Group C Profile - 2010 Africa Cup of Nations

Group C might look like the easiest to sort out in terms of betting. Most people will tip Egypt and Nigeria to progress into the quarter-finals of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola but they could be wrong in their guessing.

Benin, who made a giant killing of Ghana in the qualifiers, and outsiders Mozambique (who also troubled Nigeria during the campaign), could both defy the odds.

Group C – the favorites at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations

Is it fair to look at Group C and instantly think of Egypt and Nigeria reaching the quarter-finals safely?

In truth, these two powerful nations in terms of football can clearly be seen as the favorites in Group C.

This brings us to analyzing Egypt and Nigeria in the first place before switching the focus on Les Ecureuils of Benin and The Mambas of Mozambique.

Egypt

Egypt can contest La Côte d’Ivoire when it comes to the beauty of their style of football.

The Pharaohs are not ranked first on the African continent according to FIFA but they are the defending champions of the competition. Therefore, they’ll be looking to clinch an unprecedented third Africa Cup of Nations trophy in a row.

The presence of great players like midfielder Aboutrika and goalkeeper Essam El Hadari should influence Egypt to do what they know best: dominate the play and win.

Nigeria

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will want to have a flying start at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola. A good start from match-day one could fire them all the way to the finals of the tournament.

Nigerians find a lot of pride in decorated players like Kanu, or in sensational key players like Odemwingie or Taye Taiwo. But they will be reminded that great work is achieved through team effort only.

Having learnt from their disappointing quarter-final exit in Ghana two years ago, Nigeria will try and play with much motivation but also respect towards each of their opponents.

Nigeria know all about Mozambique and their stubborn defense so the Super Eagles will certainly not attempt to be driven by complacency and arrogance.

Group C – the underdogs at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations

Benin and Mozambique are both considered as the second best in Group C but their spirit of underdogs could help them cause an upset.

Benin

They might be the right team to inflict sorrows on either Egypt or Nigeria at the end of it all in the group stages.

Benin qualified for Angola 2010 behind Ghana and the fact that they failed to reach the finals of the World Cup in South Africa with a first place finish in Round 3 doesn’t mean that The Squirrels must be underrated.

Benin clinched a last-second winner against Ghana during the qualification campaign only to show to other nations how dangerous and hungry they can be.

Mozambique

Mozambique are arguably the weakest side in Group C. Only a few people, if not nobody, believe that they could pass into the next stage of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, if Mozambique stumble and fail to qualify for the quarter-finals of the tournament, it doesn’t signify that they won’t be able to destroy another team’s dream of progressing into Round 2.

A stunning defensive performance, like the one that helped them hold Nigeria to a goalless draw, could offer Mozambique some memorable achievements.

Group C – the players to watch at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations

Mohamed Aboutrika (Egypt); Essam El Hadari (Egypt); Mohamed Zidan (Egypt); Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Nigeria); Peter Odemwingie (Nigeria); Taye Taiwo (Nigeria); Tico-Tico (Mozambique); Dario (Mozambique)

Group C – the crunch match at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations

There is no denying; the crunch match of Group C will be the first one between the Africa Cup of Nations defending champions Egypt and the two-time winners Nigeria.

The match, which will take place at the Complexo da Sr. da Graca in Benguela, will definitely test both teams’ readiness for the tournament.

A draw will leave these two favorites with a lot of opportunities to bounce back and qualify from Group C. But if there is a winner and a loser at the end of proceedings, then it will enlighten the possibility of an early shock and upset.

Big historical facts – Egypt, Nigeria, Benin, Mozambique

Egypt:

They have six Africa Cup of Nations trophies in their cabinet, they picked up bronze medals on three occasions, and they got silver medals once in their history.

In their last 8 appearances in the continent’s greatest competition, Egypt emerged as winners thrice. They also failed to progress from Round 1 only once since 1994.

Nigeria:

Nigeria might be counting less trophies than the Egyptians. The Super Eagles have clinched more bronze medals and silver medals rather than trophies. However, they can find assurance based on their Africa Cup of Nations history:

Since bowing out from Round 1 in 1982 for the second time ever, Nigeria have never failed to qualify from the group stages of the tournament. They always reach the semi-finals and it was in 2008 that they only afforded a quarter-final place finish.

Benin:

The Squirrels don’t have much to celebrate looking back at their Africa Cup of Nations history. Benin featured in the tournament only twice and crashed out at the earliest stage on both occasions.

More will be needed this time around in order to create history by reaching the quarter-finals at least in Angola.

Mozambique:

Three appearances in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament and three early exits… Mozambique will be looking to write more about achievements in their football history book.

Group C – the big question

Will Mozambique or Benin prevent at least one of the two favorites – Egypt and Nigeria – from reaching the quarter-finals of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola?