Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mauritania stun Algeria as Angola beat Burkina Faso to reach last 16
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mauritania stun Algeria as Angola beat Burkina Faso to qualify

Lions of Chinguetti of Mauritania and Palancas Negras of Angola have progressed to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 knockout stages following wins against Algeria and Burkina Faso, respectively, on Tuesday.

Despite Burkina Faso’s defeat, they qualified automatically as second-best in the group.

Minnows Mauritania stunned Algeria 1-0 at the Stade de la Paixin Bouake in the Group D final match, whilst Angola was through after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso.

Against all the odds towards Algeria to pick their first win in the, but Mauritania came to play with as determination as they sent the North Africans packing.

Mohamed Yali Dellahi accounted for Muaritania’s only goal to down the 2019 Cup of Nations holders Algeria after his strike deflected to put Mauritania ahead.

Angola – on the other hand, scored through a goal apiece from in each half by Cristovao Paciencia and Ambrosini Salvador on the stroke of full-time, as the Antelopes qualify for the first time since 2010 as hosts.

Mauritania will face surprise Group B winners Cape Verde in the last 16 at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Monday as Angola set to battle a third-placed side from Group E or F in the last 16 on Saturday, while Burkina Faso will take on the Group E winners next Tuesday.

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Group D final Standings -Angola, Burkina Faso and Mauritania qualified from Group D
Group D final Standings -Angola, Burkina Faso and Mauritania qualified from Group D
The Gambia head coach Tom Saintfiet exit post
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet resigns after Cameroon’s defeat

Following the Gambia national team’s exit from TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, head coach Tom Saintfiet has resigned from his post with immediate effect.

Their 3-2 defeat to Cameroon in their final Group C Cup of Nations encounter at the Stade de Bouaké was the end of the road for Saintfiet on Tuesday. 

Saintfiet, 50, confirmed his decision to quit as the Scorpion’s technical head after failing to pick a single point in the group stage.

Saintfiet took over the Scorpions in 2018 and led the side to the quarter-finals of the 2021 edition of Afcon on their debut, but couldn’t replicate heroics in Ivory Coast.

“Thank you for your service gaffer. Gambia will indeed miss a great tactician,” the Gambia Football Federation said in a message posted on X.

The Gambia were 168th in the world rankings when Saintfiet took charge in July 2018, and the 50-year-old departs after improving their position to 126th.

The Scorpions were the lowest-ranked team at the 2021 finals but beat Mauritania, Tunisia and Guinea on the way to the last eight, where they were beaten 2-0 by hosts Cameroon.

His side suffered a 3-0 defeat by defending champions Senegal in their opening Cup of Nations 2023 opener and then fell to a 1-0 loss against fellow West Africans Guinea.

Saintfiet had previously Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Malawi and Togo.

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Equatorial Guinea president awards team €1 million for Afcon victory
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

€1m Euros bonus for Equatorial Guinea AFCON squad 

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has rewarded One Million Euros to the Nzalang Nacional’s AFCON team as a bonus for reaching the last sixteen in style and January 23 as a public holiday. 

Equatorial Guinea convincingly hammered hosts Ivory Coast 4-0 with a brace from danger man Emilio Nsue, a 34-year-old right back of the Spanish 3rd Division side based in Alicante and a goal apiece from Pablo Ganet and Jannick Buyla at Ebimpe’s Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium.

“Apart from the participation bonus, for the good match played this afternoon against the Ivory Coast, I promise Nzalang Nacional a bonus of “one million Euros.” they are the #HéroesNacionales,” President Nguema Mbasogo announced. 

“Today’s victory has been a brilliant victory, an excellent victory, and truly, we are all very proud and happy to see how you have won against the host country 4-0”, Teodorín said, also wearing the Nzalang jersey.

The vice president concluded his message with a “Bravo!” while applauding and raising his right fist in the air.”

Group winners Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea is set to face a third-placed side from Group C, D, or E in the last 16 on Sunday.

