Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) - Discussion Thread

[Firebat]

Hoping for a Nigeria vs Egypt final, would be a fantastic game. The Ivory Coast are also a great team, wouldn't mind seeing them there either.

 

[MenInG]

Africa Cup of Nations giant-killers Comoros face a goalkeeping crisis before the biggest game in the country’s history on Monday.

The tournament debutants play hosts and five-time champions Cameroon in Yaounde on Monday, but their camp has been hit by 12 positive Covid cases including coach Amir Abdou.

Seven players have been affected, including the two remaining fit keepers in the squad, Moyadh Ousseini and Ali Ahamada, with first-choice Salim Ben Boina out through injury.

“We will do everything in our power to find a solution,” said general manager El Hadad Himidi.

Himidi added: “It’s the coach and the only fit goalkeepers, so the situation is really complicated.”

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) ruled before the tournament that teams affected by Covid must play matches even if they have no recognised goalkeeper in their squad.

"A team will be required to play a match if they have a minimum of 11 players available who have tested negative,” stated Caf.

“In the event of the absence of a goalkeeper, another player from the team must replace the goalkeeper, provided the total number of available players is at least 11.

"In exceptional cases, the Organizing Committee of the Africa Cup of Nations will take the appropriate decision."

Comoros will hope the injury suffered by Ben Boina could be considered an exceptional case, given the keeper had to leave the field after a red-card challenge by Ghana captain Andre Ayew in Tuesday's Group C tie.

The islanders shocked the four-time champions, winning 3-2 to eliminate the Black Stars and take them into the last 16 as one of the four best third-placed sides.

Comoros' game with Cameroon will be shown live on BBC Sport on Monday.

The absence of coach Abdou will be a major loss to the side as he is the driving force and inspiration behind their success, having engineered a wholesale overhaul in the minnows’ fortunes since taking charge in 2014.

Standing in their way of a surprise run to the quarter-finals are African heavyweights Cameroon, who have been in good form so far, with captain Vincent Aboubakar boasting five goals from the three group games.

BBC

 

[James]

<b>Burkina Faso beat 10-man Gabon on penalties to reach the quarter-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon following a 1-1 draw.</b>

Ismahila Ouedraogo netted to give the Stallions a 7-6 win in the shoot-out.

Gabon had Sidney Obissa sent off midway through the second half but grabbed an injury-time equaliser when Bruno Ecuele Manga's header went in off Adama Guira.

Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore had missed a penalty before slotting in the opener in the 28th minute.

The Stallions will face either Nigeria or Tunisia, who meet on Sunday evening (19:00 GMT), in the quarter-finals on Saturday, 29 January.

A mammoth shoot-out had seen Herve Koffi save from Gabon midfielder Guelor Kanga and Saidou Simpore immediately send his his effort over the bar in the fourth round of penalties.

Abdoul Tapsoba had the chance to win it for Burkina Faso in sudden death after Yannis N'Gakoutou-Yapende had blazed over, but Jean-Noel Amonome denied him.

But substitute Ouedraogo kept his nerve after Gabon right-back Lloyd Palun rattled the crossbar

 

[Saj]

Tunisia upset 10-man Nigeria to set up a quarter-final tie against Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Youssef Msakni beat Super Eagles keeper Maduka Okoye with a long-range effort two minutes into the second half.

Nigeria's task was made harder when Alex Iwobi was sent off following a video assistant referee review.

The West Africans were the only side to win all three group games in Cameroon, but were largely subdued against a Tunisia side hit by Covid-19.

Nigeria forward Umar Sadiq fired across goal and wide in injury time after Moses Simon had earlier had an effort blocked by Bechir Ben Said.

Tunisia, Nations Cup winners in 2004, will face Burkina Faso in the last eight on Saturday, 29 January.

 

[MenInG]

Comoros goalkeeper Ali Ahamada will not be able to play their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 tie against Cameroon on Monday despite testing negative for Covid-19 on the morning of the game.

A media officer from organiser the Confederation of African Football (Caf) told BBC Sport Africa that the 30-year-old had not fulfilled its protocols.

The Indian Ocean islanders are now set to play without a recognised keeper.

Salim Ben Boina (shoulder) and Moyadh Ousseini (Covid-19) are also out.

Ahamada and midfielder Yacine Bourhane, who also tested negative on Monday morning, had hoped to rejoin the Comoros squad for the game against the Indomitable Lions.

But Caf rules state a player who tests positive for coronavirus must isolate for five days before taking another PCR test 48 hours before his side's next match.

The Comoros football federation (FFC) said Ahamada and Ousseini were among several players and management affected by a coronavirus outbreak on Saturday.

Tournament rules state sides must play if they have 11 fit players, even if no recognised goalkeeper is available, and the Coelacanthes will be forced to name an outfield player in goal against Cameroon.

Debutants Comoros, ranked 132nd in the world, face the five-time Nations Cup winners at 19:00 GMT and the game will be shown live in the UK on the BBC Sport website, iPlayer and Red Button.

Comoros were hopeful that Ahamada and Bourhane would be available to return and face the Indomitable Lions, with team manager El Hadad Himini confirming the pair were "undergoing various tests" to return to action.

"If the tests go well, we will await the findings of the medical commission to see if they can play or not," Himini said in a statement posted on Twitter earlier on Monday.

"We hope they will grant us our rights, just as they did with the other teams. We are waiting now and we hope everything will be better for us."

Defenders Kassim Abdallah and Alexis Souahy, midfielder Nakibou Aboubakari, forward Mohamed M'Changama and coach Amir Abdou also tested positive, with Abdou set to be missing from the dugout.

Comoros are playing at the Nations Cup for the first time in their history and reached the knockout stages after beating Ghana 3-2 and finishing third in Group C.

Both Ahamada and Bourhane featured in the win over the Black Stars.

BBC

 

[Maher96]

One for Afcon Debutants The Gambia booked their place in the quarter-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations as Musa Barrow's goal gave them a famous 1-0 victory over Guinea.

Bologna forward Barrow collected a pass and slotted past Aly Keita from the centre of the box in the 71st minute.

Defender Ibrahima Conte had an equaliser ruled out for offside before The Gambia's Yusupha Njie was sent off.

Guinea struck the post in injury time before another shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Baboucarr Gaye.

It was a stunning save by Gaye to keep out the powerful strike by Jose Kante, which came immediately after Conte had rattled the left-hand upright from a narrow angle.

Even then, Guinea forward Morgan Guilavogui latched onto the rebound off the bar and had his follow-up attempt blocked by Pa Modou Jagne.

Kante headed over from the resulting corner and the Scorpions, the lowest-ranked side at the tournament, held on to win as Guinea centre-back Conte was also dismissed in injury time for a second booking.

The Gambia, who are 150th in the world, will now face either hosts Cameroon or fellow debutants Comoros in the last eight on Saturday.

 

[Saj]

Cameroon narrowly beat 10-man Comoros in the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations, despite playing against a side with an outfield player in goal.

Goals from Karl Toko Ekambi and Vincent Aboubakar gave the Indomitable Lions a 2-1 win after Nadjim Abdou's early red.

But Comoros will take the headlines after giving the hosts a massive scare.

Youssouf M'Changama scored a stunning free-kick and Chaker Alhadhur, normally a left-back, produced a brilliant performance as stand-in goalkeeper.

Cameroon progress to face The Gambia in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

 

[Saj]

BREAKING | At least 6 people have died in a stampede this evening outside the stadium of the game between Cameroon and Comoros.

 

[MenInG]

BREAKING | At least 6 people have died in a stampede this evening outside the stadium of the game between Cameroon and Comoros.

some more details:

At least eight people are reported to have been killed and dozens hurt in a crush outside an Africa Cup of Nations match in Cameroon.

Video footage showed football fans struggling to get access to the Paul Biya stadium in a neighbourhood of the capital Yaounde.

One child is among the dead, according to a health ministry report obtained by the AFP news agency.

Another report said a number of children had lost consciousness.

The stadium has a capacity of 60,000 but because of Covid restrictions it was not meant to be more than 80% full.

Match officials were quoted as saying that some 50,000 people were trying to attend.

Journalist Leocadia Bongben was at the game. She told the BBC's Newsday programme that she saw commotion coming from one of the "fan zone" areas outside the stadium.

