Ivory Coast Good For Afcon Title

Former Nigerian winger, Clement Temile has tipped the Elephants of Ivory Coast as favourites to win Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final in Equatorial Guinea.
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The Elephants are billed to confront four-time Afcon winners, the Black Stars of Ghana in an epic final at Bata Stadium, Bata, Equatorial Guinea.
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Temile said Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana among others were favourites for the Afcon crown prior to the commencement of the biennial football showpiece but the Ivorians by dent of hard work now stand out as indisputable favourites to win their second Afcon title in Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
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“Ivory Coast were not given as much chance to win the Afcon title as Algeria, Cameroon and finalists, Ghana at the start of the championship but all the permutations have changed in the run in to the final on Sunday as Ivory Coast now stand out as favourites to win the title at the expense of Ghana.
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“The Ivorians play with more determination and zest and the key players among them appear to have resolved to end their international career on high with the Afcon silverware in their respective cabinet.
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“The finalists are evenly matched as Ghana will certainly turn on the heat as well as the stiff challenge aimed at wrestling the crown but I don’t see them succeeding,” said the Nigerian born Uefa ‘A’ licensed coach to supersport.com.
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The former coach of English side, Kentish Town said Nigeria’s absence from the 16-team championship must have been enormous even though nobody is coming out to acknowledge the reality.
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“Of course, Nigeria must have been dearly missed at the ongoing Afcon in Equatorial Guinea though nobody is saying so at the moment.
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“Afcon 2015 is like a championship without Africa’s power houses like Cameroon, Ghana, Algeria, among others or like a Fifa World Cup without Brazil, Germany, France, Spain, among others.
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“Afcon 2015 have gone on successfully without Nigeria but the teams are certain to admit albeit secretly that it’s a different preparations for games involving Nigeria.
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“Even the organisers will readily admit that the fanfare, fun-fare and excitement the Nigerian supporters club bring to bear in most championships with Nigeria’s presence is quite lacking this time around.
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“However, that’s not to say we’re better off as spectators than participants at major championships,” said the former Bendel Insurance winger.
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Nigeria failed to win ticket to defend its 2013 Afcon title in Equatorial Guinea after it finished a distant third in the qualifying race behind winners, South Africa and Congo Brazzaville.