Angola - Mali open Orange Nations Cup

Sunday, the curtain will be drawn on the 27th Orange CAF Nations Cup final in Luanda Angola.while the Angolans will be expecting their team to make it to the final of the competition and even win the cup, the Malians are not under such a pressure and this suits them fine.

since october 10 2008 when they were eliminated from the first round of the CAN-Nations Cup qualifier, came out second of group 3 behind Benin, the angolans have not gotten involved in major competitions contending itself instead with friendly matches that have not really brought out the best in the team.in July, the authorities recriuited the Portuguese Manuel Jose hoping that his superlative showing with the Egyptian club Al Ahly will rub off on the team.

Under him the team played a total of nine matches, won two against Togo and Malta, drew six and lost one against Estonia on december 30 in Portugal where they were in camp. if the attack can be said not to be potent with seven goals, the defence can be credited with conceding just five goals.

Angola, world cup qualifiers in 2006 are loooking forward to another glorious dawn in their football, despite the pressure that goes with host countries.

The Eagles of Mali on the other hand, too long in the shadows of African football, are targetting this competition to satisfy the yearnings of a hungry country. so far the spanish based trio of Mahamadou Diara, Seydou Keita, Frederick Oumar Kanoute have not risen to the expectations of taking Mali to great heights.

it is hoped that unlike what happenned in 2008 when they had to bow out in a group involving Nigeria, Benin and Cote Divoire, this time around the memories of 1972, finalist and 1994 and 2002 semi finalist will push them even further.

meanwhile, the Malians are no strangers to opening matches. in 1994 they spoilt the party for host Tunisia when they won 2-0, and in 2002 before their public they rallied back through Seydou Keita to level a George Weah goal.

just back from a four nation playing tour against North Korea,Iran, and Qatar the Eagles lost 0-1 against the Pharaohs of Egypt.

all is set for a match that will also determine the preparedness of the host to organise the competition.

courtesy: CAF