Welcome To 28th Africa Nations Cup 2012
HISTORY OF AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS : Author : G.C. DAS
G.C. DAS : BA (Cal), Mech. Eng. (Leeds), Tech. E. (U.K.), Diploma in German & French Languages, International sports Reporoter / Journalist / Tv / Radio Critic. ATTENDED & COVERED AS A SOCCER JOURNALIST IN EIGHT FIFA WORLD CUP FINALS, EIGHT EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS & THREE COPA AMERICA FINALS IN ARGENTINA, BELGIUM, BRAZIL, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, YUGOSLAVIA, MIXICO, PORTUGAL, SPAIN, SWEDEN, U.K., USA & URUGUAY FROM 1970 TO 2004.
HISTORY OF AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS : FOOTBALL had been introduced in AFRICA from the very beginning of the 20th Century, Englishmen & Dutchmen had started football game in South Africa for the first time in 1902, At that time in South Africa those Europeans were living, out of them 65% were Dutch & balance were from the other European Countries, Mainly, Englishmen and Dutch inhabitants from the Netherlands took initiative & tried to promote & develop the football game in South Africa, At that time only white people from Europe had been playing football in South Africa. Slowly, football became the most popular in South Africa. Then other nations of Africa adopted football game in their countries.
South Africa had applied for affiliation to FIFA in the year 1910. FIFA welcomed them and gladly accepted their membership. South Africa was the first non-European country to enroll as a member of FIFA. Then Argentina and Chile became the members of FIFA in the year 1912. USA was granted FIFA membership in the year1912. Confederacion Brasileira de Futebol (CBF Brazil) established in the year 1914. Later, on the other countries from the different parts of the world joined FIFA.
First International Football match in Africa played between Kenya and Uganda in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, in the year 1930. Egypt represented Africa in 1934 Italy World Cup. That was the first venture of Africa in FIFA world cup. Egypt had played marvelously against Football giant Hungary and lost the match by 2-4.
Delegates from South Africa, Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia met in Lisbon, Capital of Portugal and formed Confederation African de Football(CAF). The African Cup of Nations started in the year 1957 at Khartum, Capital of Sudan. In the first meeting of the CAF, the representative of South Africa, Mr. Veil demanded told, "we will participate in the competition with European white players only." Committee did not accept their proposal. Ultimately, South Africa withdrew from the competition.
The biggest disappointments were South Africa's Bafana Bafana from 1957 to 2010 save and except 1996 they won the champions in their home soil otherwise they had failed to impress during the last 54 years. The first Africa Cup of Nations was inaugurated in Khartum, capital of Sudan with pageantry. Egypt defeated Ethiopia in the final by 4-0 and won the first Africa Cup of Nations. L. Diba, striker of Egypt scored all the four goals in the final. Still this is a great record. No player did not break Diba's record till last Africa Cup of Nations in the year 2010.
1963,1965 and 1978 Sudan won Africa Cup of Nations and took away Abdul Aziz Abdalla Salem Trophy forever,. The trophy was donated by the first President, Abdul Aziz Salem of CAF.The indomitable Lions, CAMEROON, played consecutive three Africa Cup of Nations (1984, 86 and 88) final and they were winners in the year 1984 and 1988 and were Runners-up in the year 1986. It was their greatest achievements so far. At that time their world class and outstanding players were Thomas Nkono & Joseph Antoine
(Both goalkeepers), Theophile Abega (defender & Captain), Andre Kana Biyick (Midfielder), Roger Milla, Emmanuel Kunde and Francois Omam Kiyick (Forwards). Super Eagles, NIGERIA, showed their best performances in the year 1994 and won Africa Cup of Nations. They had marvellous squad under Dutch Coach, Clemens Westerhof and he was the first coach to take Nigeria in 1994 USA World Cup final.
The outstanding and wonderful side with Peter Rufai (Goalkeeper), Stephen Keshi (Back & (Captain), Ben Iroha (Left Back), Sunday Oliseh, Victor Ikpeba and Austin Okocha (Midfielders), All-rounder Uche Okechukuu Classic The indomitable Lions, CAMEROON, played consecutive three Africa Cup of Nations (1984, 86 and 88) final and they were winners in the year 1984 and 1988 and were Runners-up in the year 1986O It was their greatest achievements so far At that time their world class and outstanding players were Thomas Nkono &. Joseph Antoine (Both goalkeepers), Theophile Abega (def ebder &. Captain), Andre Kana Biyick Midfielder), Roger Milla, Emmanuel Kunde and Francois Omam Kiyick (Forwards) Super Eagles NIGERIA, showed their best performances in the year 1994 and won Africa Cup of Nations, They had marvelous squad under Dutch Coach Clemens Westerhof and he was the first coach to take Nigeria in 1994 USA World Cup final.
The outstanding and wonderful side with Peter Rufai (Goalkeeper), Stephen Keshi Back & Captain), Ben Iroha (Left Back), Sunday Oliseho Victor Ikpeba and Austin Okocha (Midfielders), All-rounder Uche OkechukwuB Classic Strikers Rashidi Yekeni, Daniel Amokachi both are the great pairing of Nigeria for all time in their history. Apart from that Emmanuel Amunike and Samson Siasia were the classic forwards,
Pharaohs are now ruling Africa, EGYPT, the Pharaohs, have been ruling and winning Africa Cup of Nations consecutive three times (2006, 2008 & 2010). Substitute Mohamed Nagui scored a winner five minutes from time to hand Egypt an unprecedented third successive Nations Cup title after a 1 - 0 victory over Ghana on Sunday, the 31st January, 2010.
Captain of Egypt, Kamel Ahmed Hassan became the first player to win four titles (1998,2006, 2008 & 2010),He made history in the Nations Cup after playing consecutive four finals for Egypt. The key players for their success in 2006 were midfielder, Mohamed Abou Trika, Amr Zaki and Captain Hassan, in 2008 Amr Zaki, Mohamed Abou Trika and Captain Hassan and in 2010 Goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary and Mohamed Zidan.
Egypt do not travel very well for a long time but a brilliant brand of flowing football played by a highly mobile unit who were quietly determined to prove their success in 2006, 2008 and 2010 were no fluke. In the end Egypt became the first nation to win six titles (1957, 1959, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010).
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