Power rankings part II - Ivory Coast the favourite

1 – Ivory Coast

A fully fit Kolo Toure will give the Ivory Coast strength in every department, with a host of goal-scoring threats.

2 – Egypt

The defending champion is getting among the goals but Cameroon did find a way through in the second half of the opening game. The Pharaohs could be exposed in the air.

3 – Tunisia

The Carthage Eagles have a knack of conceding soft goals but with its attacking players on song and Francileudo Dos Santos in particular finding the mark they will be a contender.

4 – Angola

The devastating Manucho will only command more attention from here, giving Flavio and Ze Kalanga more opportunities. With a well organised defence, Angola has the discipline to handle knock-out football.

5 – Nigeria

Although underdogs to progress form their group, the number of quality players in the Nigerian line-up could still find form. But more likely Berti Vogts will find the right combination of forwards to start scoring goals.

6 – Cameroon

Samuel Eto’o and Achille Emana are proving an effective partnership while Geremi has been inspired on the right flank. Poor defending has been Cameroon’s downfall and counts against them at this stage.

7 – Ghana

Although the hosts have not produced great performances, they are winning. Asamoah Gyan cannot be afforded too many games to find form while the as-yet unsighted Haminu Dramani could be a surprise attacking weapon.

8 – Morocco

Should the Moroccans progress the quality and experience in its side is there to turn around the bafflingly poor performance against Guinea. But what it will take is better defending.

9 – Mali

If Mali do progress to the knock-out stages they will have to find some attacking potence. Putting one goal past Benin and drawing scoreless with Nigeria is hardly going to have defences quivering.

10 – Guinea

With Pascal Feindouno suspended for the first knock-out game should Guinea make it, the avenues to goal are severely compromised.

11 – Senegal

Senegal’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed by Angola and with El Hadji Diouf providing little up front do not look like progressing, never mind threatening.

12 – South Africa

Bafana Bafana has been decidedly uninspiring at this tournament and already needs a minor miracle to progress from the group stages.

13 – Zambia

Sitting ducks even if they pull of a miracle to progress. The defending against Cameroon was comical.

14 – Sudan
The lowest mathematical chance to progress to the knock-out stages and also yet to score a goal.
Already eliminated – Namibia, Benin