Africa Cup of Nations: The Elephants v The Black Stars

The terrorist attack on the Togo national football team that precluded this year’s Africa Cup of Nations rocked the football world. Raising heightened concerns for the safety of players and supporters for the remaining fixtures in Angola, many participants and media outlets argued for the competition to be abandoned. But a week after the fateful events in Cabinda, African football has an early opportunity to show what it’s really all about. Enter The Elephants and The Black Stars.

The one match you’re not going to want to miss. The second game in Group B, Cabinda is again the centre of attention as two heavyweights of African football, Ivory Coast and Ghana, go head-to-head Friday for a place in the quarter-finals.

Burkina Faso pulled off the early surprise of the tournament holding Ivory Coast to a scoreless draw in the group’s only fixture. But despite Ghana having yet to kickstart their campaign – watching from the sidelines as first match opponents Togo pulled out – coach Milovan Rajevac knows a point in Cabinda and a win in their final match against Burkina Faso will ensure qualification.

Friday’s blockbuster guarantees magic. Yaya Toure v Michael Essien. Kolo Toure v Dominic Adiyiah. Didier Drogba v John Mensah. Both teams have a point to prove, and with the World Cup just around corner every player is playing for their spot in South Africa . Will The Elephants or The Black Stars claim early bragging rights?

Will Michael Essien's return to fitness inspire The Black Stars?