By Victor Enyinnaya on February 1, 2022

As the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations football summit enters its semi-final stage four countries that made it to that crucial and critical stage are know host Cameroon, Egypt, Burkina Faso and Senegal.
According CAF fixtures Cameroon will slug it out with Egypt while two West African countries, Burkina Faso and Senegal will tango to know which of the teams will make it to the finals.
Truth is that the ongoing Africa’s premier football tournament has produced surprises in all regions and has really growth of the game in all facets too.
One is a situation where Ghana could not qualify to the round of 16 while Guinea Bissau, Gabon etc courageous ly showed lots of gritty and bluntness which vividly announced the fast growing of the game in the continent that minnows are closing the gap drastically signaling the big football playing countries that have been holding sway that time is really closing on them.
We also saw Nigeria that held so much before the game and somehow proved such doing the group stage failed like pack of cards against half strength Tunisian side whose head coach was not on the bench because of reported Covid 19 before his wards game against high flying Nigeria that stopped them in Egypt 2019 third place match.
Nigeria and Ghana failed their fans when the chips were down that is of course for the records. Now the stage is set for the last four matches as listed above.
Head or tail, it won’t be child’s play in both settings. For a team to come thus far remains no joke also. Any of them stood the chance of lifting the diadem and so non of the team would treat their respective opponents with kid gloves.
While tradition and pedigree of the teams in the championship would play major roles as they go to the football supremacy however, it may prove foolhardy for any team to underrate each. In football any expensive joke by any team might cost it furtherance in the competition.
Therefore the onions is on Cameroun, Egypt Burkina Faso and Senegal to look up decisively bracing up headlong and face their opponents squarely as there won’t be second chance.
However on paper Cameroun and Egypt semi-final showdown would be nitty-gritty in all ramifications.  The watch ward would steadfast and vigilance. The two benches will instruct their teams not to give breathing space to their opponents as any space or slip may prove costly.
Cameroun also multi title holders are equally facing yet another multi-faceted Egypt who game can prove difficult  anytime it gets its acts right. Egypt is a team to be reckoned with in African football and remains one of the best African teams any day. It will be a do or die affair as both sides will throw all into the game to come tops. Pedigree, prestige, strength and sundry would come to play. Non of them is a dark horse.
On the other hand host Cameroon is no push over too.  It will be a first class semi-final that would set the set the tone for the finals. It is no hiding fact that both will give great account of themselves which will put African football in greater perspective to the entire World that African football has come.
Once there is impartial officiating, the game would live its expectations by fans, pundits and experts of the round leather game. Lets us keep our fingers crossed and I won’t be dragged into sticking my neck out on who will carry the day. It will be a dicey game that would produce little space. Though as compact as it would be, the team that takes her chance (s) would carry the day to face either Senegal or Burkina Faso in the final stage.
In the other pairing the two West African brothers will try each other for size. On paper, Senegal may have the edge so far this football festival is concerned.  However, be that as it may, Burkina Faso has also come a long on her search for glory in the most prestigious football tournament in the continent.
It is obvious that with the executive pip on both countries quest to drink from this Cup. The chance to advance in the continuous search has again come in Cameroon 2021. Burkina Faso Stallions team has shown great measure of improvement since the commencement of this game. The West Africans despite the change of government back home faced this assignment with all vigour hoping earnestly for the best.
For instance her quarter-final match against Carthage Eagles of Tunisia the Stallions elegantly galloped past the North African that turned the Nigerian’s Super Eagles back in the round of 16. 
Senegal will play game of their lives to ensure it will reach the final game. It won’t easy game no matter how the bookmakers and others predict the direction of the anticipated epic semi-final match.
The team that play to instruction and guide her back jealously at alert would smile last.  Winners must emerge in both schedules. 

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 1, 2022

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