African Cup of Nations semifinal picks
A quality round of quarterfinals helped to light up the African Cup of Nations and set the scene for an intriguing end to the tournament.
Hosts Ghana edged rival Nigeria in a thriller, while Cameroon squeezed past Tunisia in extra time.
Yahoo! Sports predicted three of the four quarterfinal winners, with only Egypt ruining our record by preventing an upset against Angola.
Here are our picks for Thursday's semifinals as four of Africa's big hitters collide to decide this Sunday's finalists.
GHANA VS. CAMEROON
Samuel Eto'o was held scoreless in the quarters, but Cameroon's utility players came through to keep the Indomitable Lions' title challenge on course. However, they face a huge task against the tournament hosts, who battled past a tough and talented Nigeria side to reach the last four.
Ghana will be without captain and defensive ace John Mensah but is still likely to dominate in midfield, especially if Portsmouth's Sulley Muntari continues his spectacular form. The vocal home support could be the deciding factor as Ghana fans try to roar their team into the final.
Prediction: Ghana will continue its charge toward the title in a tightly contested encounter. Ghana 2, Cameroon 1.
IVORY COAST VS. EGYPT
There seems to be no stopping Ivory Coast, which smashed Guinea with a superb 5-0 demolition to reach this stage.
Didier Drogba is channelling his anger at being snubbed for the African Player of the Year award into powerful performances, and the tournament favorites should be too strong again here.
In the 2006 African Cup of Nations, Egypt beat the Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout to win the crown – but that was in Egypt.
Don't expect a repeat here. Egypt was not entirely convincing in its quarterfinal victory against Angola and could be outclassed.
Prediction: Drogba and friends show why they are the class team of the competition. Ivory Coast 3, Egypt 0.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"I think John is one of the best five defenders in the world and it is a major blow for us" – Ghana coach Claude Le Roy on the absence of suspended captain John Mensah.
