MALABO - Uefa President Michel Platini, a staunch supporter of Europe's smaller teams, may be casting an envious eye towards Africa, which has seen a dramatic levelling out in the past two years.
Poor management, ageing players and outdated coaches are blamed for the downfall of teams such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt and South Africa, all of whom failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations being held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
They have made way for the likes of Niger and Botswana, who are making their debuts at the tournament, and Sudan and Libya.
The trend has continued at the tournament itself.
Senegal, whose attack included Moussa Sow, top scorer in Ligue 1 last season, Papiss Cisse, the Bundesliga's second top scorer last term, Mamadou Niang and Demba Ba, went home early after losing all three games.
Morocco, another pre-tournament favourite, also fell at the first hurdle along with Angola.
Meanwhile, Zambia are through to the last eight along with an Equatorial Guinea side based largely on Spanish lower league players, and unfancied Gabon and Sudan.
It is all far less predictable than Europe where, despite Platini's encouragement, the qualifying competition for Euro 2012 produced a dull procession of easy wins for the likes of Spain, Germany, Netherlands and Italy.
Sudan's progress is a testament to the benefits of having a solid domestic league rather than depending on foreign-based players who fly in from Europe and elsewhere.
Afcon breaks the mould
MALABO - Uefa President Michel Platini, a staunch supporter of Europe's smaller teams, may be casting an envious eye towards Africa, which has seen a dramatic levelling out in the past two years.
Poor management, ageing players and outdated coaches are blamed for the downfall of teams such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt and South Africa, all of whom failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations being held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
They have made way for the likes of Niger and Botswana, who are making their debuts at the tournament, and Sudan and Libya.
The trend has continued at the tournament itself.
Senegal, whose attack included Moussa Sow, top scorer in Ligue 1 last season, Papiss Cisse, the Bundesliga's second top scorer last term, Mamadou Niang and Demba Ba, went home early after losing all three games.
Morocco, another pre-tournament favourite, also fell at the first hurdle along with Angola.
Meanwhile, Zambia are through to the last eight along with an Equatorial Guinea side based largely on Spanish lower league players, and unfancied Gabon and Sudan.
It is all far less predictable than Europe where, despite Platini's encouragement, the qualifying competition for Euro 2012 produced a dull procession of easy wins for the likes of Spain, Germany, Netherlands and Italy.
Sudan's progress is a testament to the benefits of having a solid domestic league rather than depending on foreign-based players who fly in from Europe and elsewhere.