African Cup of Nations Live
The African Nations Cup (ANC) is a flagship football event in the Dark Continent, which showcases the best talent that Africa has got on the world stage. Also called the African Cup of Nations, the event is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and takes place every two years usually at the beginning of the year. You can watch all matches from the 2010 African Nations Cup live with watchfootballnow.com. Join today from as little as £9.99 per year.
Interest in the tournament is high as key players are likely to be snapped up by big clubs in Europe, who are always on lookout for skilled players. The likes of Didier Drogba, Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien and Yakubu shot to fame on the world stage after their exploits in the African Nations Cup.
This year the tournament promises to be even more exciting as Ivory Coast and Ghana are in the same group as are Egypt and Nigeria.
History
The first ANC event was held in 1957 and had just three countries participating : Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia vied for the honors after South Africa were disqualified for the nation's apartheid policies. Egypt were the first winners of the tournament after defeating Sudan and Ethiopia.
Two years later Egypt retained the crown. In 1962, nine teams participated in the event, which was won by Ethiopia. Since 1968, the African Nations Cup has been played every two years in even numbered years. In the 1960s Ghana dominated the ANC, while Sudan, Congo-Brazzaville, Zaire, Morocco, Ghana, and Nigeria won the title in the next decade.
In the 1980s Cameroon and Nigeria emerged as football powerhouses in Africa. In 1992 Cote d'Ivoire emerged winners after a marathon shootout against Ghana. In 1996 South Africa made an appearance in the tournament, hosting it after years of exile due to political reasons. The Bafana Bafana won the title in that year.
In 1998 the participating pool was 16 nations and it has remained so ever since. In 2000 and 2002, Cameroon recorded consecutive wins followed by Tunisia winning their first title in 2004. The 2006 and the 2008 versions were won by Egypt.
Format
The 16 teams are divided into four groups with the top two teams making it to the quarterfinals after playing one game against each of their group members.
Egypt has won the title 6 times followed by four wins each for Cameroon and Ghana.
The 2010 African Cup of Nations
This is the 27th edition of the ACN and will be held in Angola between January 10 and January 31, 2010. The Orange African Cup of Nations 2010 will be keenly watched across the globe as African nations have emerged as serious contenders in the World Cup due to be played in South Africa in 2010.
The likes of Ghana, Cameroon and Ivory Coast have excited observers who will hope to see a fine exhibition of attacking football once again.
Key Players
Didier Drogba - Ivory Coast
Michael Essien - Ghana
Emmanuel Adebayor - Togo
Samuel Eto'o - Cameroon
Yakubu - Nigeria
Jon Obi Mikel - Nigeria
Salomon Kalou - Ivory Coast
Victor Anichebe - Nigeria