voldemort

Two Physical Sides The Teranga Lions of Senegal showed the tenacious side of their game in their first group encounter against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia. Having gone a goal down, the Senegalese team fought back in the fashion of a team that harbours desires to win the trophy, putting in two goals before a late strike from the Tunisians salvaged a draw for the North African team. Really, the Senegalese proved themselves a formidable side, and are beginning to look like serious contenders for the title.
The strike force, led by El-Hadji Diouf, will no doubt cause trouble for any team in the competition.
Polish-born coach Henry Kasperczak was able to create a balanced midfield for the team despite the prevalence of more defensive-minded midfielders, and we saw the Lions dominate the game in that department for long spells.

The team was a delight to watch in that first game - they displayed all the characteristics of the real African football. Their pace, physical strength and sheer resilience is typical of the traditional African game, and they showed the world exactly what that meant against Tunisia.
The Angolans, meanwhile, also share the spirit of the African game. The Palancas Negras showed some great tactical ability in their opening group fixture against the South Africans. The Angolans, like the Senegalese, are physically strong and tactically disciplined, frustrating several attacking efforts made by the Bafana Bafana in their encounter.
The Palancas Negras also boast a prolific strike force in Al Ahli's Flavio Amando and new Manchester United youngster Manucho, who scored a fantastic headed goal against the South Africans.
Coach Olivier Goncalves, however, will be concerned about the inability of his creative midfielder, Figuiereido, to raise his game in the South African encounter. He was virtually anonymous, kept losing the ball, and was not effective in marking the opposition. This might prove very costly against a Senegalese side that is a lot more aggressive and experienced than the Bafana Bafana.
This game is set to be a keenly contested encounter, with a lot of tackles flying in the midfield department.

A tricky game
Both sides know that they need to secure a win to give themselves an edge in the race to pick a ticket into the quarterfinals.
Each side in the group has just one point, and a win for any team will leave them needing only one further point in their final group game to qualify to the next round.
There is also the possibility of both sides cancelling each other out in all department and the game dragging itself into an entertaining score drawm just as we saw in the first round of matches in this group.
TEAM NEWS
Senegal
The Teranga Lions gave an impressive all-round performance in the encounter against Tunisia, and I do not think Coach Henry Kasperczak will be too inclined to making serious alterations to the teams starting line-up.
The only changes we could see in the starting line-up could be the inclusion of Portsmouth midfielder Baba Bouba Diop who came in as a substitute in the previous game, and Reading defender Ibrahima Sonko could also be making his African Nations Cup debut.
Lille OSC goalkeeper Tony Sylva should man the posts for the Lions in this game. Indeed, barring injuries the keeper should be in between the woodwork for the Lions throughout their stay in the West African country.
In defence, right full-back Habib Beye and Belgian-based Mouhamed Adama Sarr will running the flanks for the team, with Souleymane Diawara pairing up with either Abdoulaye Faye or more likely Ibrahima Sonko in the centre of the defence.
The midfield should have Papa Bouba Diop starting in the defensive position, with Frederic Mendy and the impressive Bayal Sall filling the remaining positions.
The attack should be led by team Captain El-Hadji Diouf alongside Marseille ace Mamadou Niang and Fulham striker Diomansy Camara.
There is also the possibility of Kasperczak introducing Waigo Ndiaye and the talented Ndonye later in the game.
The team should retain their 4-3-3 formation in this game with the two full backs occasionally providing support for the attack line.
Angola
The Angolans will make very few changes to the team that started against neighbors South Africa on Wednesday.
Petro Athletico goalkeepe, Joao Lama should be in goal for the team. He showed some great athletism in the first game to deny the Bafana Bafana some strikes.

The defence should be held by Rui Marques and Primeiro Agosto's Loco. Marco Airosa and Jamba should complete the back line.

Figueiredo should once again start despite his poor performance in the first game. He will most likely be joined by Al Ahli's Gilberto, Mendonca, and Boavista's Ze Kalanga.
The attack line is expected to remain unchanged, as the Angolans boast two of the continent's deadliest strikers in Flavio and Manucho.
Olivier Goncalves should line out his players in a 4-4-2 formation, with the midfield being very mobile; they will be set up to support the attack and back-up the defence as a unit.
The strength of the team, however lies in the attack, and the ability of the midfielders to put quality passes through to them would determine how effective they will be.
PLAYERS TO WATCH

Angola- Manucho
The new Manchester United recruit showed the world just why the English club side came calling for him with a fantastic headed goal against the South Africans. He should be the man to cause the Teranga Lions trouble in today's encounter.
Senegal- El Hadji Diouf
He was the chief architect of the Lions' revival in their opening game against the Tunisians with his determined runs and passes. The old campaigner motivated his team-mates to come back from being one goal down. He will no doubt be the key man for the Senegalese in today's encounter.
PREDICTION
This game will be physical and the defences will have to be vigilant against the quick strikers. The midfield will also be keenly contested, with the more physical side gaining the advantage. The Teranga Lions have more African Nations Cup experience on their side, and that experience should give them the edge in this closely matched encounter.
Senegal 3:2 Angola




source:goal.com