The best Cup of Nations performance was in the 2015 AFCON when they reached the semi-finals after losing to DR Congo 4-2 as Host in Malabo.

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The Black Stars of Ghana could be eliminated from the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations after a late Mozambique surge saw them held to a 2-2 draw in their final group-stage game at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara on Monday.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cape Verde, Egypt progress, Ghana set for exit after draw

The Black Stars of Ghana are on the brink of being eliminated from the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations after a late Mozambique surge saw them held to a 2-2 draw in their final group-stage game at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara on Monday.

The West Africans were leading 2-0 into second-half injury time as the four-time winners looked destined for a place in the round of 16.

Mozambique staged a fashionable last-gasp comeback that may have dumped Chris Hughton’s Ghana out of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Two penalties from Crystal Palace attacker Jordan Ayew had put four-time champions Ghana on their way to victory. However, late goals from Geny Cipriano Catamo and Reinaldo Isnard Mandava dented hopes.

In the Group’s other matches, Cape Verde and Egypt played to a 2-2 entertaining draw at the Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.

As a result, both sides progressed as the Blue Sharks emerged as group winners, followed by seven-time holders Egypt.

“I take responsibility for this performance,” ex-Newcastle and Ghana boss Hughton said. “As head coach, I have not done well enough in this competition.”

“We’ve played three games and we’ve conceded two goals in each of these games, and we haven’t put ourselves in a winning position where we could score goals.”

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Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria qualify for Cup of Nations last 16 from Group A
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Equatorial Guinea & Nigeria qualify for Cup of Nations last 16

Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea and Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the last 16 knockout stages of the 2023 Cup of Nations on Monday.

Equatorial Guinea convincingly hammered hosts Ivory Coast 4-0 with a brace from danger man Emilio Nsue, a 34-year-old right back of the Spanish 3rd Division side based in Alicante (In Photo) and a goal apiece from Pablo Ganet and Jannick Buyla at Ebimpe’s Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium.

As a result, Afcon 2023 hosts Ivory Coast’s chances of progressing to the knock-out phase are out of their hands as they finish third place in Group A.

The four best third-placed sides across the six groups progress to the last 16.

Nigeria, who ended second behind Equatorial Guinea, progressed after a first-half Opa Sangante own at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium.

José Peseiro’s men will face the team that finishes second in Group C on Saturday, 27 January. Group winners Equatorial Guinea is set to face a third-placed side from Group C, D, or E in the last 16 on Sunday.

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Odense Boldklub confirm striker Mohamed Turay to leave club
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Odense Boldklub confirm striker Mohamed Turay to leave

Danish top-flight football club based in Odense have confirmed Sierra Leone International is in talks with another club ahead of exiting Odense Boldklub.

The former Malmö FF attacker joined OB in May last year, on a contract until 2025 and has featured in all competitions and scored three goals.

“29-year-old Sierra Leone striker Mohamed Buya Turay is not on the training ground today as he visits a club to discuss his terms for a transfer.

“We currently have no further comment on the matter and we will communicate on our platforms should anything further happen,” OB announced on their website.

The 29-year-old striker became the top scorer in Allsvenskan with 15 goals in 2019, where he won the Swedish championship together with Djurgårdens IF.

Turay’s next move will be his eleventh professional club since his career with starting his career with Juventus IF in 2013.

Augustus Kargbo on target in Cesena's win over Pontedera
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo on target in Cesena’s win over Pontedera

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo scored Cesena’s fourth in the 4-0 thrashing of Pontedera in the Italian series C on Saturday.

Kargbo, 24, recorded his fourth of the campaign in eighteen appearances this season as they secured the top spot in the promotion race.

The visitors suffered from the start as they were unable to handle the home side’s direct football. 

Cristian Shpendi scored a hat-trick, and the win was finished off by Kargbo’s goal in the 37th minute of the first half. 

In the second half, Cesena controlled position and saw their victory with no response from the Granata.

