Karibu Syndicate Members,
Africa heats up and I sincerely hope you’ll be joining us.
The burden of following two Continental Championships is not lost on your
friendly bookie. He knows full well how cumbersome it can be. That’s the
primary reason why your Quarterfinal Lines shall be delivered sans a mailbag or
a “Classic Re-post”.
No time for distractions tonight, brothers. No hokey tricks.
Straight football.
All of your riffs have been received and ruminated upon.
Responses are in order and shall be delivered.
Semi-Final Lines are forthcoming ; ) ; )
My Updated Stats:
Spread: 4-20
Straight Up: 4-10-10
Seriously fucked up stats there. As insane as the tournament
itself
Goodbyes
Section
16th
Place—Burkina Faso
Kerrsplat.
Down goes bookie!
Down goes Bookie!
Down goes Bookie!
DOWN FOR THE COUNT!
DEAD FUCKING LAST!
As it turned out, my preferred racehorse turned out to have
two broken legs. No need to resort to surgery. I’m not calling up Robert
Redford to whisper to this wounded steed either. We’re going to euthanise these
“non-starter nags” right now. What a fiasco! I’ll never back an equine-inspired
team again. Between them and the Broncos, I’ve lost a sizeable chunk of change.
; (
Hopes ran high as your friendly bookie welcomed one his
oldest mates back into the fold and devoted a large chunk of his valuable time
to composing a hefty primer section on the Stallions. He belittled such
worrying trends as club demotions for Jonathan Pitroipa and Charles Kabore. He
brushed aside serious form downgrades manifested by both Aristide Bance and
Alain Traore. He completely disregarded the absence of previously relevant
catalysts such as Issouf Outtara, Willy Sanou, and Moumani Dagano.
The initial loss was easily explained away. The Gabonese
Panthers had, after all, owned the Stallions. Surely Paul Put could come up
with a winning formula one way or another. Moreover, encouraging signs from
youngsters Jonathan Zongo and Bertrand Traore allowed hope to burgeon.
Then came the devastating “double-down” flowing the Equatorial
Guinea draw. It seemed perfectly plausible that such an inherently talented
side could bloom late and take care of business. Plenty of Independent
Oddsmakers likely erred on the same side. Put declined to show confidence in
his young phenom (Bertrand Traore) and his older talisman (Aristide Banc). The
lineup selection looked far too safe. By the time the long-serving Belgian head
coach inserted the right players….it was far too late. ; (
So-long Stallions. Catch up with you guys in two years.
15th
Place—South Africa
Heart does indeed count for a lot. Go boys, go! Glorious Tomahawk Strike from Mandla Masango! Even more impressive, he recovered from a stumble and kept his nerve on the retrace before unleashing that volley. Each of their three fixtures featured a sensational story. Far more importantly, each of their three fixtures featured a goal. A draw and two defeats never looked so good.
We presaged the bottom of the table from the outset, noting
of course that Tokelo Rantie would provide us with some memorable moments of
magic. He didn’t disappoint. Neither did the unconventional style of intrepid
head coach Ephraim Mashaba. Three different formations. Three unique-looking
midfields. Three separate young goalkeepers, all of whom had a paltry five
international caps or less.
Mashaba clearly used the tournament as an important
experimental round in his ongoing rebuilding process. The future looks bright
indeed for Bafana. If Majoro and Khumalo can rediscover their form. If
Tshabalala can mount a late comeback. If Steven Pienaar (and this is the BIG
“if) can be coaxed out of retirement…..oh they might prove dangerous in the
years to come.
Regardless, it’s going to be a blast watching Tokelo Rantie
in the Premiership next season. Oh yes. They’re coming. Get ready for the
Cherries!
14th
Place—Cameroon
In the end, Volker Finke’s new-look Lions could only achieve
similarly inadequate results. Oh well. At least “Les Indomitables” avoided a
cataclysmic fiasco. Fans of the West African Powerhouse can once again hold
their heads high. Embarrassment averted. Why not revel in that?
Let’s talk future. One can easily divine Finke’s intent in
assigning Chupo-Moting and Mbia defensive midfield roles. Giving Aboubakar and
Salli the opportunity to hone their own brand of on-pitch leadership was more
important. Though the ploy didn’t necessarily yield immediate dividends, it
could pay off should Africa’s most successful World Cup Team qualify in three
years. Such a long-term strategy
doesn’t directly benefit Finke, who will likely be on his merry way soon
enough. He leaves his mark for posterity’s sake, and we may all find ourselves
grateful in good time.
