With most of sporting world’s eyes on the Super Bowl, EPL, and La Liga, one tournament has quietly become one of the most emotional and memorable sports stories to date. The Africa Cup of Nations is the international tournament between nations from Africa that crowns the best team on the continent. This is a typical soccer structured tournament, where teams have to qualify for the tournament which is held in a different country every two years. This tournament’s hosting duties are shared between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, two small countries on the west coast of the continent; both nations are ranked outside of the top 100 teams in the world but qualified automatically as hosts. Co-host Equatorial Guinea is ranked 151st in the world, has one of the worst human rights records on the planet, and was placed in a group with Sengal and Libya, two top-tier African teams. But the little nation that could pulled the unthinkable, winning their opening match against Libya 1-0, then four days later taking down Senegal 2-1, eventually leading to a second place finish in the group and bid to the quarterfinals. But the drama and intrigue doesn’t stop with the host nation’s success.
On a continent that is mainly known for impoverished citizens, uprisings, dictators, and violence; a soccer tournament has captured the attention of the world as global superstars and unknown journeymen compete for their people. The ability for soccer to change the human heart is evident as masses of joyful supporters from different cultures, statuses, languages and lives engulf together in peaceful enjoyment of the beautiful game. Albeit for a short while, the African Cup of Nations should be celebrated and uplifted for how it has impacted lives for good. Don’t look at the headlines and the negative press for a change, see through the ink and asterisks, there is something pure, something positive, and something beautiful taking place in Africa.
Ghana's young talent has led them to the semi-finals.
It’s not too late to miss the drama and excitement as it seems the African Cup has saved the best for last. The tournament began with sixteen teams and now it is down to the final four nations: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Zambia, and Mali. Ivory Coast expected to be in this position as they claim some of the best players in the world: Didier Drogba, the Toure brothers, and Salomon Kalou. Their star power and experience has dominated throughout the entire tournament by scoring eight goals in four games all the while giving up zero goals against. Ghana is another powerhouse nation who has a history of success, winning the African Cup four times and making it to FIFA World Cup quarterfinals in 2010. Yet this Ghana side is pieced together from young talent across the world who have Ghanaian roots, such as the Ayew brothers who were born in France. Still Ghana has been able to group a relatively unknown pool of talent, find success, and will look to mold this team into another competitive World Cup squad. And then comes the two others semi-finalists Mali and Zambia, both countries haven’t ever qualified for World Cup and have never won the African Cup. Needless to say they are underdogs and both have fought endlessly to get into this position. Zambia has been brilliant and have overachieved the entire tournament by winning their group and dominating Sudan in the quarterfinals 3-0 to make it the the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Mali had to muster some late magic to reach the final four with a victory over Gabon in penalty kicks. Two giants in the soccer world versus two hot underdogs in a battle for the African Cup of Nations. Zambia will look to use their tough defense (who has only conceited three goals), against the young attack of Ghana. While Mali looks to pull off another dramatic upset versus the star power of the Ivory Coast. Don’t miss out on one of the best sporting events of the year; Africa takes center stage as the beautiful game once again changes the way humans use sports for the good of mankind.
