CAN Continuation

Well- 2 for 4 on quarterfinal predictions, though yesterday’s matches were both lotteries that one would be happy just to split. Based on play, one has to favor hosts Egypt over pusillanimous Senegal and Cote D’Ivoire over Nigeria next week, though the Cote D’Ivoire Nigeria matchup looks to be every bit the classic as the two matches of yesterday.

Reflections?

On the state of football being shown by the Africans generally, one must concede that it is strong and for the most part extremely balanced. While certainly there does not seem to be so great a power as exist in South America, where Brazil and Argentina so dominate the scene, there does seem to be a steady growth of competent sides, more like Europe.

To the question what region of Africa dominates, I think to the Stars’ credit at this point the answer seems clear. The title has been wrested away from strong Tunisia, but apart from hosts Egypt, CAN has become largely a West African affair. Clearly Southern African football is in turmoil, given the sorry showing of 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa, though Zimbabwe and Angola did not fair so poorly as could be expected (to Ghana’s eternal shame). And Central African football does seem to show some signs of improvement. But the battle has always been one of North Africa versus West Africa, and on this matter until 2008 the score has been settled. West is certainly best.