Day: January 19, 2024

Cape Verde, Senegal reach the Cup of Nations last 16
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cape Verde, Senegal reach AFCON last 16

Senegal defeated Cameroon 3-1 to join Cape Verde as the two first nations to reach the Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast’s last sixteen.

Former Manchester United player Tiago Dias Correia, Mendes da Graça and Gonçalves Pereira de Pina were all on the scoresheet as Cape Verde recorded two straight wins to reach the Cup of Nations last sixteen from Group B.

Bebe’s long-range striker in the 32nd-minute beat Mozambique keeper Ernan Siluane as Cape Verde became the first team to book their last-16 place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny.

The Blue Sharks face the North Africans in Egypt in their final group match on Monday. A win for Egypt against Cape Verde would mean a direct qualification as group B runner-ups, with a draw even enough in the case of Ghana and Mozambique drawing as well.

In the day’s other game, Senegal defeated Cameroon 3-1 with a 16-minute opener from Ismaïla Sarr and a second-half tap from Habib Diallo, sending the holders to the round of sixteen with a game to spare at the Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro.

Cameroon rallied a goal back to make the 2-1 through J. Castelletto, but a late strike for experienced Sadia Mane completed the Lions of Teranga 95th-minute stoppage time.

Guinea, who draw with Cameroon in the Group C opener, will take on the Gambia in the late evening kickoff on Friday.

Senegal’s final game is against Guinea Syli National on Tuesday.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 African News.

 

Post-Match: Chris Hughton was frustrated, and Rui Vitoria pleased
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Post-Match: Hughton frustrated, and Rui Vitoria pleased

Contrasted views from Black Stars’ head coach, Chris Hughton and coach Rui Victoria of Egypt after their pulsating 2-2 draw at the Félix Houphouët Boigny Stadium on Thursday.  

Ghana led twice as Egypt rallied parity to secure two points from their opening two games in the Ivory Coast Cup of Nations.

“We will continue to fight. At the moment there is indeed a lot of frustration in the locker room. Our team deserved more, but football is like that. It’s frustrating. In a similar performance, we would surely have won. Two errors cost us the match. We didn’t take this opportunity to take the three points,” Hughton told journalists. 

“I have full confidence in my team, I saw men this evening who fought to the end only victory eluded us. We showed great qualities this evening against a revitalized Ghana. The players applied our instructions perfectly. There was room to win the match”, said Egypt head coach Vitoria.

The Pharaohs, on two points, are in a similar situation and must win against Cape Verde in their final group game. Ghana must win against Mozambique if they are to have any chance of reaching the tournament’s last sixteen.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 African News.

West Ham's Mohammed Kudus nets brace in Eqypt AFCON draw
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

West Ham’s Kudus nets brace in Eqypt AFCON draw

West United striker Mohammed Kudus scored twice for Ghana against Egypt in their Group B 2-2 matchday two draw at the Félix Houphouët Boigny Stadium on Thursday but was not enough for a win.

Twice, the seven-time African champions rallied equaliser as the results left both nations still searching for a first win at the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 and a place in the last sixteen.

Mohammed Kudus’s fancy finish gave the Black Stars their lead in first-half stoppage time, just after Pharaoh’s captain Mohamed Salah was subbed off through injury.

But Omar Marmoush drew parity for coach Rui Vitoria’s side in the 69th minute before West Ham’s Kudus reinstated Ghana’s lead with a deflected effort two minutes later. 

Mostafa Mohamed scored  Egypt’s second goal to leave both sides winless after two Group B games.

As a result, Ghana must win their final group game against Mozambique if they are to have any chance of reaching the last sixteen. However, Cape Verde, who defeated Ghana 2-1 in the opener, will secure qualification if they win against Mozambique on Friday. 

The Pharaohs, on two points are in a similar situation and must win against Cape Verde in their final group game. 

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 African News.

Nigeria's Super Eagles signal intent after defeatng Ivory Coast
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria’s Eagles signal intent with Ivory Coast win

William Troost-Ekong’s goal against the Ivory Coast signalled Nigeria’s intent to reach the last 16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after the Super Eagles’ 1-0 win over hosts in Group A.

Nigeria’s victory has left Group A qualification wide open – any of the top three could qualify for the round of sixteen.

In front of a packed Stade Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, the Elephant of Ivory Coast could not escape defeat as William Troost-Ekong’s spot kick in the 54th minute after Victor Osimhen was fouled silenced the home fans.

The three-time African champions leapfrog the Elephants to go second in Group A and are behind leaders Equatorial Guinea, who beat Guinea-Bissau 4-2 earlier on Thursday on goal difference.

Nigeria on four points, will face Guinea-Bissau (17:00 GMT) in their final Group A fixture on Monday as Ivory Coast battles things out on the same day. 

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 African News.