"People started shouting. A minute after that an ambulance came to the stadium, but when we got to the place the police would not allow us to get close to where the stampede was," she said.

She had received a list of eight people who lost their lives, she said.

"It's really quite a sad situation that people go to watch a game and they end up dying there."

Nick Cavell, a producer for BBC Africa, was at the match and said that news of the crush did not seem to filter through to the crowd until there were reports on social media.

Lots of discarded shoes and other debris was strewn around the entrance of the stadium, he said.

Nurse Olinga Prudence told AP that some of the injured were in a "desperate condition".

The Confederation of African Football, CAF said in a statement that it is "currently investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what transpired".

The last 16 match between Cameroon and Comoros took place despite the incident and ended with a 2-1 win for the hosts.

bbc

 

[MenInG]

Debutants The Gambia booked their place in the quarter-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations as Musa Barrow's goal gave them a famous 1-0 victory over Guinea.

Bologna forward Barrow collected a pass and slotted past Aly Keita from the centre of the box in the 71st minute.

Defender Ibrahima Conte had an equaliser ruled out for offside before The Gambia's Yusupha Njie was sent off.

Guinea struck the post in injury time before another shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Baboucarr Gaye.

It was a stunning save by Gaye to keep out the powerful strike by Jose Kante, which came immediately after Conte had rattled the left-hand upright from a narrow angle.

Even then, Guinea forward Morgan Guilavogui latched onto the rebound off the bar and had his follow-up attempt blocked by Pa Modou Jagne.

Kante headed over from the resulting corner and the Scorpions, the lowest-ranked side at the tournament, held on to win as Guinea centre-back Conte was also dismissed in injury time for a second booking.

The Gambia, who are 150th in the world, will now face Cameroon in the last eight on Saturday after the hosts saw off Comoros 2-1.

The Gambia went unbeaten through the group stage, beating Mauritania and 2004 champions Tunisia, and Tom Saintfiet's side pulled off another giant-killing in Bafoussam.

They had few clear-cut openings, with their best chance in the first half coming when Barrow stung the palms of Keita with a long-range strike.

The Scorpions were at times careless in possession, gifting Mohamed Bayo a sight at goal just after the half-hour mark, but the striker had his shot blocked by James Gomez before Gaye smothered Bayo's follow-up.

In the second half, defender Omar Colley denied Guinea midfielder Ilaix Moriba with a well-timed challenge shortly after Kante had sent a header over.

Yusupha Bobb set up the winner with a fine pass to Barrow, but the debutants survived a nervy and frantic finale after substitute Njie was sent off with three minutes left following two harsh cautions.

The Gambia's lowly position in the world rankings is underlined by the fact they began their Nations Cup qualifying campaign in the preliminary round, where they needed penalties to beat Djibouti back in October 2019.

But the Scorpions showed steely determination to extend their run in Cameroon with another historic result.


BBC

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/least-six-killed-cameroon-stadium-stampede-says-state-broadcaster-2022-01-24/

At least eight people died and 38 were injured when fans stormed a soccer stadium hosting an Africa Cup of Nations match in Cameroon's capital on Monday, the government said.

Images shared on social media, which Reuters could not immediately authenticate, showed a panicked crowd trying to squeeze through a narrow entrance gate at the newly built Olembe stadium in Yaounde that was hosting a round of 16 game between Cameroon and Comoros.

One video showed dozens of fans scrambling over the stadium fence as a police officer walked by.

The stampede comes as a heavy blow for the tournament, which had grown in excitement on the pitch in recent days thanks to some match upsets but which was under scrutiny for a lack of readiness beforehand.

COVID-19 and insecurity caused by a separatist insurgency also complicated preparations.

Work on the 60,000-seat Olembe Stadium continued right up to the start of Africa's top soccer tournament, prompting the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the continent's soccer governing body, to hold an emergency meeting to discuss cancelling the competition altogether.

"CAF is currently investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what transpired. We are in constant communication with Cameroon government and the Local Organising Committee," it said in a statement.

High school teacher Vanessa Tchouanzi had come to see the match on Monday. She was barely able to get her words out as she recounted her experience over the phone to Reuters.

Tchouanzi tried to enter the stadium with a friend, but said that gate attendees were too overwhelmed by the mass of people to check tickets.

As fans rushed the entrance, Tchouanzi and her friend were knocked to the ground. A bystander helped Tchouanzi escape, but her friend was trampled to death, she said.

"She couldn't take the shock, the weight of all those people," Tchouanzi said through a flood of tears.

The government did not give any information on the cause of the crush or whether fans were allowed into the stadium without tickets. It is not clear why the match went ahead after the disaster.

Following a low turnout in the first round games at brand new stadiums, Cameroon authorities have thrown open stadium gates, organised mass transport and given out free tickets to lure fans.

Cameroon beat 10-man Comoros Islands 2-1 to advance to the quarter-finals.

 

[Saj]

Sadio Mane scored as Senegal beat nine-man Cape Verde 2-0 in the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Mane curled in off the underside of the crossbar soon after keeper Vozinha had been dismissed following a nasty clash of heads with the Liverpool forward.

Mane, appearing concussed, was led off before the game restarted and Bamba Dieng added the second in injury time.

Cape Verde midfielder Patrick Andrade had been shown a straight red card midway through the first half.

The match in Bafoussam was preceded by a minute's silence for the victims of the crush at the Olembe Stadium on Monday.

Senegal will face either Mali or Equatorial Guinea in the last eight on Sunday.

 

[Saj]

This guy Achraf Hakimi for Morocco is an outstanding talent.

What a player.

 

[topspin]

This guy Achraf Hakimi for Morocco is an outstanding talent.

What a player.

Best full back in the world.

 

[Saj]

Best full back in the world.

Amazing footballer.

TTA is brilliant at Liverpool too but Hakimi seems to be even better than him.

 

[Saj]

Morocco are through to the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations after a 2-1 victory over stubborn Malawi at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.

Gabadinho Mhangho put Malawi into an early lead with an exceptional strike, but goals from Youssef En-Nesyri and Achraf Hakimi gave the Atlas Lions the win.

A well-observed silence was held before kick-off in memory of those killed at Yaounde's Olembe Stadium on Monday night.

The players wore black armbands and messages of condolence were displayed on the advertising hoardings.

Morocco were the clear favourites for the match, but it was Malawi who took the lead in only the 7th minute with Mhangho's outstanding goal.

The Orlando Pirates star, who was closer to halfway than to goal, spotted Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou off his line and struck a powerful shot into the top corner.

A back-pedalling Bounou, returning to the line-up after sitting out Morocco's last group game, got a hand to it but could not prevent a memorable goal.

Mhangho had an excellent chance to extend the Flames' lead after 24 minutes when he broke clear and shot just wide as the keeper narrowed the angle.

Despite Mhangho's efforts, it was Morocco who totally dominated possession.

Sofiane Boufal and Youssef En-Nesyri both went close and Romain Saiss struck the bar from close range.

Charles Thom in the Malawi goal was in excellent form, making a series of fine saves to deny Achraf Hakimi and others.

But Thom wasn't able to keep out En-Nesyri's powerful header in stoppage time at the end of the first half to make it 1-1 at half-time.

Morocco maintained their dominance at the start of the second half but again failed to press home the advantage.

The Atlas Lions felt they should have had a penalty when the ball struck the trailing hand of Malawi defender Dennis Chembezi, but after a VAR check their appeals were waved away.

Moments later they finally had the lead when Paris Saint Germain's Hakimi struck a brilliant free-kick, curled over the wall and into the near top corner.

It was no more than Morocco deserved and they will feel the margin of victory should have been much wider.

Malawi qualified for the last 16 as one of the best-performing third-placed teams and were playing their first ever game of knock-out football at a Nations Cup finals.

Despite barely having 20 percent of possession they made sure that the North Africans could never relax and right to the end tried to hit Morocco on the break.

But it is the Atlas Lions who go through to play either Egypt or Ivory Coast in the quarter finals.

Those two continental giants face off in Douala on Wednesday.

 

[MenInG]

Senegal have been criticised after Sadio Mane continued playing despite suffering suspected concussion in a "sickening collision" with Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.

