Algeria show true footballing colours

Jan 25, 2010

WHEN Algeria kicked off the Nations Cup with a 3-0 defeat to Malawi, it was Algeria’s own press that dominated the ensuing criticism. But it was not alone. Ugandans, with their uncanny ability to read between the lines, at once concluded that Algeria would embarrass Africa at this year’s World C

By Charles Mutebi

WHEN Algeria kicked off the Nations Cup with a 3-0 defeat to Malawi, it was Algeria’s own press that dominated the ensuing criticism. But it was not alone.

Ugandans, with their uncanny ability to read between the lines, at once concluded that Algeria would embarrass Africa at this year’s World Cup.

The argument was that if Algeria cannot beat Malawi, who of England, Slovenia and the USA, do they hope to defeat?

Unbeknownst to such reasoning of course was the fact that Algeria had spent their preparations in the south of France, where the temperatures were sub-zero. They were always bound to struggle in their opening match in hot and humid conditions.

Fox in Sheep’s clothing

There is little question Algeria were dreadful against Malawi but, as subsequent events have proved, Rabah Saadanes men are not so bad after all.
They are certainly not as bad as the Ivory Coast, their quarterfinal victims from Sunday. Anointed as certain finalists pre-tournament, the Elephants discovered the discrepancy between hype and substance as they exited another Nations Cup with tail between the legs.

Algeria deserve all the attention for their 3-2 win but it is impossible to ignore the Ivorians, who continue to postpone their predicted greatness.
Even the Algerian coach Rabah Saadane was shocked by the demise of the Ivorians. “I wasn’t surprised by my team,” he remarked “but more by the decline of the Ivory Coast side”.

****Manucho fall complete?

A nation’s hopes crashed with Ghana’s 1-0 quarterfinal win over Angola on Sunday. But that game might have also been the end of Manucho as Africa’s next big thing.

Against Ghana, the striker was offered two glorious chances to redeem Angola and his faltering career –– and he missed both. There might be no recovery for the 26 year-old.

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