This bookie is certainly glad he didn’t buy in after that
second round draw. The weaknesses of this team were legion. Plenty to build on,
though. Aboubakar and Salli merit closer inspection in the years to come.
13th
Place—Zambia
Of course they weren’t going to be able to knick it without
Emannuel Mayuka! That elegant yet insipid piece of acrobatics sealed the
Chipolopolo fate. Surely he wishes he could have that one back. Twenty-year-old
Evans Kanga and nineteen-year-old tyro Lubambo Musonda moved up to back up
Rainford Kalaba, forced into the emergency lead striker role. Thrust into the
fray at such tender ages, they played about as well as one might expect….good,
but nowhere near good enough.
Mayuka’s year is only beginning. Premiership fans will
remain laser-focused on him as the Southampton Saints continue their historic
run at the EPL Top four. Insofar as the Copper Bullets are concerned, however,
it’s over for the foreseeable future. As solid a tournament as Rainford Kalaba
and Given Singaluma had, they’re both approaching their respective thirtieth
birthdays and both playing hard physical football in the demanding Congo DR
domestic league.
Should Honor Janza stay on, his priority task will be
rebuilding a stable back four capable of some intuitive trust. Your friendly
bookie noted the travails of the Zambian defensive unit in his previous
installment. Keeper Kennedy Mweenie can conceivably carry a tepid offense back
to qualification in 2017, provided he has some support from his last line.
Mweenie is now 30, but that’s wholly irrelevant as pertains to his position.
Hope to see him, and this irresistibly fun team to analyze,
back in two years time.
12th
Place—Cape Verde
A nil-nil draw just wasn’t good enough for the re-branded
“Minnows”, who admittedly find themselves excluded from the Knockouts on a
hard-luck 3rd Tiebreaker. Much can be made of the fact that they
never lost…but they didn’t win either!! Sorry lads. The advancing Congolese may
have also only achieved three draws via two goals…but you only tallied ONE.
When one thinks about, this particular tiebreaker can’t be classified as “hard
luck” at all.
Carlos Lima (or Calú) came crashing back down to earth with
poor positioning and even poorer heading. Carlitos couldn’t find his footing
the rain. Surprise starting center-forward Garry Rodrguez was miles away from
accurate with both his delivery and goal-bound efforts. Absolutely nothing from
Heldon Ramos (Nhuck), Ryan Mendes, or Toni Varela all night long. Djaniny and
Kuca evidently didn’t get the memo that substitutes are ideally supposed to
INCREASE player pace and overall tempo. The absence of Babanco (for reasons
unknown to this bookie) loomed large.
Plenty of praise is in order for fullbacks like Stopira and
de Barros (Gegé). Together they engineered what was easily one of the best
defensive performances this bookie has seen in any tournament.
….
….
Someone still has to score goals, however. Someone. ANYONE!!
11th
Place—Gabon
The Panthers have only themselves to blame for squandering
away their ticket to the Knockouts after a downright sloppy match against the
hosts. We saw practically nothing from either Malik Evouna or Pierre-Emmerick
Aubameyang in that flaccid final 90. Both would appear to have their minds
already re-focused on completing their club campaigns. Despite all of the hype
surrounding Jorge Costa’s plethora of striking options, Lengoualama and Rogombe
turned out to be total duds.
Biyogo-Poko, Mahinda, and Frederic Bulot all failed to click
in what appeared a rather makeshift formation hastily designed to account for
the curious non-start of N’Dong. Bulot played too far up, Mahinda too far back.
Kanga didn’t seem to know where to go. Terrible game turned in by the two
fullbacks, both of whom were booked for clumsy challenges. Llyod Palun’s
blundering take-down in the 51st gave the game away.
In the end they exited with a whimper, Aubameyang fulfilling
an early prophesy of this book by trying to do way too much in possession. Fare
thee well, boys. The core remains young enough to keep this country afloat in
Africa for years to come. See you cats in 2017.