Mane remained on the pitch for several minutes despite appearing to sustain a head injury in the incident during Tuesday's Africa Cup of Nations match .

The Liverpool striker scored before eventually being substituted.

Brain injury association Headway said Mane's health had been put at risk.

"On the face of it, this seems to be yet another example of football putting results ahead of player safety," said Luke Griggs, deputy chief executive of Headway.

"This was a sickening collision that clearly left both players in enough distress for a concussion to have surely been considered a possibility at the very least. At that point, the principle of 'if in doubt, sit it out!' should have resulted in Mane being substituted without another ball being kicked."

Vozinha was sent off for the challenge with Mane and had to be helped off the pitch while visibly unsteady on his feet.

Mane, however, remained on the pitch, despite seeming to lose consciousness in the incident. Six minutes later, he scored an excellent goal for Senegal, before laying down on the halfway line.

It was only then that he was substituted.

"The image of the player collapsing on the ground and having to be helped from the pitch after scoring his goal should tell you everything you need to know about the impact and the effect it had had on his brain," added Griggs.

"Yet again, the desire to win is seen as being worth serious risks to players' health. It is simply shocking that this continues to happen.

"This is now a real test of leadership for The Confederation of African Football (Caf) and world governing body Fifa - particularly if Senegal declare Mane fit for Sunday's quarter final.

"If football wants to be taken seriously when it comes to concussion, it simply must take action to enforce and strengthen its protocols."

In a statement from the Senegal FA, team doctor Dr Abdourahmane Fedior said Mane had been "replaced due to the dizziness he had on the pitch" after scoring.

"After this we felt it was safer to bring him to the hospital for a scan which didn't reveal any brain injury or bone lesion. We left the hospital a few moments later and we went to the hotel. For now, he feels well.

"All the symptoms he had on the pitch disappeared. It needs to be followed closely though and we will see in two days how he feels.

"He needs to rest and come back to training step by step."

Liverpool's medical team will speak to their Senegal counterparts about Mane's condition, though it is normal to have regular contact with all international squads, particularly when a player goes off injured.

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly denied Mane's health had been put at risk by being allowed to continue playing.

"It wasn't risky at all. It's him who scored the goal after this," said the Napoli defender.

"When we saw after the goal he was a bit disoriented we preferred to replace him. I asked him if he wanted to leave the pitch and he said no, but we preferred to replace him to avoid taking any risk."

BBC

 

[Last Monetarist]

0-0 between Egypt and Côte d'Ivoire after 70 minutes in the quarter-final.

 

[PakLFC]

Allowing Mane to play on with a head injury was complete foolishness. He should pull out of the tournament, return home then see a proper doctor. Could have been a fatal mistake.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Mohammed Salah scores the winning/final penalty to send Egpyt through on Pens!

 

[MenInG]

Mohammed Salah scores the winning/final penalty to send Egpyt through on Pens!

 

[MenInG]

View attachment 114381

Egypt beat Ivory Coast 5-4 on penalties to reach the quarter-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon following a 0-0 draw.

The North Africans got the upper hand in the shoot-out when substitute keeper Gabaski saved Eric Bailly's effort in the third round of spot-kicks.

And Pharaohs captain Mohamed Salah netted the decisive penalty to send the record seven-time champions through.

Egypt will face Morocco in the last eight in Yaounde on Sunday (16:00 GMT).

The finale was somewhat harsh on Manchester United defender Bailly, who had performed superbly at the back while sporting a rugby scrum cap on his return from a head injury.

Yet he took a short run-up for his penalty and placed his effort too close to Gabaski, who dived to his right and stuck out his left hand to push the ball onto the bar.

The Zamalek keeper had come on right at the end of the second half after Mohamed El Shenawy picked up a leg injury, and may well start against Morocco depending on the extend of the injury suffered by Egypt's number one.

BBC

 

[Last Monetarist]

0-0 at half-time of the first quarter-final between Cameroon and Gambia. Been very tight, hope it doesn't go to penalties as some of the recent knockout matches.

 

[Saj]

Karl Toko Ekambi scored two second-half goals as hosts Cameroon beat The Gambia to move into the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Toko Ekambi headed his country ahead in the 50th minute, glancing in from Collins Fai's right-wing cross.

It became 2-0 seven minutes later with Toko Ekambi finishing at the back post following Martin Hongla's low delivery.

Cameroon will play either Egypt or Morocco in the semi-final on Thursday, with the final next Sunday.

The Gambia were competing in the tournament for the first time and beat Mauritania and Tunisia in the group phase to reach the knockout stages, before eliminating Guinea in the last 16.

But, in front of a passionate home crowd at Japoma Stadium in Douala, The Gambia were outclassed and could have fallen behind in the first half.

Fai fired into the side-netting from 30 yards before Vincent Aboubakar - the tournament's leading goalscorer with six - glanced a header just wide, and was then denied from another close-range header as goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye produced an excellent save.

However, The Gambia's resistance was broken early in the second half as Toko Ekambi rose above defender James Gomez to head five-time Afcon winners Cameroon into the lead with his fourth goal of the tournament.

His fifth came shortly afterwards, when he got on the end of Hongla's inviting cross.

 

[Saj]

Teenager Dango Ouattara scored the only goal and was sent off as Burkina Faso surprised Tunisia to reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

Ouattara, 19, ran onto Blati Toure's through-ball and held off two defenders and cut inside before firing in. But he was then sent off in the 82nd minute for an elbow on Ali Maaloul.

 

[Maher96]

Cameroon keep marching on.

What a story it would be if they win it on home soil.

 

[Robert]

I hoped The Gambia would go further but Cameroon are powerful.

 

[PakLFC]

I would be happy to see Mane's Senegal or Salah's Egypt win it. It will most likely be one off them.

 

[MenInG]

Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final: Egypt 0-1 Morocco

 

[MenInG]

FULL-TIME

Egypt 2-1 Morocco

Egypt move into the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations and will play Cameroon on Thursday.

 

[Saj]

Mohamed Salah scored one goal and set up the other as Egypt beat Morocco in extra time in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

Sofiane Boufal gave Morocco an early lead with a penalty after Ayman Ashraf caught Achraf Hakimi, a decision given by the video assistant referee.

But Salah tapped in an equaliser after Yassine Bounou parried a header and the game went to extra time.

Liverpool's Salah squared for Aston Villa's Trezeguet to tap in a winner.

Carlos Queiroz's side will face hosts Cameroon in Thursday's semi-final.

 

[Saj]

Senegal overcame Equatorial Guinea to set up an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Burkina Faso.

Ex-Bristol City forward Famara Diedhiou put Senegal ahead with a first-time strike following Sadio Mane's pass.

Equatorial Guinea were awarded a penalty before the decision was overturned, but then equalised soon after through Jannick Buyla's low shot.

But substitute Cheikhou Kouyate volleyed Senegal ahead, with Watford's Ismaila Sarr side-footing a late third.

 

[Maher96]

Could be a All liverpool final with Salah vs Mane.

Who will be the King Mo or Sadio?

 

[Saj]

Senegal are through to their third Africa Cup of Nations final with Sadio Mane on target to help them overcome Burkino Faso.

In an eventful game, VAR chalked off two Senegal penalties, with Burkina Faso goalkeeper Herve Koffi injured during the events of the first.

Abdou Diallo and Idrissa Gueye put Senegal in charge before Blati Toure narrowed the deficit late on.

But Mane chipped in to settle victory for the tournament favourites.

It was his 29th goal for his country, taking him level with Henri Camara at the top of their all-time scorer list.

Senegal will face Egypt or hosts Cameroon in Sunday's final (19:00 GMT).

Burkina Faso will take part in the third/fourth-place play-off, which has been brought forward a day to Saturday (also kicking off at 19:00).

 

[Saj]

Goalkeeper Gabaski was the hero, saving two penalties as Egypt edged past hosts Cameroon in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw to set up an Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal.

Sunday's final sets up a tantalising meeting between Liverpool forwards Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane at the same venue - the Olembe Stadium in Cameroon's capital Yaounde (kick-off 19:00 GMT).

Hosts Cameroon had shown more impetus in 90 minutes, twice hitting the post through Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui's looping header and Samuel Gouet's thunderous long-range strike, which flicked the woodwork.

