There's a lot going on in the world of sports. Basta with Tom Brady's #%^%^@% boot! This is what passes for sports "news" now?

Bah. 

Not too many people are talking or writing about (myself included. Spank me) the 2008 African Nations Cup which is currently under way. For you information buffs out there, the ANC as a continental tournament is actually older than the Euro (formerly known as the European Championships) by three years holding its first tournament in 1957.

The 2008 edition of the tournament is made up of three groups and four teams in each.

Group A

Morrocco, Ghana, Namibia, Guineau

Group B

Ivory Coast, Mali, Benin, Nigeria

Group C

Zambia, Egypt, Cameroon, Sudan

As defending champion, Egypt is naturally a pre-tournament favorite. However, there are other premier African sides - Notably the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Ghana. Historically at the ANC, Egypt has led all African nations with five titles followed by Cameroon and Ghana with four each.

By now, a few of the countries mentioned and many of its players are well known to soccer fans; especially in Europe where most of them find employment. The list of players include:

 Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast; Chelsea), Stephen Appiah (Ghana; Fenebache), Michael Essien (Ghana; Chelsea), Asamoah yan (Ghana; Udinese), Abdul Kader Keita (Ivory Coast; Lyon), Christian Manfredini (Ivory Coast; Lazio), Emmanual Eboue (Ivory Coast; Arsenal), Marc Zoro (Ivory Coast; Benfica), Frederic Kanoute (Mali; Sevilla), Mahamadou Diarra (Mali; Real Madrid), Stephen Makinwa (Nigeria; Lazio), Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria; Portsmouth), Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast; Barcelona), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon; Barcelona), Obafemi Martins (Nigeria; Newcastle United).

Despite FIFA’s dream of having a major tournament for every continent, the theory of this happening often takes a back seat to some realities. For its part, the ANC is not without its problems. Its biggest issue is access to its own players who play for clubs in Europe. European teams are reluctant to let their players go and play in the ANC. Naturally, this has been a source of contention between European clubs and African national teams. FIFA President Sepp Blatter – never one to offer bright solutions – suggested the tournament be held in June and July commencing in 2016. The only problem with this is that for many African countries this is the wet season. Aside from the fact that Africa needs the water, how is this possibly a solution for the ANC? Worse, June and July coincide with, you guessed it, the World Cup and Euro.

Basically, FIFA’s ideas actually devour like Jaglava ants the ANC’s potential at any true stable success.

It could be worse, up until 1982 the “Two-overseas-rule” prevented African national teams from calling up more than two players playing abroad.

Africa has slowly moved forward but the ANC will face these problems for the foreseeable future.

Advice? Just watch and/or read about the ANC and enjoy.

Some Facts:

ELO Rankings for selected African sides:

17) Ivory Coast

23) Ghana

32) Egypt

34) Nigeria

FIFA Rankings:

19) Nigeria

25) Cameroon

35) Egypt

38) Ivory Coast

43) Ghana

Interesting fact: Ghana beat the Ivory Coast (following a 0-0 score aet) 11-10 in shoot-out in 1992. It remains the most goals scored in a shootout in international play.

Enjoy the highlights of the match between African titans the Ivory Coast and Nigeria. Particularly Kalou's goal for the Coast.