'The African people love Toure and Eboue'



The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Ghana this Sunday and there's a decent chance that at least one Arsenal player will emerge with a winner's medal.

Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue will represent tournament favourites Ivory Coast while Alex Song has earned his first call-up to the Cameroon national side. The Indomitable Lions have a rich pedigree and are in with a shout of their fifth Nations Cup title.

So how are Toure, Eboue and Song perceived in Africa? How strong is African football at the moment? Who will be there or thereabouts when the Final takes place on February 10?. We asked Durosimi Thomas, African Football Correspondent for the BBC, for some answers.

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Durosimi, how big a deal is the African Cup of Nations these days?

"At this time in the competition's history, it is a bit divided. There could be the passion for a country like Namibia to be at the Nations Cup because it is only the second time they have qualified for the competition so they will have a lot of expectation. At the same time you have a young generation of African fans who are now infected by the English Premier League and other top European football. When the Final takes place on February 10, if there is an English fixture on the same day, you will see some young African fans watch the English game instead of the Final. It has only been like that because local football in Africa is not as developed as the national teams, so youngsters grow up watching European football and don't always follow the African Nations Cup. It is a bit divided but the competition has maintained its status because now there is more media coverage."

Arsenal fans will be watching the progress of Ivory Coast and Cameroon. What are their chances of winning?

"Ivory Coast are top of the list. Even two years ago in Egypt they were hot favourites to win. They are strong in all departments - goalkeeping, defence, midfield, attack - and they have strong substitutes too. Everybody is expecting Ivory Coast to win it. The only thing which will prevent them from winning is over-confidence. As for Cameroon they can still maintain their pedigree, they have some good players including some from the 2002 tournament which they won. Rigobert Song is still there and now they have the younger Song, Alex, and everyone is waiting to see what he can deliver. Cameroon are definitely among the favourites."

Ivory Coast came so close last time, losing the Final to Egypt after a penalty shoot-out. That will be an extra incentive for them, won't it?

"Exactly. They didn't do so well at the World Cup, it was a very difficult group for them in Germany. They think they have to win the African Nations Cup because they have such a good side at the moment but the next generation of Ivorian players is not of the same quality so it could be a long time until they have such a good chance again. You have to go back to the 1960s and early 1970s for the last time Ivory Coast were so strong. Even when they won the tournament in 1992 it was a complete surprise. Now they have a strong generation of players and they know they must win it."

What is the perception of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue in Africa?

"Eboue, when he started playing in the Premier League for Arsenal, they fell in love with him immediately. When kids have a kickabout in Africa, Eboue or Kolo Toure are the names they have. They are very popular all over Africa and so are Arsenal because the people in Africa follow the English Premier League passionately. Toure? They love him and they love the fact he can go forward and try to score a goal. They are both very important players for the Ivorian side. Didier Drogba gets a lot of headlines because he is an attacker but the next most important player for them is Kolo Toure."

Alex Song has earned his first call-up for Cameroon. What do African football fans think of him?

"I have seen flashes of him in the Premier League but the comments I have heard about Alex Song is that people would like to see more of him. Now he is going to play in a Cameroon shirt I think they are waiting for him to perform on the big stage. He will of course be compared to his older brother, Rigobert, who now plays in Turkey. It's possible that Cameroon's German coach will pair them up in central defence and that is what people are waiting to see. They love the idea of that happening."

African players know that Europe will be watching the tournament. Are they in the 'shop window' for a dream move to a big club?

"Exactly. About 95 per cent of the players coming for the Nations Cup are already based in Europe or at least they are not playing in their country of origin. What that means is that you have a talented player like the Nigerian striker Osaze Odemwingie, he plays for Lokomotiv Moscow and has all the qualities you can look for in a striker who can play in the Premier League. He might already be on the radar of Arsene Wenger! But the player will be dreaming of a move to the English Premier League. European-based Africans who don't play for big clubs, as well as those who are still playing in Africa, they know that if they want to be in the bigger picture they have to be in the Premier League or La Liga in Spain. The Nations Cup is their chance to show what they can do."

Do you think African football has ever been stronger?

"People who followed the earlier Nations Cups say that nothing much has changed. The reason why they say this is that in those days, for example the 1980s, the players were massive legends. For example you can't put Didier Drogba close to Jamela, you can't even start to compare them because those guys were legends. They played with their hearts, it was a matter of pride for them, it wasn't a matter of wanting to play for a big European club side. When you go back the local club teams were stronger and had a greater following but that is not the case now. Now the players have more money and that is the big difference. In the past there was real passion but no money."

Who do you expect to win this year's tournament and which players will stand out?

"My money is on Ivory Coast - I will take the risk of making a prediction! If I had to go for one it would be them. The star of the tournament is hard to pick because I think we could have a new discovery, some new talent playing for Sudan or Namibia or Benin or another team which does not usually qualify and is not expected to do well."