Month: January 2024

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.

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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. 

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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. 

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Six-goal thriller as Emilio Nsue nets AFCON 2023 first hattrick
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Six-goal thriller as Emilio Nsue nets AFCON 2023 first hattrick 

On Thursday, former Birmingham City winger Emilio Nsue scored the Cup of Nations 2023 first hat trick as Equatorial Guinea overcame Guinea-Bissau.

Following their impressive 1-1 draw against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea continued their fine form in the Cup of Nations. They defeated Guinea-Bissua 4-2 in their second Group A match at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Thursday.

Emilio Nsue opened the scoring for Equatorial Guinea in the 21st minute, but an own goal in the 37th minute from Equatorial Guinea’s Orozco Fernandez drew parity for Guinea-Bissau.

Both sides ended the first half tied 1-1. Still, after the recess, a goal from Josete Miranda and Emilio Nsue scored two more gaols to complete his hattrick in the 51st and 61st minutes, respectively, were enough as Nzalang Nacional comfortably brushed aside their counterparts.

As a result, Equatorial Guinea  topped of Group A as Ivory Coast and Nigeria battled later to improve their chances of making it into the round of 16.

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Morocco ease past Tanzania, DRC & Zambia draw in opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco ease past Tanzania, DRC & Zambia draw in opener

Tournament favourite Morocco, in the hunt for their first AFCON title in almost 50 years, thrashed Tanzania in the Group F opener.

On Wednesday, the Atlas Lions of Morocco proved too strong as they brushed aside Tanzania 3-0 at the Stade Laurent Pokou In their opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

The North Africans were dominant as they controlled the pace of the showdown against Taifa Stars, ranked 121 in global football.

The 2022 World Cup semifinalist took the lead after Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick was parried out by Salum Manula before it was tapped in by Morocco’s skipper Roman Saiss.

Things got worse for Tanzania when Novatus Miroshi was sent off with 20 minutes left before Azzedine Ounahi scored to double Morocco’s lead.

Youssef En-Nesyri converted Achraf Hakimi’s cross as they crapped up the victory.

In the day’s encounter, DR Congo and Zambia settle for a 1-1 draw in Group F’s second game on Wednesday evening.

DR Congo’s star Yoane Wissa was named Man of the Match by technical observers. All four sides are back in action again on Sunday.

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Sierra Leone International Alpha Conteh pens Neftchi Baku deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone International Alpha Conteh pens Neftchi Baku deal

 Azerbaijani professional football club Neftchi Baku have confirmed the signing of Sierra Leone International Alpha Bedo Conteh on a two-and-a-half deal with a year additional option.

The 23-year-old left winger will wear jersey number 20 in our team.

Based in Baku, they compete in the Azerbaijan Premier League, the highest tier of Azerbaijan football. 

Last season, Conteh was a pivotal attacking option for Bulgarian top-flight side PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv, where he made over twenty appearances and scored four goals.

“Before signing the contract, Alfa Conte underwent a general annual examination at Liv Bona Dea Hospital and no health problems were detected,” the club said in their statement.

Mali beat South Africa in the Group E opener to go top
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali beat South Africa in Group E opener to go top

On Wednesday, South Africa suffered an opening African Cup of Nations Group E 2-0 defeat to Mali at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium.

Goals Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko were enough as the Les Aigles Mali topped off the group – Namibia in second after they stunned North African giant Tunisia 1-0 in the early kickoff at the same venue.

South Africa was the better side in the opening 45 minutes but failed to take any of their chances. 

A penalty was awarded to South Africa after an elbow to the face from Mali defender Sikou Niakate on Evidence Makgopa confirmed after VAR review.

The 1996 champions missed a glorious chance to take the lead after Al Ahly striker Percy Tau sent a penalty over the bar for Bafana Bafana.

However, Mali took control after Traore opened the scoring for the Les Aigles from tapped in the rebound after Sekou Koita’s free-kick hit the woodwork.

Mali capitalised to net their second when Sinayoko seized on Kamory Doumbia’s pass to rifle the second from inside the box six minutes to ensure victory for the West Africans.

As a result, Mali has won all three Afcon games they have played against South Africa, having beaten them at the 2002 and 2013 editions.

Mali takes on Tunisia on Saturday as South Africa battle with Namibia on Sunday in their East Africa derby.

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Bertrand Traoré scores last-gasp winner for Burkina Faso
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bertrand Traoré scores last-gasp winner for Burkina Faso

On Tuesday, Burkina Faso defeated Mauritania 1-0 with a last-gasp Bertrand Traore winner in the 96th minute in their opening Cup of Nations Group D tie at the Stade de Bouaké.

Both sides meet for the first time at the stage as Traoré, who participated at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup and 2011 African U-17 Championship, secured a pivotal three points for Les Étalons.

After a goalless affair in the 90th minute, Burkina Faso got their breakthrough when Nouh Mohamed El Abd fouled Issa Kabore in the penalty area.

Traore misplaced Mauritania keeper Babacar Niasse from the spot. As a result, Burkina Faso go top of Group D ahead of taking on Algeria on Saturday. 

Mauritania’s third appearance started with a narrow defeat, leaving them with an uphill task to qualify from this group as they set to face Angola and Algeria, respectively, in their remaining group two matches.

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Cristovao Paciencia helps Angola draw with Desert Foxes Algeria
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cristovao Paciencia helps Angola draw with Algeria 

Algeria were held to a 1-1 draw against Angola in their opening Group D game at the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, with a second-half Cristovao Paciencia Mabululu penalty denying the North Africans a vital first win.

The 2019 champions got off the mark through Baghdad Bounedjah’s opening goal after 18 minutes in Bouake, Ivory Coast’s second city, but they failed to double their lead at the break.

Algeria were pegged back midway through the second half as substitute Mabululu converted from the spot after he was fouled in the box by Nabil Bentaleb.

Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi expressed his disappointment in his post-match interview. “This is not the result we expected. We were expecting to have three points. We tried our best and didn’t want to lose the game, so we did what we could to get a necessary point.”

Algeria’s next outing is against Burkina Faso on Saturday, as Angola faces Mauritania in the evening kickoff (20h00).

In Group C’s second game, Guinea and Cameroon shared opening spoils 1-1 at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023. 

Earlier, holders Senegal thrashed the Gambia 3-0 – they will face Cameroon on Friday, January 19, at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium –Guinea‘s Syli National take on Gambia on the same day in a late kickoff. 

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Winning start for holders Senegal as Lamine Camara nets brace
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Winning start for holders Senegal as Lamine Camara nets brace

Holders Senegal got off to a winning start as youngster Lamine Camara stole the headlines with a brace in their 3-0 demolition of the Gambia.

Pape Gueye scored Senegal’s opener in the 4th minute at the Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro in the Group C encounter – 20-year-old Lamine Camara scored twice to ensure a bright opening match for Lions of Teranga.

The Gambia suffered more setbacks when Cardiff City midfielder Ebou Adams was sent off before half-time.

Lamine Camara doubled Senegal’s lead with a low finish in the 52nd minute with a curling effort before wrapping up his brace in the 86th minute.

The 2023 U20 AFCON Best Player was named Man of the Match on his Cup of Nations debut for Senegal.

Head coach Aliou Cisse’s side takes home an early advantage with maximum points of the group as Cameroon takes on Guinea later on.

Senegal will take on Cameroon in Yamoussoukro Charles Konan Banny Stadium in their second group-stage match on Friday (17:00 GMT).

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