On Sunday, Cesena will travel to Ancona as they maintain their position at the summit. 

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Zambia coach Avram Grant hopeful ahead of Morocco tie
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zambia coach Avram Grant hopeful ahead of Morocco tie

Zambia head coach Avram Grant has expressed optimism following his side’s draw against Tanzania on Sunday in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023. 

Tanzania were searching for their first Africa Cup of Nations win in 44 years but was dashed when Zambia snatched a late 1-1 Group F draw in San-Pedro.

Grant’s men scored late through Patson Daka’s header to rescue a draw against the Taifa Stars. 

“It’s a disappointing result. We knew it wouldn’t be an easy match after watching Tanzania’s match against Morocco. It’s true that we started well too but we conceded a goal quickly and that changed our tactics especially after the red card,” Grant told journalists in a post-match Interview.

“It’s difficult to play with ten players. But I’m happy with the boys’ reaction. They gave everything to come back.”

Zambia’s final group outing is against the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalist and favourites Morocco on Wednesday. 

Grant believes his team will show up and deliver against the Atlas Lions. 

“We already know that Morocco is a big team but we are not afraid of them. We will play them and I hope we will put up a good performance. We will have to show character,”

“That’s what we try to do every day, get better. And on all levels. Since I have been coaching this team, we have progressed in several areas but we must continue. Even when you become champion, you have to continue to improve the team.”

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Morocco held by DR Congo in Cup of Nations encounter
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco held by DR Congo in Cup of Nations encounter 

On Sunday, Les Léopards of DR Congo halted Atlas Lion’s perfect start following their 1-1 draw at the Stade Laurent Pokou in their Matchday two Africa Cup of Nations.

PSG’s defender Achraf Hakimi had given the Atlas Lions an early lead, but DR Congo rallied their equaliser through Silas Katompa Mvumpa.

Morocco came into the tie searching for their second win and took the lead just six minutes when Hakimi rifled home after being found up by Hakim Ziyech.

DR Congo was handed a lifeline when VAR awarded a penalty after a Moroccan handball in the box on 42 minutes. However, Cedric Bakambu squandered the golden opportunity to equalise.

The Leopards finally drew parity in the 76th-minutes when Silas Katompa Mvumpa converted Elia Meschack’s assist.

Despite the draw, Morocco remains top on four points, DR Congo second on two, and all still to play for in Group F.

Morocco faces Zambia next, while DR Congo tackles Tanzania in their final pool matches on Wednesday.

DR Congo striker Silas Katompa Mvumpa, who came to the Leopard’s rescue, expressed frustration in his post-match interview.

“There was room at the end for us to get all three points. We saw the Moroccans were tired and had opportunities,” Mvumpa, who was Man of the Match, told reporters.

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Guinea's win over Gambia delights Coach Kaba Diawara
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea’s win over Gambia delights Coach Kaba Diawara

Guinea coach Kaba Diawara was delighted after his side came out with a 1-0 victory over the Gambia on Friday’s match day two Group C encounter.

The Syli national took a pivotal step towards reaching the Cup of Nations 2023 last sixteen through Mohamed Bayo’s only goal.

“This victory is payback for that previous loss, which was so hard to take,” Diawara told reporters. Winning is more important because it shows we’ve improved over two years and worked hard to get better.”

The former Guinea international felt the performance highlighted their progress despite first-half struggles.

“What didn’t go well early on was our lack of efficiency, but after changes, things improved,” analysed Diawara.

“Creating chances is the hard part, now we just need to finish them off, and that will come in time.”

Gambia head coach Tom Saintfiet, on the other hand, remains optimistic. “In the first half Guinea were stronger but in the second period we raised our level more,” the Belgian stated.

“We can still qualify with three points in our next game,” Saintfiet noted of the Scorpions boss.

Guinea still has an uphill task against already-qualified Senegal in Tuesday’s West African derby. The Gambia must defeat Cameroon and see if they will be one of the best losers to make the last 16.

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