10th
Place—Senegal
As augured all the way back at the beginning, the Senegalese
back line were entirely too slow to mark and clear effectively. Defensive
breakdowns would negate the wicked attacking promise of Premiership stars
Papiss Cisse, Mame Biram Diouf, and Sadio Mane. Your friendly bookie has been
fully vindicated…or not ; )
Cisse saw his first action as a 54th minute
substitute in the Algeria match. Mane’s name was called perhaps twice
throughout the group stage. The much-maligned Kara Mbodj produced a memorable
goal. Pape Soure not only hustled throughout, he also put in a heroic effort
coming off the bench injured to deputize for the hurt Chiek M’Bengue. So much
for my theories. Even if they were right in a general sense, I got all of the
actors wrong.
Dame N’Doye and M.B. Diouf proved a joy to watch. Moussa Sow
needs to get out of the Turkish League and into a Confederation I have time to
watch immediately.
C’mon back “Lions of Teranga”! Let’s please not go another
twelve years without seeing one another again!
9th
Place—Mali
Down they go on LOTS! Oh, what shitty luck. Another mammoth
effort from the defensive unit of “Les Aigles” and they miss out on the
Knockouts thanks to an inadvertent handball and an unfortunate draw of the
short straw. Ouch. I feel their pain. So does my wallet. ; ( ; (
Credulous lineup selected by the Pollack. Ferocious pitch
presence from Yatabare.
A beast of a game from Diaby and Sako in relief. Textbook header from Maiga. What went wrong? Sometimes it’s just not your day. Had one single solitary thing broken their way, we’d be heralding our Desert Eagles and proclaiming “FUCK ANSAR DINE—ALL THE WAY” all over again.
Twasn’t to be this year. So it goes in life sometimes.
Deserving winners end up losers. Them’s the breaks. ; (
Who’s ready to rock some lines? Gear up, brothers.
Saturday
Congo
NDR vs. Congo DR
vs. 
Start your day with the historic “Congolese Derby”. It’s a
gigantic “fuck you” to the mortal remains of King Leopold (may he forever rot
in hell). Two very good teams look set to give us quite the show.
Kidiaba always comes through like a champ. Bolassie appears
fit and Mulumbu might make it back as well. Should he be unable to put in an
appearance, Mbokani, Mabwati, Mubele, or Makaidi can step it up…or so augurs your
friendly bookie.
The “Other Congo” shouldn’t be taken lightly. Les “Diables
Rouges Africain” have catapulted their way to the top of our inter-round
rankings thanks to the hard play of badass strikers like Thievy Bifouma and
Ferebory Dore. They dispatched the favored Burkinabés with ease.
A tight match is projected. Extra time and Penalty Shootout
Odds must be listed as “Straight Up”.
Projected
Lineups:
“The
Red Devils of Africa”—(4-4-2)
Thievy Bifouma Ferebory
Doré
|
Delvin N’Dinga Arnold Bouka Moutou
|
Prince Oniangue Cesaire
Gandze
|
Dimitri Bissiki Marvin Baudry
|
Francis N’Ganga Boris
Moubhibo
|
Christoffer Mafoubi
|
“The
Leopards”—(4-5-1)
Yannick Bolasie
|
Dieumerci Mbokani Cedric Mabwati
|
F.N. Mubele Cedric Makaidi Lema Mabidi
|
Jean Kasusula Issama Mpeko
|
Cedric Mongongu Joel Kimwaki
|
Robert Kidiaba
|
THE
LINE: Congo DR +1 Goal
Prop Bets (as always, feel free to offer your own)
Over/Under—4 Goals
120 Minutes—Straight Up
Penalty Shootout—Straight Up
Equatorial
Guinea vs. Tunisia
vs. 
The underdog hosts made it through, just as your friendly
bookie predicted. What a pity he couldn’t cash in on those initial group
projections. Goddamn Stallions. ; (
A less meticulous man would be impressed by the 2-0 victory
against Gabon in the Final Group Stage Match. Take a few seconds to scroll
upwards if you care to see why this bookie isn’t even remotely dazzled.
The E.G. Centerbacks will be rail split by Akaichi and
Mskani. This one might get bloody ugly.