Egypt's star man Salah was kept quiet for much of the game, curling a strike from outside the area narrowly over and almost profiting from a loose back pass, but he could not convert.

But he did not have to step up in the shootout as Cameroon missed three of their efforts, with Gabaski saving from Harold Moukoudi and James Lea Siliki, while Clinton N'Jie side-footed wide.

An ill-tempered ending to normal time had seen Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz sent off for remonstrating with the referee and his assistant Wael Gomaa cautioned too.

It means they will both be missing from the touchline for the final as Gomaa was also yellow carded in the quarter-final against Morocco.

Meanwhile, Cameroon will face Burkina Faso in the third/fourth-place play-off, which has been brought forward a day to Saturday (19:00 GMT).

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Senegal's to lose. Arguably their least important encounter in the next few months

 

[Maher96]

So its happend what everyone kind of wanted.


Salah vs Mane, all LFC final.

Good to see Egypt in the final as well.

 

[James]

Senegal-Egypt is a great outcome for the final.

Egypt to edge it 1-0 imo, Salah to score.

 

[Saj]

Should be a great final between 2 strong teams.

Senegal looked good in their semi-final.

 

[Saj]

Cameroon came from 3-0 down to level at 3-3 against Burkina Faso before winning a penalty shootout to finish third at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Burkinabe went 3-0 up through Steve Yago's poked finish, Andre Onana's own goal and Djibril Ouattara's header.

But roared on by the home supporters, Cameroon hit back via Stephane Bahoken and skipper Vincent Aboubakar, who netted twice in the last five minutes.

No extra time meant the match went to penalties with Ibrahim Toure missing.

It was a disappointing end for Burkina Faso, who looked in total control after 49 minutes, but five-time winners Cameroon responded in superb fashion before converting all five of their spot-kicks.

 

[Firebat]

So Egypt take on Senegal in the AFCON final in approximately 18 hours. Backing Mohamed Salah and Egypt to do the business.

 

[James]

<b>Match preview: AFCON final

Senegal v Egypt

DM: Liverpool team-mates become foes in AFCON final between Senegal and Egypt</b>

In a hugely important final featuring two Liverpool legends, Sadio Mane is about to find out whether Mo Salah's shadow stretches five thousand miles all the way from Anfield to Yaounde.

Sunday night's clash between Senegal and Egypt is the dream African Cup of Nations final many wanted because of the main protagonists.

'When two of the top players in the world are against each other for the biggest title in Africa it is exciting,' stated Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe.

Though national pride is at stake, Senegal have never won AFCON and Mane said before the tournament he'd swap the Champions League and Premier League prizes for glory with his country, there is surely a personal element for the 29-year-old as well.

Throughout all his success with Liverpool – he's scored 107 goals in five-and-a-half seasons and is the embodiment of Klopp's heavy metal press - he's always just been eclipsed by his brilliant team-mate Salah.

Klopp has praised Mane to the hills but never called him the world's best player as he has done with Salah. When Mane won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2019, he had to share it with the equally-prolific Egyptian, who is on course to win his third this season.

For a while, the rivalry threatened to spill over. There didn't seem to be much link-up play between them and Mane gestured his unhappiness at Salah not passing to him when he was substituted against Burnley.

It was testimony to Klopp's man-management skills that he didn't let the situation take hold of the dressing-room.

'These two boys are real warriors. They are constantly ready,' he said on Saturday, confirming that after Liverpool's own FA Cup tie against Cardiff, he will sit down and watch the AFCON final.

'When they won the Golden Boot together, it was a really nice moment. Now they are with their countries, they are the most important players and taking on the role.

'They are wearing the leadership hat and been impressive.'

Both Salah and Mane have reputations for being quiet but have risen to the occasion at AFCON of wearing the captain's armband and inspiring their team.

Mane has scored three times against Zimbabwe, Cape Verde and in the semi-final against Burkina Faso and is only one goal behind Henri Camara's national record.

Though Liverpool were perturbed by him facing Equatorial Guinea only four days after being knocked unconscious against Cape Verde, in Senegal it was viewed as how much Mane wants to serve his country.

Before AFCON, he made a promotional video in which he assured their fans: 'No matter what I have caught [won], I am still hungry. My people have waited a long time. I would trade all the trophies for this one.'

Ahead of Senegal's quarter-final, the country's Minister of Sport was meant to give an inspirational talk but stood aside when Mane delivered a rousing speech, a contrast to the shy figure when he joined Liverpool in 2016.

Senegal have the better all-round team with Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Napoli's Khalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye of PSG forming a formidable spine.

Yet Mane will still fear Salah stealing his thunder. Also skipper, the Egyptian King has delivered big moments at AFCON despite consistently being at his best.

His influence in the final is all the more important for manager Carlos Queiroz being banned from the touchline.

'Salah didn't impress me much - I say it because I'm an honest person,' said Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar whose team fought a goalless semi-final which Egypt won on penalties.

'He's a good player, scores a lot but doesn't produce a lot of stuff in the game. He's not at the level of some, like Kylian Mbappe.'

Even so, Salah has scored two vital goals in AFCON and set up Trezeguet's winner in a tight quarter-final against Morocco.

Like Mane, he is using his profile to help a nation. Arguably Salah's biggest success is appealing to the fans of fierce domestic rivals Al Ahly and Zamalek to unite and put their full support for The Pharaohs. Arguably, only he could have pulled it off.

It's likely the stadium in Yaounde will back Mane rather than Salah tonight. Egypt have won a record number of AFCON titles (7) and Cameroon on five don't want them getting further away.

There is also a significant Senegalese expat population in Cameroon. They will be desperate for Mane to take the spotlight away from his Liverpool colleague for once and make history.

For Klopp, watching on Merseyside, the hope will be there is no hangover. He'll need both of them fighting against Leicester City on Thursday when the Premier League resumes.

Salah and Mane have reputations for being quiet but have risen to the occasion of wearing captain's armbands and inspiring their teams.

Mane has scored three times — against Zimbabwe, Cape Verde and in the semi-final against Burkina Faso and is only one goal behind Henri Camara's national record.

Though Liverpool were perturbed by him facing Equatorial Guinea only four days after being knocked unconscious against Cape Verde, in Senegal it was viewed as an example of how much Mane wanted to serve his country.

Yet Mane will still fear Salah stealing his thunder. The Egyptian star has also delivered big moments at the AFCON - despite not consistently being at his best.

For Klopp, who will be watching on Merseyside, the hope will be there is no hangover when the duo return to the Premier League.

 

[MenInG]

Final in progress....

26 mins

Senegal 0-0 Egypt

 

[James]

Penalty — GREAT SAVE!

Sadio Mane hammers the penalty but Gabaski pulls off yet more penalty save heroics as he beats away the spot kick!

Gabaski saved two penalties in the semi final and he's done the business once again.

Senegal 0-0 Egypt

 

[James]

0-0 half time.

 

[LongHorn]

The penalty was funny, Salah whispered to the GK where he thinks Mane will hit it
Mane comes and try to outwit the keeper by pointing to where he will shoot it

In the end the GK saves the penalty

 

[Maher96]

Match gone into ET.

The longer the game continues, the more the tie tilts towards Egypt.

So many times this tournament they been this position.

 

[topspin]

I didn't expect Senegal to win on pens but they held their nerve.

 

[Saj]

That was a poor match with Senegal marginally the better side.

Two excellent defensive units made chances few and far between.

 

[Firebat]

Mane scores winning penalty as Senegal beat Salah's Egypt to secure first AFCON title

Sadio Mane netted the winning spot-kick as Senegal beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties to clinch their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations, after the final ended goalless following extra time.

The Liverpool forward had earlier seen a seventh-minute penalty saved by Pharaohs keeper Gabaski.

Chelsea's Edouard Mendy denied Mohanad Lasheen to give Mane the chance to win it in Yaounde's Olembe Stadium.

Gabaski had made three good saves from Senegal's Bamba Dieng in extra time.

All four of Egypt's knockout games at the tournament went the distance, and the North Africans had beaten Ivory Coast and hosts Cameroon on spot-kicks en route to the final.

Gabaski had already saved four penalties at the tournament by the time the match went to a shootout, but on this occasion the 33-year-old ended on the losing side.

