SPORTS: AFCON 2019 is Here!

So while we were all here in Nigeria battling with poor power supply and the hullabaloo that is (artificial) fuel scarcity, the draws for the 2019 African Cup Of Nations took place right in front of the ancient pyramids of Cairo, Egypt... But wait o, if we de battle heat like this in Nigeria, how the heat be for Egypt? Could that be a subtle reason why the event was actually held 'in the cool of the evening' outdoors? (sic!) 😋

The event had some of Africa's finest football greats such as Alou Cisse, Emmanuel Amunike, Rigobert Song Billong, Yaya Toure, El Hadji Diouf to name a few, present and looking well taken care of while the Egyptian President represented by his Prime Minister gave the customary welcome address followed by the President of CAF, Ahmad Ahmad.

Straight into the main event for the night in a competition that has 9 past Champions in contention, some really exciting draws were made for the tournament which Kicks off on the 21st of June and comes to a close on 19th July. Full details in the picture below;

All 6 groups look really exciting but special mention must be made of Group D which definitely is the 'group of death' on paper with 3 past Champions in Cote D'Ivoire, Morocco and South Africa slugging it out with potential whipping boys Namibia.

As a Naija fan, I can't but help rubbing my hands gleefully as I look at Group B where The Super Eagles, led by Franco-German Gernot Rhor comes up against 3 teams we can quite easily dispatch without a fuss (if our head correct o..ehen). The head-to-head stats are in our favor against Burundi (played 1,won 1) and Madagascar (played 4,won 3 and drawn 1). Our toughest task should be against Guinea who we play in the second group game (played 17, won 5, lost 5 and drawn 7).

It is from the second round of the competition that it becomes a bit more formidable with some tricky ties expected especially as 4 best 3rd place teams also move to the knock out stages a-la USA 94 due to the new 24 team, 6 group format introduced. Without sounding too much like a fan, I dare say the super eagles have all it takes to go all the way with the calibre of players in the team right now but we all know that football is not played on paper... We still remember what happened to Brazil in their backyard at the World Cup as well as Real Madrid being humbled by Ajax in the on going UEFA Champions League.

 While we mull on the fixtures and possible opponents in the knock out stages, I'll like to leave us with some interesting stats from the African Cup Of Nations. Enjoy.

1. This is the first draws for CAF President Ahmad Ahmad as former President Issa Hayatou was still in charge the last time.

2. This is the first time the tournament will have 24 teams contending for the trophy.

3. Egypt are hosts for the 5th time. The last time they were hosts in 2006, they won the tournament.

4. This edition has 9 West African teams, 6 South African teams, 4 North and East African teams and 1 Central African team.

5. This edition has 3 first timers in Burundi, Madagascar, Mauritania.

6. Kalusha Bwalya of Zambia remains the oldest goal scorer at 36 years in the year 2000.

7. Shiva Nzigou of Gabon is the youngest ever goal scorer at 16 years in the year 2000.

8. Ndaye Mulamba of Zaire is the highest goal scorer in a single tournament with 9 goals scored in 1974.

9. Samuel Eto'o Fils of Cameroun is the all time highest goal scorer with 18 goals over 6 tournaments.

Oya, apply for your annual leave, get your visa, pack your bags and catch me in Alexandria as we cheer the Super Eagles on to victory. I'm eyeing some of you, my colleagues who will travel with cartons of noodles and Cameroun pepper o. 😂 😂 😂

PS: Do let us have your opinion in the comments box below.