AFCON DRAMA

How Group D finished
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Ivory Coast	3	1	2	0	3	2	5
Mali	3	0	3	0	3	3	3
Guinea	3	0	3	0	3	3	3
Cameroon	3	0	2

AFCON DRAMA -Issaclomedia

After the sporting events calendar  swings into gear for 2015, the best footballing nations on the African continent kicked off their Cup of Nations campaign at the Estadio de Bata, Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

Equatorial 2015 Cup of Nations has been full of twists and turns, the whole drama started in the build-up to the competition as Morocco the initial host country pulled out due to the nation's fear over the Ebola outbreak elsewhere on the continent. So Equatorial Guinea stepped in as the host, elsewhere in the build-up the defending champion, the Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to qualify for the tournament so they won't be defending their title.

African Cup of Nations campaign took off in a good start as the host were held in a 1-1stalemate against Congo in a mouth watering encounter but when Gabon faced Burkina Faso who were one of the tournament favourite, the Gabonese outshined Burkina Faso 2 goals to nothing, After that match everyone felt Gabon could go all the way but that din't last long as their first day victory was cut short when they suffered defeats against Congo and Equatorial Guinea the lowest ranked team in the competition, the host and Congo were the surprise teams to progress from Group A.

Algeria gave good account of themselves as the best team on the continent when they faced rising stars of South Africa in their opening match, coming from a goal down to eventually win the match 3 goals to 1, this group is tagged as the Group of Death because of exciting fixtures and it resulted in exciting results. Senegal defeated Ghana in a dramatic last minute comeback but the Black stars had to call on their Captain and Striker in their second game against the Desert warriors of Algeria, Ghana's captain Asamoah Gyan missed their first encounter  against Senegal but his last minute strike against the Algerians brought the Black Stars back to the competition, giving them all the needed 3 points but Senegal and South Africa played a 1-1 draw, this result means it was still game on for every team on the final day.

One thing occurred frequently in this group, late goals and on the final day, it did happen again with Algeria already done and dusted against Senegal, Ghana came from a goal down against Bafana Bafana of South Africa and Andrew Ayew saved the day with last minute header so it was Algeria & Ghana to the last Eight.

The next day it was Group D, nothing separating all the teams in this group, same points same goals, the Ivorians came from a goal down in their two previous matches against Guinea and Mali, Ivory Coast was playing Cameroon without the suspended Gervinho who was facing suspension after punching Guinean defender but Gradel Superb strike in the 36th minute on the final day against Cameroon was enough to put the Elephants through into the quarterfinals but Mali and Guinea match ended in another 1-1 stalemate meaning Cameroon is out of the competition but Mali and Guinea had the same records though Mali should have gone through but their Captain Seydou Keita missed a spot kick. Nothing could be used to separate both sides, a random draw had to be conducted for them by CAF but Guinea were the successful side in the proceedings run by the AFCON organising committee in Malabo meaning Guinea advance behind Group D winners Côte d'Ivoire. 

This Method of deciding which team progresses is causing a lot of controversies as players, coaches and many football fans want it to be reviewed. The competition goes on as the eight teams progresses.

Congo tackle DR Congo, Tunisia Versus Equatorial Guinea, Ghana Versus Guinea and Ivory Coast battle Algeria in the quarterfinals. All teams will fancy their chances at lifting the Cup on the 8th of February as many are now keeping their fingers crossed after seeing the preliminary stage dramas.