo Toure and his brother Yaya, Salomon Kalou and for many people the best striker in the world Didier Drogba all play top flight European football. Coach Vahid Halihodzic since his appointment in 2008 has worked to make the teams play more purposeful and less flashy.

Ivory Coast will hope for a championship win but will be cautious seeing how the two previous tournaments ended. Didier Drogba has confirmed this is his last Nations Cup, and most fans know it could be a long time before they get a team as good as this one again. Anything short of a final place will cause much disappointment for Ivorians, with tough World Cup games awaiting in June, The Elephants will look to build momentum with a solid performance. This might just be their year, reported insidefutbol.com.

Togo complete the quartet of West African sides in Group B. The Hawks have failed to live to the standards of 2006 when they qualified for their only ever World Cup. Their most experienced player is easily Manchester City forward Emmanuel Adebayor. The fans no doubt know the enormity of the task awaiting The Hawks and will not expect too much of coach Hubert Velud and his charges. The Togolese must be looking to provide stern competition for Ghana and the Ivory Coast, but are unlikely to make it out of the group.