adminWE all know that population size is not proportionate to footballing success, otherwise China and India would contest the World Cup final regularly. But it can still make for some interesting comparisons. There is Nigeria, for example — a country of around 175 million people, and the 2013 African champions – which has been unable to field a team capable of qualifying for this year’s finals. And then there is the tiny island nation of Cape Verde — population 500 000 — which will be at the Nations Cup for the second tournament in its history, and the second in a row. Last time around, Cape Verde got through a group containing hosts South Africa, former champions Morocco and Angola, before putting up a decent fight against Ghana in the quarter-final.
Ranked seventh in Africa, above Nigeria and South Africa, they are rated 40th in the world, above the likes of Turkey and the Republic of Ireland. They have achieved the feat in much the same way Algeria has climbed up the rankings, by luring Europe-based professionals to play for a country with which they have ancestral links. This time around, the team from the islands that lie 500km (310 miles) off the west coast of Africa will be up against three former champions: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia and Zambia.
David beating Goliath
Just like Cape Verde, Burkina Faso and Zambia have shown that anything is possible at a Nations Cup — with Burkina Faso unexpectedly reaching the 2013 final, having never won any of their previous 21 Nations Cup matches away from home.
When Chipolopolo won the championship against all expectations in 2012, they were driven on by an unseen power — namely, their determination to reach the final in Gabon to honour the 18 players, and 12 other officials, who died in a plane crash shortly after taking off from the capital, Libreville, in 1993. — BBCsport.
Online Reporter