The countdown to the Rwanda 2016 Chan tournament continues and with only Four days to go till kick-off on 16 January 2016, Soka 25 east continues to give to you the potential contenders to the crown.

Group B is composed of 2009 champions the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Cameroon and Ethiopia.

THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

The Democratic Republic of Congo formerly known as Zaire come with a wealthy reputation both at National and Club level.

The Leopards are two time African Champions, their first crown coming in 1968 when they beat Ghana 1-0 in the final and also in 1974 in that famous 2-0 replay triumph over Zambia after the first final ended 2-2.

They were the first sub-Saharan team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 1974 held in West Germany.

The Leopards have participated in all the Africa Nations Championship editions, in 2009, 2011, 2014, and now 2016. They have a strong contingent of home based players from clubs like the current CAF Champions League winners Tout Puisssant  (TP Mazembe) and AS Vita Club. Head coach Florent Ibenge will be relying on the likes of Munganga Nelson, Ngudikama Christian (both from Vita Club) and Bolingi Jonathan from Mazembe.

The DRC should not be taken lightly. They certainly have what it takes to play in a CAF competition. Can the Leopards of Congo make history by clinching a record second title in Rwanda or will they be among the pretenders?

ANGOLA

Nicknamed the Palancas Negras (Sable Antelopes), Angola have made one appearance at the FIFA World Cup in 2006 Germany, but they did not survive the group stages. They have played in 7 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments making their debut in 1996. Angola’s best result at the AFCON was a quarterfinal final finish in 2008 and in 2010 when they were hosts.

The Sable Antelopes have claimed silverware at the regional COSAFA tournament winning the trophy on three occasions, in 1999, 2001 and 2004.

They are making a second appearance at the CHAN tournament. Their debut appearance in Sudan 2011 CHAN was so impressive; they reached the final only to be bruised 3-0 by Tunisia. The Angolans failed to qualify for the 2014 CHAN in South Africa but they are back in Rwanda attempting to turn their runner’s up silver medal of 2011 into gold in Rwanda.

CAMEROON

The indomitable Lions of Cameroon are making what is only their second appearance at the African Nations Championship, their first coming in 2011 Sudan CHAN and now in Rwanda 2016. Cameroon has enjoyed great success at the main African Cup of Nations winning it four times, which is in 1984, 1988, 2000 and 2002. They have also made 7 appearances at the FIFA World Cup with their famous Rodger Miller led side that reached the quarterfinals at Italia 90.

Despite this rich history, Cameroon is coming into this year’s CHAN tournament with the tag of pretenders. This is so because their record at the African Nations Championship leaves much to be desired and this record suggests they will struggle to exert their dominance in a group that has DR Congo, Angola and Ethiopia. Can the Indomitable Lions shake off the monkey from their backs and add a CHAN title to their CV.

ETHIOPIA

The Walia Ibex of Ethiopia are currently ranked 114 on the Coca-Cola FIFA World rankings which suggests they are the outsiders in Group B. They come into the tournament in Rwanda also with the tag of pretenders. But this is not to say they can’t win the title.

They have once won the Africa Cup of Nations but that was way back in 1962 when they hosted it. Since the late 1960’s their reputation has waned and have struggled to stamp their authority on the African scene till today. They have participated in 10 Africa Cup of Nations their recent once being in 2013.

The Ethiopians are making their second appearance at the CHAN tournament. The team boasts of talents in the shape of Mulualem Tilahun, Elias Mamo and Gatoch Panoc.

Are the Walia Ibex just pretenders or can they reignite the spirit of 1962 by winning the CHAN 2016 tournament in Rwanda?

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

Football Journalist | TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 Photographer | Media Officer - Kabwe Warriors FC | Graphic Designer | Videographer