2013 Africa Cup of Nations Finals – Saturday 02 February 2013
Quarter-Finals
Going into the knock-out stage the bookies see the odds for the final eight teams as follows:
Ivory Coast 11/10, Ghana 7/2, South Africa 8/1, Nigeria 9/1, Mali 11/1, Burkina Faso 12/1, Togo 16/1, Cape Verde 25/1.
Ghana v Cape Verde
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
The bookies odds tell us who the winner should be, the latest CAF Rankings back up that outcome, as does logic. However, Ghana know they can take nothing for granted as they take on Cape Verde. At the 2012 AFCON The Black Stars were comfortable favourites to come through their Semi-Final against Zambia. However, the footballing Gods decreed otherwise and Ghana went out. Today, Ghana come into the game unbeaten after a draw with Congo DR (2-2) and wins over Mali (1-0) and Niger (3-0). Cape Verde are also unbeaten having drawn two games, against South Africa (0-0) and Morocco (1-1) and won their final fixture with a late goal from Heldon to beat Angola 2-1 and progress to the Quarter-Finals. Ghana will have to carry all the weight and expectation that being firm favourites bring. The Blue Sharks have nothing to lose and have proved in the Group fixtures that they are an organised side with some skill to match in players such as Platini. The AFCON has shown in the previous few tournaments that it is not kind to the favourites. Is there another shock in store today?
South Africa v Mali
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
Whilst Ghana will be carrying the burden that being amongst the favourites brings, South Africa have to manage the expectation and pressure of being the host nation. Bafana Bafana are unbeaten after draws Cape Verde (0-0) and Morocco (2-2) and a 2-0 win over Angola. Mali are playing against a background of military action in their homeland, which could either act as a massive distraction or as motivation to bring some good news to the troubled country. The Malians won their opening Group game against Niger (1-0), lost to Ghana 1-0 in their next fixture, but secured a Quarter-Final spot after a 1-1 with Congo DR. Mali see themselves as underdogs going into the fixture, but it is too close to call. Could this one go to penalties?