Afcon Quarterfinals Time

The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) quarterfinals explode into life this evening with the first two quarters – Zambia against Sudan, and then pre-tournament favourites Ivory Coast taking on co-hosts Equatorial Guinea.

Tomorrow it’s then the turn of the other co-hosts Gabon to strut their stuff when they face Mali before the Black Stars of Ghana meet Tunisia. Should be interesting.

Zambia 2, Senegal 1

Zambia v Sudan

The Zambia and Sudan game should be an interesting one. Sudan showed heart in getting this far but they were the best of an ordinary bunch to come out of Group B behind Ivory Coast. Zambia on the other hand are battle hardened having beaten another highly-favoured side in Senegal, survived Libya in difficult conditions before beating hosts Equatorial Guinea.

In Chris Katongo, Chipolopolo also have one of the form attackers in this tournament. It will be a close encounter but Zambia should win.

Prediction: Zambia to go through to the Afcon semi-finals for the first time since 1996.

Ivory Coast v Equatorial Guinea

Ivory Coast against Equatorial Guinea is a tricky one, and a potential upset. Ivory Coast have showed more fortitude than in any tournament since the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations. They seem to be a team on a mission and so far haven’t conceded a goal in winning their three group games. However, the fact that Elephants haven’t hit their straps still leaves room for doubt. How will they react to a hostile environment and a motivated team? What if they go behind, how will they react? So far Ivory Coast’s big guns haven’t fired. Despite being deployed in a role which he favours, and one which allows a better team structure, Yaya Toure has yet to impose himself and looked particularly laboured in the last group game against Burkina Faso.

Despite scoring against Sudan in the opening game, captain and talisman Didier Drogba still looks short of his destructive best, while Gervinho and Kalou have continued their wasteful club form.

It all means Ivory Coast are by no means a guarantee to win. Such games have a tendency to surprise. Equatorial Guinea are highly-motivated and have little to lose.

Prediction: Ivory Coast have so much quality it’s hard to bet against them. But if they win it won’t have been easy.

Gabon v Mali

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Gabon have been my team of the tournament so far. They have an energy and a drive that’s hard not to admire, and they don’t lack quality either. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been one of the stars of the tournament so far and his pace will be a threat, especially against a Mali defence that hasn’t particularly looked top notch this tournament.

Prediction: Fanatic home crowd will inspire Gabon to a comfortable win. Gabon 2-0.

Ghana v Tunisia

Tunisia are a typical North African side – passionate. And there is no substitute for this in my book. It’s why North Africa has dominated club and national team football on the continent for a large part of this century.

Fortunately for Ghana they seem to be a team devoid of egos, a curse that has killed West African giants in recent years – Cameroon, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast – especially when facing the single-mindedness of North African teams.

Prediction: I would not be surprised if Tunisia beat Ghana, but as with Ivory Coast, the weapons and pedigree the Black Stars possess makes them slight favourites. Ghana 2-1.

Ausi Tholoana

Butha-Buthe, Lesotho