Egypt were the first to err when centre-back Mohamed Abdelmonem saw his penalty hit the left-hand upright and bounce away - but Gabaski immediately denied Bouna Sarr.

However, Lasheen saw his effort saved and Mane won it with an emphatic finish into the bottom left-hand corner.

That meant his Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah did not even have the chance to take a penalty, with the Pharaohs captain set to go fifth for his side.

Senegal had previously lost two Nations Cup finals, finishing runners-up in 2002 and 2019.

Mane and the rest of the Teranga Lions squad will celebrate their victory, while Egypt will soon have a chance for revenge, with the two sides meeting again next month in a two-legged play-off for a spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60186276

 

[MenInG]

Sadio Mane says winning Senegal's first Africa Cup of Nations is the highlight of his career.

He scored the winning penalty in the shootout against Egypt, having seen a first-half spot-kick saved as Sunday's game ended 0-0 after extra time.

The West Africans had previously lost two Nations Cup finals, including a 1-0 defeat by Algeria three years ago.

"It's the best day of my life and the best trophy of my life," the 29-year-old Liverpool forward said.

"I won the Champions League and some [other] trophies but this is the special one for me. This is more important for me.

"I am happy for myself, my people and all of my family."

Mane had been given a chance to give Senegal an early lead in Cameroon after Saliou Ciss was brought down in the area by Mohamed Abdelmonem in the fourth minute.

However, he saw his attempt beaten away by Egypt keeper Gabaski.

Mane credits his team-mates with giving him the strength to return in the shootout, where he sealed a 4-2 triumph.

"When I missed the first penalty, it was a big blow for me," he said.

"But my team-mates came to me and said 'Sadio, we lose together and we win together. We know you. You have done too much for us - keep on going'.

"That made me stronger and I think it made the difference when I got the second one.

"All the boys came to me and said 'Sadio, we trust you' and that gave me more motivation. The trophy belongs to the whole Senegal team - everyone deserves it."

Mane was also named player of the tournament, and the morning after the final he posted a picture of himself in bed with the trophy and his winner's medal.

Gabaski's save from Mane in Yaounde was the fourth time the Senegalese had been foiled from 12 yards when playing at the Nations Cup.

Mane saw his effort saved in the quarter-final shootout defeat by Cameroon in 2017, and two years later he failed to convert in the group game against Kenya and the last-16 tie with Uganda - although he did score in both of those games.

Former Nigeria striker Daniel Amokachi, a Nations Cup winner in 1994, said Mane "showed a lot of character" to take a penalty again in the shootout against the Pharaohs.

"I wasn't feeling it when he stepped forward, but you can see how he drilled that ball into the corner," Amokachi told the BBC World Service.

"That's what a star player is all about. I did say that we've seen him miss chances when playing for Liverpool but the character that he puts into the game, the quality always comes through in the end."

Former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, a Nations Cup winner with Ivory Coast in 2015 after defeats on penalties in the 2006 and 2012 finals, praised Mane's "courage", while Efan Ekoku described Mane's eventual winner as "the biggest kick of his life".

"I'm so pleased for Sadio Mane," former Nigeria striker Ekoku said on BBC Three.

"He's been through a lot with his national side. He was brave, and what a penalty. The keeper was beaten by the accuracy just as much as the power."

Coach dedicates win to whole of Senegal

For Senegal coach Aliou Cisse, it was victory at the third attempt in the Nations Cup final.

The 45-year-old captained the Teranga Lions when they finished as runners-up in 2002 - missing the decisive penalty in the shootout against Cameroon - and was in the dugout in 2019.

He dedicated the victory to his countrymen before his post-match press conference was interrupted by his squad for celebrations.

"It was long, it was difficult, at times complicated but we never gave up," Cisse said.

"I think that really proves the mental strength of this generation. We are very happy, we dedicate this victory to the Senegalese people, because since independence until now we are running after this first star.

"Today, we will also have a star on our shirt."

Tens of thousands of jubilant Senegal fans took to the streets of Dakar to celebrate late into the night on Sunday, waving national flags, dancing and firing fireworks into the air, and Monday was declared a national holiday to mark the side's triumph in Cameroon.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

The Egyptian Football Association has sacked Ehab Galal as coach after just three games in charge of the national team.

Galal, 54, replaced Carlos Queiroz in April after the Pharaohs failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

But he was dismissed after a shock 2-0 defeat to Ethiopia in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and 4-1 friendly loss against South Korea.

EFA board member Hazem Emam said they will look to appoint a foreign coach.

Galal was appointed by Egypt after a season at Cairo-based Pyramids and previously managed several other club sides including Zamalek, El Masry, and Al Ahly Tripoli.

In his first match in charge in June, Egypt claimed a late 1-0 win over Guinea in a Nations Cup qualifier.

But the two losses - both missed by their captain and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah through injury - proved costly for Galal.

Emam said the EFA was "in talks with several foreign coaches" and will also bring in a technical director.

"I would like to thank coach Ehab Galal, a very respectful man, who has worked under some tough circumstances," he added. "I want to apologise to him, but sometimes the pressure is too much and we saw it would be better for everyone to change."

Queiroz, the former Portugal and Iran coach and assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, had led the record seven-time African champions to the final of the Nations Cup in February in Cameroon, where they were beaten on penalties by Senegal.

Egypt then lost to the same opposition - again in a spot-kick shootout - in Africa's play-offs for the World Cup in Qatar.

BBC

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Ghana has excluded Thomas Partey from their roster for the upcoming African Cup of Nations set to commence in the Ivory Coast on January 13.

Despite being initially included in Chris Hughton’s 55-player long list, the Arsenal midfielder, a regular for his nation over the past six years, has not sufficiently progressed in rehabilitating a longstanding thigh injury to participate in the tournament.

Explaining the omission of Partey, Hughton stated, “I've spent a significant amount of time with Thomas and Arsenal staff. They will approach this injury cautiously, and the player will do the same.

This is a significant injury for him, the most substantial he has experienced.” Partey encountered the issue during training ahead of Arsenal's October trip to Sevilla and has not yet returned to full training. Initially expected to return by early January, he has been sidelined since then.

The 30-year-old contributed to the first four games of the season, including the Community Shield, before a groin issue forced him out for a month. Partey made a brief 15-minute appearance in the 1-0 victory over Manchester City before his continued absence.

In his stead, Mikel Arteta has turned to summer signing Declan Rice to anchor the midfield, though the English international has experienced a dip in form recently.

With limited options for rotation, Jorginho is one alternative, but Mohamed Elneny, another choice, is unavailable for Arsenal as he is participating in AFCON with Egypt. More details about Partey's situation are expected to emerge later in the week when Arteta previews the FA Cup clash with Liverpool.

In other developments, Takehiro Tomiyasu has officially secured a place in Japan’s Asian Cup squad. The exact date of his departure is yet to be confirmed, as Arsenal aims to retain him until after the FA Cup tie with Liverpool on January 6th, with Japan's first game scheduled for January 14th.

As the transfer window opens, attention will be on whether Arsenal will be tempted to seek a midfielder.

Source : Africa News

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Premier League players that will play be part of Afcon in January.

Manchester City could have an advantage in the Premier League title race through January as their rivals face up to losing key players to the African Cup of Nations and Asia Cup.

As the Premier League emerges from a frantic set of festive fixtures with only six points separating the top five, managers will be busy drawing up contingency plans.

Some will likely deem it necessary to dip in to the transfer market to make up for the loss of some top performers.

But while Liverpool will lose Egyptian Mohamed Salah and Tottenham will have to make do without South Korea's Heung-Min Son, champions Manchester City will be unaffected.

City manager Pep Guardiola does not have a single player jetting off to either the Ivory Coast or Qatar for the continental tournaments that start on January 13 and January 12 respectively and run for almost a month.

Leaders Liverpool, who head Aston Villa by three points after their win over Newcastle on Monday, will wave goodbye to Salah who with 14 goals is the joint-top scorer in the Premier League this season, equal with Erling Haaland.

They will also be missing combative midfielder Wataru Endo who will join up with Japan.

Surprise title challengers Villa will only lose squad player Bertrand Traore to Burkina Faso but fourth-placed Arsenal will be harder hit with Mohamed Elneny (Egypt) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan) both heading off for an unspecified amount of time, depending on the progress of their nations.