Projected
Lineups:
“The
National Thunder”—(4-4-2)
Emilio Nsue
Javier Balboa
|
R. Fabiani
Iban
|
Kike Zarandona
|
Sipo Randy
|
Rui Diosdado
Mbele
|
Felipe Ovono
|
“The
Eagles of Carthage”—(4-3-3)
Youssef Mskani Ahmed
Akaichi
|
Yassine Chickhaoui
|
M. Ali Manser Wahbi
Khazri
|
Hocine Ragued
|
A. Maaloul A. Abdennour S.B. Youssef H. Mathlouthi
|
A. Matholouthi
|
THE
LINE: Tunisia +2 Goals
Prop Bets (as always, feel free to offer your own)
Over/Under—3 Goals
120 Minutes—2 to 1
Penalty Shootout—3 to 1
Sunday
Cote
d’Ivoire vs. Algeria
vs. 
Clash of the Titans! This Sportsbook overflows with praise
for Slimani, Feghouli, Brahimi, and Lacen. Gourcuff’s version of the Desert
Foxes is the best since the 1990 Championship Squad. How will they fare against
the hungry Elephants with a returning Gervinho?
Tough call. Here’s how your Syndicate opts to crack the
tough nut:
Bony and Kalou work in a few chances well wide of the net.
They don’t net a goal, but manage to tire out the centerbacks. Yaya Toure
feeds, but doesn’t tire himself out too much. Bougherra and Medjani wear down
over the course of 90+ minutes. Gourcuff then subs in Halliche, who nervously
makes an uncharacteristic error. That mistake enables Kolo Toure to execute a
square switch to his brother. Yaya blindly laces a punt forward that Gervinho
latches onto. Gervinho locates fellow substitute Seydou Doumbia with an
inviting cross and its 1-0 in the 95th.
Shortly thereafter, Serge Aurier charges up the flanks and
swings a perfect arc in for Cheick Tiote for the 2-0 lead in the 102nd.
Everyone got that?
Hehe. If only predicting these games could be as much fun as
watching them : )
Check your Prop Bets Odds, Syndicate Members. Just such an
occurrence has been massaged into the numbers.
Projected
Lineups:
“Les
Elephants”—(4-4-2)
Wilfred
Bony Soloman Kalou
|
Gervinho Max Gradel
|
Yaya Toure
|
Cheick Tiote
|
S. Tiene W. Kanon K. Toure S. Aurier
|
Sylvain
Gbohouo
|
“The
Desert Foxes”—(4-4-2)
Islam
Slimani El Arbi Soudani
|
Riyad Mahrez Sofiane Feghouli
|
Yacine Brahimi Mehdi Lacen
|
Faouzi
Ghoulam Aissa Mandi
|
Majid Bougherra Carl Medjani
|
Rais M’Bohli
|
THE
LINE: Cote d’Ivoire +2 Goals
Prop Bets (as always, feel free to offer your own)
Over/Under—2 Goals
120 Minutes—Straight Up
Penalty Shootout—3 to 1
Ghana
vs. Guinea
vs. 
With all due respect to Ibrahima Traore, a team that snuck
through on lots can’t hope to make it past such a talented lineup. Cannot
envision this one happening. The Ayew Brothers can close Traore down. Should
they fail, Atsu will hold his own in a toe-to-toe matchup.
Conte and Constant can count themselves lucky ducks for
their penalties. Avram Grant will pick the right eleven. Agyemang-Badu will
direct traffic efficiently. The Black Stars will cruise right on through to the
final four. Prospects will be re-evaluated after this romp.
Projected
Lineups:
“The
Black Stars”—(4-2-3-1)
Asamoah Gyan
|
Andre
Ayew Jordan Ayew
|
Christian Atsu
|
W. Mubarak E. Agyemang-Badu
|
B. Rahman D. Amartey J. Mensah H. Afful
|
Brimah Razak
|
“The
National Elephants”—(4-2-3-1)
Moustapha
Yatabare
|
Mohammed Yattara Abdoul Camara
|
Ibrahima
Traore
|
Ibrahima Conte Kevin Constant
|
I. Sylla F. Pogba F. Camara A. Cisse
|
Naby Yattara
|
THE
LINE: Ghana +2 Goals
Prop Bets (as always, feel free to offer your own)
Over/Under—4 Goals
120 Minutes—2 to 1
Penalty Shootout—3 to 1
GENTLEMEN,
ENTER YOUR WAGERS
