Category: Football Africa

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.

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

Baghdad Bounedjah rescues Algeria against Burkina Faso
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Baghdad Bounedjah rescues Algeria against Burkina Faso

Al Sadd striker Baghdad Bounedjah scored a brace as Algeria and Burkina-Faso played to a 2-2 all draw at the Stade de Bouake in their Cup of Nations match day two on Saturday.

As a result, the Stallions remain on top of Group D on four points, followed by Algeria on two points as Angola and Mauritania face off later in the day.

Baghdad Bounedjah bundles in Algeria’s leveller in the 51st minute from close range to cancel out Mohamed Konaté’s powerful header that was allowed to stand after a VAR check.

Bertrand Isidore Traoré’s 71st-minute spot-kick looked like they were on the verge of booking their Cup of Nations’ last sixteen spot – but another goal from Baghdad Bounedjah saw both teams share the spoils.

Bounedjah’s brace keeps his side’s chances of reaching the knockout phase of the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 alive.

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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.

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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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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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