Tottenham have been bedevilled by injuries in the last couple of months and now manager Ange Postecoglou will have to adapt to captain Son, who has scored 12 league goals, representing South Korea. The north Kondon club also lose midfielder Yves Bissouma to Mali while Pape Sarr, who was injured against Bournemouth on Sunday, is part of Senegal's squad.

Resurgent West Ham, who are in sixth place, will be hampered by the absence of key Ghana midfielder Mohammed Kudus.

Meanwhile, Manchester United's under-pressure manager Erik Ten Hag could do without losing Andre Onana (Cameroon) and Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco) as he tries to turn around what has been a dreadful season so far.

Teams yet to announce squads:AFCON (the final 27-player squads must be selected by Jan 3): The Gambia, Mali, Namibia and Tanzania

Asia Cup (the final 26-player squads must be selected by Jan 2): Bahrain, Iran, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Uzbekistan.

Source : Sky News

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Which teams have qualified for AFCON 2024? Full list of countries at Africa Cup of Nations 2023

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will kick off in the Ivory Coast on January 13, 2024 as Sadio Mane's Senegal aim to defend their title from two years ago.

The latest AFCON is officially the 2023 edition even though it is taking place this year. The finals were originally slated for the northern hemisphere's summer, but it was postponed to this month to avoid the rainy season in that region of Africa.

Senegal are among 15 teams to have won this tournament since its inception in 1957, but Ghana, Cameroon and Egypt are the only sides to have managed to retain their title throughout AFCON history.

A total of 24 nations will compete in this year's finals, with competitors split into six groups of four. Half of them have been African champions at least once in the past; only five have never gone beyond the group stage.

The majority of teams expected to qualify for this year's Africa Cup of Nations did secure their place at the tournament with the 16 highest FIFA-ranked African nations qualifying for the competition.

Gabon are the most notable absence (FIFA rank 86), with Tanzania (122) the lowest-ranked side to make it through, but none of the six preliminary-round qualifiers made it past the group stages.

No side won all of their group-stage matches in qualifying, with Ghana, Algeria and Senegal the only teams not to lose a qualifying match.


Group A: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau.

Group B: Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde, Mozambique.

Group C: Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, The Gambia.

Group D: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Angola.

Group E: Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, Namibia.

Group F: Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Mo Salah is the debate of the town ahead AFCON

https://twitter.com/x/status/1743237155294482592

 

[FearlessRoar]

Morocco are favourites to win Afcon – can they repeat World Cup heroics?

Morocco are heading to the Africa Cup of Nations with unprecedented expectation resting on their shoulders. The tournament, initially due to take place last summer but postponed by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) because of the rainy season in the host country, Ivory Coast, will be marked by the Atlas Lions trying to follow up a historic World Cup and add to a legacy that has eclipsed any other African nation.

Drawn in Group F along with Tanzania, DR Congo and Zambia, Morocco are heavy favourites for the tournament. In Qatar, they became the first African country to make the competition’s semi-finals, topping a group containing Belgium, Croatia and Canada before eliminating Spain and Portugal to reach the last four.

In contrast Morocco have lifted one Afcon trophy, in 1976, in 19 appearances. A disappointing haul given that the country has the best footballing infrastructure on the continent, funded by King Mohammed VI. Unlike many of their African counterparts, the federation is well run and they boast an abundance of talents who play club football at the highest level in Europe. One final and two semi-final appearances in almost five decades are a poor return for a country often tipped as one of the favourites. In recent Afcon editions, worse teams with far fewer resources have gone on to triumph.

Now the Atlas Lions are not just one of the favourites, but the overwhelming favourite. The team set incredibly high standards in Qatar but will have to grapple with changing the way they play on the pitch, and their mindset off it, when they kick off their tournament at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San-Pédro.

Since the World Cup, Morocco have struggled. They secured a huge 2-1 victory against Brazil, but a loss against South Africa and draws against Peru, Cape Verde and Ivory Coast highlighted just how much they will have to change how they play. In response to his side’s form, the Morocco manager, Walid Regragui, said: “We’re playing against the world’s top players. I, too, could go and play against teams 50th or 60th in the Fifa rankings and then say that we have been undefeated for however many matches.”

He was seemingly having a dig at Algeria and their 35-match unbeaten run that ended at the 2021 Afcon. It was a strange comment given Morocco have also mostly played sides below 50th in the rankings, including 153rd-placed Liberia.

Maybe his critics have a point. In Qatar, Morocco were highly disciplined and defensively organised. In goal, Bono took care of the rare chances that passed the back four of Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saïss and Noussair Mazraoui. Sofyan Amrabat was Morocco’s industrious base, but simultaneously proved he was so much more than the average destroyer with his passing and progressive runs. Azzedine Ounahi was instrumental in moving the ball up the pitch and his speed, technicality and decision-making were crucial in keeping possession and executing Regragui’s tactic of using the other team’s willingness to attack in order to find spaces to exploit.

None of that has changed for Morocco. They still very rarely concede and can carve open their opponent’s midfield. It is up front they have concerns. Hakim Ziyech was in stunning form at the World Cup, but 13 months on the 30-year-old is struggling to maintain fitness at Galatasaray, having missed 13 games this season with a foot injury and a hamstring problem.

Similarly, Sofiane Boufal has only played five matches this season after picking up an unknown injury that kept him out of action with the Qatari side Al-Rayyan for more than 100 days. He last played 90 minutes in August.

Source: The Guardian

Morocco are favourites to win Afcon – can they repeat World Cup heroics? | Yara El-Shaboury

After historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar, the Atlas Lions are in shaky form and face determined opposition

www.theguardian.com

 

[MenInG]

Who is your favourite to win the tournament?

 

[FearlessRoar]

The Gambia national team were involved in a terrifying incident on their flight to the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday evening.

It has been reported that several of the players fainted due to a lack of oxygen on the aircraft.

Most of the passengers are said to have fallen asleep shortly after take-off.

Disaster was avoided, however, with the plane heading back to Gambia after just 20 minutes.

The Gambia national team includes Wrexham star Jacob Mendy.

“We could all have been dead,” coach Tom Saintfiet is reported to have said by De Telegraaf. “We all fell asleep quickly. Me, too. I had short dreams about how my life was done. Really and truly.

"After nine minutes the pilot decided to return because there was no oxygen supply. There were players who did not wake up immediately after landing. We almost got carbon monoxide poisoning. Another half hour of flying and we would all have been dead.”

Ex-Manchester United youngster Saidy Janko was also on the flight and posted a long message about the incident.

He wrote: "After travelling 32 hours in total from Saudi Arabia (Training Camp) to The Gambia with long layovers in Istanbul and Casablanca, we were supposed to fly from Gambia to Ivory Coast for the AFCON today.

"As soon as we entered the small plane that was hired to fly us, we noticed the immense heat that left us dripping in sweat. It was assured to us by the Crew that the air condition would start once we are in the sky.

"The inhumane heat mixed with the occurring lack of oxygen left many people with strong headaches and extreme dizziness. Furthermore, people started falling deeply asleep minutes after entering the aircraft/takeoff.

"Whilst in the Air, the situation got worse, leaving the pilot with no other option, than initiating an emergency landing back in Banjul airport nine minutes after takeoff. Which happened successfully.

"If it wasn’t for this, the consequences could have been a lot worse !!!.. knowing what could have happened, if we would have been exposed to the situation for any longer - in an airplane, running out of oxygen..

"We are grateful that everyone is feeling well but this is a situation that has to be addressed going into the AFCON, as being only one of our obstacles on international duty.

"This is unacceptable and such has to cease with immediate effect."

Source: Talksport

https://talksport.com/football/1707594/wrexham-africa-cup-of-nations-plane-scare/

 

[The Bald Eagle]

‘It is a global event’: all eyes on hosts Ivory Coast as Afcon looks to move on​

Ivory Coast is about to stage its second Africa Cup of Nations but with the first happening 40 years ago, not many of the country’s more than 29 million people have experienced the tournament. Michel Brizoua-Bi, a lawyer and former senior figure in the Confederation of African Football (Caf), is among the exceptions.

