Category: Football Africa

Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri leaves post after AFCON exit
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri leaves post after AFCON exit

Jalel Kadri has resigned as coach of the Tunisian national football team. The team finished bottom of Group E with only two points and failed to progress to the knockout stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Kadri, who led Tunisia to victory against France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, announced his resignation in a post-match television interview. 

He stated that his mission with the national team had come to an end. 

Tunisia had a disappointing performance in the AFCON, losing their opening match to Namibia and only managing a draw with Mali before being eliminated following a goalless draw with South Africa.

Tunisia failed to secure any victories in their matches against Ivory Coast, ending up last in Group E. This is quite a contrast to their performance 13 months ago when they beat France 1-0 at the World Cup in Qatar.

Hamza Rafia managed to score Tunisia’s 100th goal in the competition during their 1-1 draw with Mali. However, this was their only goal of the AFCON tournament.

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Ivory Coast face holders Senegal in Mouthwatering duel
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivory Coast face holders Senegal in a gripping duel 

The Ivory Coast, hosts of the 2023 Cup of Nations, will face off against in-form holders Senegal in an exciting last-sixteen duel at the Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro on Monday. 

Morocco’s 1-0 triumph over Zambia in Group F on Wednesday ensured Ivory Coast finished as the fourth-best third-place team for the knockout stage.

Les Éléphants, who have won the tournament twice before, will be eagerly desperate to improve their performance in front of their home fans. 

A great opportunity awaits the Ivory Coast national football team to showcase their fantastic players. However, they must now display more class after barely making it to the last sixteen.

In their final group game, Ivory Coast suffered a shocking 4-0 defeat by Equatorial Guinea, which led to the sacking of coach Jean-Louis Gasset and his assistant Ghislain Printant due to their unsatisfactory results in the tournament. 

But despite being the underdogs, the host nation should not be ruled out easily in a knockout encounter.

The last time they played was in an international friendly in March 2017 which ended in a 1-1 draw at Stade Charlety in Paris.

Aliou Cissé’s side has progressed to this stage with maximum points by defeating Cameroon, the Gambia, and Guinea, making them the favourites on paper.

Morocco and South Africa will face each other in the Round of 16 of the CAF AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023. Morocco, who were semifinalists in the World Cup, are the favourites to win the tournament, but they must first defeat Bafana Bafana on January 30 at the Laurent Pokou Stadium.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Saturday, January 27, at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan. Despite Cameroon’s shaky start, they will be confident of their chances against an unpredictable Nigerian side.

Nigeria is hoping to win the AFCON trophy after a decade, and Rigobert Song’s side is determined to make it their sixth AFCON title.

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Cup of Nations Ivory Coast hosts Sack Coach Gasset
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cup of Nations hosts Ivory Coast Sack Coach Gasset 

The Ivory Coast, who are hosting the 2023 Cup of Nations, have announced that they have parted ways with their coach, Jean-Louis Gasset, and his assistant, Ghislain Printant, after failing to achieve satisfactory results in the tournament. 

This announcement was made by the country’s football federation (FIF) on Wednesday. “The contracts of coach Jean-Louis Gasset and his assistant Ghislain Printant are terminated due to insufficient results,” the FIF said in a statement.”

The team was defeated 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea in their last Group A match on Monday, which leaves them on the brink of elimination from the tournament. 

Ivory Coast needed favourable results in Wednesday’s final group matches to reach the knock-out phase as one of the four best third-placed teams.

 The team has only failed to progress from the group phase once in the previous nine editions of the tournament, in 2017.

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Chris Hughton has been sacked as head coach of Ghana following their exit from the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Chris Hughton sacked as Ghana head coach after AFCON exit

Chris Hughton has been sacked as head coach of Ghana following their exit from the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.  

“The Executive Council has also decided to dissolve the technical team of the Black Stars,” Ghana FA said in their statement.

“The GFA will in the coming days provide a roadmap on the future direction of the Black Stars.”

The Black Stars embarrassingly finished on two points in Group B, drawing 2-2 with both Egypt and Mozambique following a 2-1 defeat by Cape Verde in their opener.

On Tuesday, despite all hopes of progressing as one of the four best-ranked third-placed sides, two late goals from Mozambique stunned Hughtons’ side. 

The former Newcastle United boss, who was appointed in February last year, had failed to guide his team to a single victory in Ivory Coast.

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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
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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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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