Brizoua-Bi was 18 when, in March 1984, he and a 50,000 crowd, at the Félix-Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, witnessed the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, captained by Théophile Abega and inspired by Roger Milla, win the first of their five Afcon titles, beating Nigeria (known as the Green Eagles at the time) 3-1 in the final.

His father, Jean, as president of Fif, the Ivorian Football Federation, from 1980-88, was a key part of its organisation.

The Gambia team make emergency landing on way to Africa Cup of Nations

“Hosting Africa is a part of the DNA of Côte d’Ivoire … I was just finishing secondary school, about to go to university … There were just a few of the teams having players in Europe,” Brizoua-Bi says. “Teams were mostly formed from players that played the game within Africa … It was a real African event in 1984. It is a global event now.”

The Afcon had a much smaller footprint in 1984 – an eight-team format, with two centres in Abidjan and Bouaké, as opposed to the current 24-team, six-centre, month-long tournament, costing the Ivorian exchequer more than $1bn (£780m), which begins at 8pm GMT on Saturday, with the host country taking on Guinea-Bissau.

Preparations for the tournament have not been without controversy. Alassane Ouattara, the country’s president, sacked the prime minister Patrick Achi in October, after the pitch and infrastructure at the showpiece stadium in Ebimpé, which hosts the opening and final matches, failed to meet tournament standards. It required remedial work, despite the $257m spent on its construction.

Source : The Guardian

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Match Report Ivory Coast vs Guinea-bissau
Ivory Coast’s Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso scored in each half as the hosts completed a 2-0 Group A victory over Guinea Bissau in the Africa Cup of Nations opening game played in energy-sapping humidity on Saturday.

Ivory Coast 2-0 Guinea-Bissau: Africa Cup of Nations – live reaction
Fofana gave his side a fourth minute lead with a superb shot from the edge of the box before Krasso made up for an earlier miss when he acrobatically netted a second just before the hour.

The Ivorians were always favourites against a Guinea Bissau team who have now not won any of their 10 Cup of Nations finals matches but the hosts, with several players missing through injury, will be pleased to have started their campaign on a positive note in front of an expectant 60,000 crowd.

Twice winners Ivory Coast next play on Thursday when they face Nigeria in the biggest match-up in the group, while Guinea-Bissau take on Equatorial Guinea on the same day. The games will again be played at Abidjan’s Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

Source : The Guardian

 

[FearlessRoar]

Africa Cup of Nations: Dates for 2025 finals undecided amid Club World Cup clash

The dates for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) remain undecided amid a potential clash with the Fifa Club World Cup, according to Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Patrice Motsepe.

The 2021 finals in Cameroon and the 2023 edition of Afcon, which kicks off in Ivory Coast on Saturday, were moved to dates in January and February.

Caf had made a commitment in 2017 to return to staging the tournament mid-year to avoid disputes with European clubs over releasing players in the middle of their season.

But Fifa's expanded 32-team Club World Cup is scheduled to be held in the United States in June and July 2025, setting up a potential clash of dates with that year's Afcon which will be hosted by Morocco.

"We want the Cup of Nations to take place when it is most favourable and convenient for the tournament," said Motsepe.

"We are still engaging with Fifa about the dates."

The 2021 finals in Cameroon were scheduled for early that year to avoid the rainy season in the country, and were then put back 12 months to 2022 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 2023 tournament was similarly shifted because of weather considerations in Ivory Coast.

Two African sides, Al Ahly of Egypt and Morocco's Wydad Casablanca, have already qualified for the expanded Club World Cup. The national sides of both countries traditionally draw players from those clubs for international duty.

2023 hosts Ivory Coast 'on right track'

Speaking in Abidjan on Friday, Motsepe also insisted he is confident this year's Afcon will not see a repeat of the kind of tragedy which marred the last tournament in Cameroon.

Eight people were killed and dozens injured in a crush and stampede at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde prior to the last-16 match between the hosts and Comoros.

The Ivorian government has invested over $1.5 billion in improving infrastructure in order to host the tournament for the first time since 1984.

That has included the construction of the 60,000-capacity Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium, on the northern outskirts of Abidjan, which will host Saturday's opening game as well as the final on 11 February.

There will be around 17,000 police and soldiers deployed during the month-long tournament to ensure security.

"I am satisfied the appropriate steps have been taken to make sure we will totally avoid the painful experience we had in Cameroon," added Motsepe.

"The Cameroon accident was absolutely avoidable.

"For as long as I am president, whether I know or don't know, whether I am aware or not aware, I ultimately have to take responsibility for anything that happens.

"I am satisfied that there is a huge amount of determination and commitment and I think we are on the right track."

BBC Sport

Africa Cup of Nations: Dates for 2025 finals undecided amid Club World Cup clash

Dates for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco are undecided amid a potential clash with the expanded Fifa Club World Cup.

www.google.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Victor Osimhen's quick-fire equaliser spared Nigeria a shock defeat against Equatorial Guinea in their opening game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Osimhen nodded in a minute after Iban Salvador's opener for the underdogs.

Salvador's classy first-half finish was his side's only attempt on target and briefly threatened a significant upset in the second game of the tournament.

Jesus Owono made several second-half saves to deny the Super Eagles, while Osimhen missed after breaking clear.

BBC Sport

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67904848

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Egypt captain, Mohammed Salah scored late to rescue Egypt from a Mozambique shock in their opening group D game of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023.

It took the 7-time champions just two minutes to get into the lead thanks to Mohamed Mostafa’s strike.

Mohammed Salah failed to connect to a cross from Mohammed Hamdi but Mostafa was just there to swivel a shot into the bottom corner.

Mostafa once again was put through by Salah but his final effort was saved by goalkeeper Ernan Siluane.

Mozambique came close to getting their first goal after Mohamed Abdelmonem was forced to put the ball into his own net but El Shenawy managed to save the situation.

The Mambas came into the second half much stronger.

Witness Quembo headed home the equalizer for Mozambique. A bullet header beat the palm of El Shenawy after a lovely cross from Domingos on the 55th minutes

The goal is Mozambique’s first in the last 14 years.

Three minutes later, Clesio Bauque added Mozambique’s second. He broke through the Egyptian to set up a one-on-one with Mohamed El Shenawy to score.

Domingos Macandza brought down Mostafa Mohammed in the closing stages of the game and after VAR review, Egypt were awarded a penalty.

Salah stepped up and scored for Egypt to draw them level.

Egypt will play Ghana on Thursday January 18 at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Garry Rodrigues scores late as Cape Verde stun Ghana

Garry Rodrigues scored late to hand Cape Verde all three points against the Black Stars of Ghana in their first game of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023.

Cape Verde took a deserved lead in the 17th minutes through Jamiro Monteiro. The San Jose Earthquakes midfielder was in the penalty box to tap home from a loose ball from goalkeeper, Richard Ofori.

Ghana’s midfielder, Majeed Ashimeru had what could have been an equalizer disallowed after VAR checks by referee Jean Jacques Ndola Ngambo.

Alexander Djiku got the equalizer for Ghana, 11 minutes into the second half. The defender headed in from a Jordan Ayew ball to draw Ghana level.

After scoring, Djiku cleared his lines when a Cape Verde effort beat Richard Ofori.

With just 6 minutes to end the game, substitute, Garry Rodrigues restored Cape Verde’s lead after e capitalized on a defensive blunder from the Ghanaian defense to tap into an empty net.

Cape Verde are now top of Group D with three points.

Ghana will play Egypt next Thursday, 18 January at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Holders Senegal began their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with victory over 10-man underdogs The Gambia.

Pape Gueye gave the Teranga Lions the ideal start, collecting Sadio Mane's pass to fire in a fourth-minute opener from inside the penalty area.

Cardiff City midfielder Ebou Adams was dismissed for The Gambia for an off-the ball challenge just before half-time.

Lamine Camara doubled Senegal's lead with a low finish after the break and curled in a classy third from distance.

BBC Sport

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67908911

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Five-time champions Cameroon were held to a draw by 10-man Guinea as the early stages of the Africa Cup of Nations continued to produce surprise results.

Guinea, ranked 80th in the world, had threatened a real shock when Mohamed Bayo fired them into an early lead.

But they had to play the entire second half a man light after skipper Francois Kamano stamped on Frank Magri's heel.

Magri nodded in Georges-Kevin Nkoudou's cross to draw Cameroon level but Guinea admirably hung on for a deserved point.

The Indomitable Stars almost snatched victory towards the end but Guinea keeper Ibrahim Kone made a fine save from Karl Toko Ekambi to ensure honours ended even.

The draw leaves both sides with work to do to qualify for the knockout stages with holders Senegal sitting top of Group C after their comfortable 3-0 victory over The Gambia earlier on Monday.

 

[hassan918]

FULL TIME: Algeria 1-1 Angola

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Angolan striker, Cristovao Paciencia rescued a vital point for his side after converting from the spot to hold Algeria to a 1-1 stalemate at Bouake’s Stade De La Paix in their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Group C opener against the former champions on Monday evening.

The 2019 champions came into the tie as favourites on paper and unsurprisingly pinned their opponents into their own half from the opening whistle.

Fares Chaibi was the first to ask questions of Adilson Cipriano in as early as the 6th minute after doing well to connect with a Youcef Belaili cross for his volleyed effort to go narrowly wide.

Belaili, who was a constant threat to the Angolan defense almost opened the scoring charts in the eighth minute after doing well to cut in from the left to unleash a powerful strike that was fisted away by Cipriano.

The Desert Foxes were eventually rewarded for their relentless attacks after a lobbed ball from the back went over Kialonda Gaspar for 2019 title hero, Baghdad Bounedjah to comfortably slot it into the bottom left corner.

Interestingly Bounedjah scored Algeria’s opening goal in their first match of the 2019 edition against Kenya, where they went on to win the title Egypt.

Coming back from the recess, Angola’s game plan was to get balls into the danger area – a tactic that paid dividends in the 68th minute when substitute, Cristovao Paciencia converted from the spot kick after he was fouled in the box by Nabil Bentaleb.

The evenly contested encounter concluded with both sides sharing the spoils in front of a highly vocal Stade De La Paix crowd.

Next for Algeria will be a clash against Burkina Faso on Saturday at 14h00, while Angola face Mauritania in the 20h00 Kick Off.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Burkina Faso scored late to get all three points against Mauritania in the opening game of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023.

Mauritania who are still chasing their first Africa Cup of Nations win proved solid in the first half by creating some decent chances.

Burkina Faso’s goalkeeper Havre Koffi came through for the Stallions on some occasions where needed.

Bertrand Traore came on for Cedric Badolo to provide more attacking threats for Hubert Velud’s side.

He nearly scored the opener after he curled from the penalty box but was denied by Babacar Niasse.

Issa Kabore was brought down in the box at the closing stages of the game. After VAR review, a penalty was awarded to Burkina Faso.

Substitute Bertrand Traore stepped up and converted for Burkina Faso to win all three points and ensure their tournament is on course.

Burkina Faso will play Algeria next on January 20 in their next game.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Namibian heroes stun Tunisia with late AFCON thunderbolt

Namibia produced one of the all-time TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations shocks by defeating 2004 champions Tunisia 1-0 in Tuesday's Group E opener.

In a cagey first half of few chances, both sides lacked sharpness before Brave Warriors' late thunderbolt stole the points.

The Carthage Eagles dominated possession but struggled to penetrate a resolute Namibian backline marshalled by Ivan Kamberipa.

Captain Youssef Msakni tested Lloyd Kazapua with a curled effort but the Tunisians grew frustrated as the game wore on.

Yet while the Brave Warriors lacked attacking spark, their tireless industry and organisation kept a star-studded Tunisia at bay.

As a famous upset loomed ever larger, the minnows delivered a hammer blow in the 89th minute.

Deon Hotto latched onto a long ball over the top and outpaced the defence before coolly slotting past Bechir Ben Said.

The Orlando Pirates winger thought he had doubled the lead when the offside flag denied him another historic strike.

But one goal proved enough as Namibia's warriors held on for the clean sheet to claim a monumental three points.

Few observers gave the southern underdogs hope before the tournament began but now sides in the tournament will give them serious attention thanks to the massive shock on Tuesday.

But this shock victory over one of Africa's giants has given them a good chance of progressing from Group E.

Namibia tops Group E with 3 points as South Africa prepare to play Mali in the group's other game on the day.

The Carthage will have to recover against Mali on January 20 while Namibia come up against regional foes South Africa on January 21.

 

[hassan918]

FULL TIME: Mali 2-0 South Africa

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko struck as Mali beat South Africa in their Africa Cup of Nations opener.

Percy Tau sent a penalty over the bar for Bafana Bafana in a first half characterised by missed chances.

The pattern continued until Traore tapped in the rebound after Sekou Koita's free-kick hit the woodwork.

Sinayoko seized on Kamory Doumbia's pass to rifle the second from inside the box six minutes later and seal victory for the 1972 finalists.

The result at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo means Mali have won all three Afcon games they have played against South Africa after previous victories at the 2002 and 2013 editions.

Mali are top of Group E ahead of Namibia who earlier stunned Tunisia with a 1-0 victory - their first at an Africa Cup of Nations finals.

 

[FearlessRoar]

This is hilarious

https://twitter.com/x/status/1747272492937547852

 

[Cricket Warrior]

The Atlas Lions of Morocco cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Tanzania at the Stade Laurent Pokou In their opening game at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023.

The Moroccans from the start took a total dominance of the game and created all the goal scoring opportunities.

The 2022 World Cup semifinalist shot into the lead and it was Hakim Ziyech who saw his free kick parried out by Salum Manula only for oncoming Roman Saiss to pounce on for the game’s opener.

Novatus Miroshi was shown second yellow card and Tanzania were reduced to ten men in the 70th minute and Walid Regragui aided Morocco’s absolute control of the game from there.

Luck had s no place in this game as Morocco worked their way up to the cushioning through Azzedine Ounahi who after receiving a pass inside the box and without hesitation powered a thunderbolt to the underside of the goal for a 2-0 lead at 77 minutes.

Yousseff En Nesyri scored his own and Morocco’s third after receiving a pass inside the penalty area from Achraf Hakimi and showed composure before finding the far corner of goal to put Morocco 3-0 up against Tanzania. The goal stood after VAR review.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

D.R. Congo came back from behind to draw level with Zambia in the last first round games of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023.

The Leopards kicked off well by taking control of the game but were wasteful upfront.

Zambia got the lead 23 minutes into the game thanks to Kings Kangwa. The midfielder pounced on goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi error to score from a distance.

Despite taking the lead, Zambia looked a bit down upfront with Paston Daka and Fashion Sakala failing to give enough problems to the Dr Congo defense.

It was an instant impact for Dr. Congo after going down.

They created more chances and were more purposeful this time around.

Yoane Wissa connected to Cedric Bakambu’s low cross to score.

Dr. Congo came into the second half stronger just as how they ended the first half and it nearly paid off but for VAR.

The Leopards were awarded a penalty but was canceled after VAR consultations by referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa.

Morocco’s emphatic win means they top Group D with three points followed by D.R. Congo and Zambia with a point each.

D.R. Congo will play Morocco next on Sunday, January 21 at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro.

 

[BouncerGuy]

As the first round of the AFCON has finished, here is the look at the standing for each group:

 

[FearlessRoar]

In just 12 games!

The highest goals per game (2.3) ratio in a single edition since 2012.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Emilio Nsue scored a hat-trick as Equatorial Guinea closed in on the knockout stages of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations by thrashing Guinea-Bissau.

Nsue slotted in the first-half opener and struck twice after the break for the first Afcon treble since 2008.

Esteban Orozco's own goal sent the sides in level at half-time but Josete Miranda's strike restored Equatorial Guinea's lead early in the second half.

Ze Turbo netted a consolation for Guinea-Bissau in stoppage time.

BBC Sport

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67942219

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Troost-Ekong goal from di penalty spot help Nigeria defeat hosts Ivory Coast and secure dia first victory for di ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Di captain of di Super Eagles convert from di spot on 55 mins afta Nigeria win a penalty through a foul on Osimhen.
At first referee Mustapha Gorbal no award di penalty but video assistant referee (VAR) call im attention to di foul by Diomande on di Napoli striker before im point to di spot.

Di goal by Troost-Ekong bin be di only shot wey di Super Eagles bin get on target as Nigeria produce very good defensive display to shock di Ivorians.

Source: BBC Sports