Tag Archives: African Nations Cup

Nigeria and Ghana battle the egos in Africa Cup of Nations buildup

Marseille's Andre Ayew
André Ayew
“There is a new mood of militancy about west African football. The buildup to previous Cups of Nations has often been dominated by will-he-won’t-he sagas as big-name players decide whether they really want to take a month out of the league season to go to play for their countries. This year, the coaches have hit back. The Ghana coach, Kwesi Appiah, on Monday omitted Marseille’s André Ayew from his squad after the Marseille winger reportedly turned up late for a squad get-together; he follows Nigeria’s Steve Keshi, who had already refused to select Peter Odemwingie and Shola Ameobi on the grounds they didn’t seem bothered enough about representing their country.” Guardian – Jonathan Wilson

Match-fixing scandal in South Africa overshadows Africa Cup of Nations

“So much for the World Cup legacy. As South Africa prepares to host the Africa Cup of Nations, it should have been celebrating the fact that it had the infrastructure to step in as host when civil war forced the tournament to be moved from Libya, showing off once again the infrastructure built for 2010. As it is, the South African Football Association is left dealing with a match-fixing scandal whose tentacles stretch across the world and that has forced its president and four other officials to stand down.” Guardian – Jonathan Wilson

Africa Cup of Nations qualifying is a rushed mess – but fascinating

“The qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations reach their climax this weekend. For 16 teams, the qualifiers also start this weekend. There surely can never have been a hastier, more flawed qualifying process for any tournament that presents itself as major. The result is that Ivory Coast and Senegal will pay each other on Saturday and then again on 12 October and, whoever wins over the two legs goes through. Whoever loses is out. Neither side has played any qualifiers before now. Both qualified for the Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon earlier this year, beginning the tournament as first and third favourites. They’ve done nothing wrong; just been unlucky with the draw.” Guardian – Jonathan Wilson

African Football and the Power Of Juju

“Superstitions are not uncommon in sport, and football and its players are no exception to this rule. From the greatest in the sport to the myriad others hoping to become so, weird practices/routines before, during or after the game are as much as a part of playing the game itself. Chelsea captain and England defender, John Terry apparently sits in the same place in the team bus. Former England and Manchester United defender, Gary Neville too admits to following set routines – same set of shoes, same belt, etc. In a desperate attempt to help his team get back to winning ways, Barry Fry, during his days as the Birmingham City manager, admitted to urinating in the 4 corners of the field. His team did fare much better, but Fry was soon kicked out.” In Bed With Maradona

Zambia gain redemption to stun Ivory Coast in Africa Cup of Nations

“Zambia 0-0 Ivory Coast (Zambia win 8-7 on pens). Stopila Sunzu began Sunday as an unheralded centre-back for the Congolese side TP Mazembe. He ended it as the unlikely hero of one of the greatest stories of redemption football has ever known. As Kalusha Bwalya, the greatest Zambian footballer of all time, was engulfed by the Zambia players after their victory in a penalty shoot-out, there were tears of joy but also tears born of the knowledge that this should have been his team-mates celebrating with him.” Guardian – Jonathan Wilson

Zambia 0-0 Ivory Coast: Zambia win the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations on penalties
“Zambia completed an astonishing victory on penalties after a tight final. Hervé Renard made the predictable but astute decision to switch to the team which ended the semi-final win over Ghana. That meant Emmanuel Mayuka starting upfront, Chisamba Lungu on the wing, and Isaac Chansa back in the centre. After plenty of rotation throughout the competition, François Zahoui went for an unchanged side from the XI which beat Mali in the semi-final. However, there was an early change for Zambia when left-back Joseph Musonda went down injured, and was replaced by Nyambe Mulenga, shown on the diagram.” Zonal Marking

Zambia’s triumph heals 19-year-old rift with Gabon over plane disaster
“Of all the extraordinary memories of the Africa Cup of Nations final, perhaps the most remarkable was the reaction of the crowd. In the aftermath of the 1993 plane crash that killed 18 Zambia players just after take-off after refuelling at Libreville, relations between Zambia and Gabon sunk to ugly lows.” Guardian – Jonathan Wilson

The 2012 African Cup Of Nations: The Final
“Cote D’Ivoire never had a chance. Whatever the multi-talents of their squad, the Elephants were going to struggle in this African Cup of Nations final…up against two teams. As if the Zambian side at this competition wasn’t good enough, there was the memory of their 1993 predecessors with which to contend, and the current squad’s hugely admirable determination to do justice to that memory. Arguably Zambia’s most-talented, all-but-one of the 1993 squad lost their lives in a plane crash off the Gabonese coast near capital Libreville – the venue for this year’s final – as they journeyed to a World Cup qualifier in Senegal.” twohundredpercent

Best and worst moments from the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations
“From the disappointment of Senegal, to Kily Alvarez’s goal and Ali Bongo’s wild celebration…” Guardian – Jonathan Wilson

Spot-kick drama secures fairytale title
“Zambia clinched their first African Nations Cup crown with a poignant penalty shoot-out win over Ivory Coast. Nineteen years after a plane crash which killed 18 members of their squad in Libreville, the Chipolopolo returned to the Gabon capital to record the most famous victory in the country’s history. A dramatic shoot-out at the end of 120 minutes of largely underwhelming football went the way of Zambia when Gervinho shot wide and Stophira Sunzu stepped up to slot home.” ESPN

Zambia may have destiny on their side

“Romantics will watch and read the story of the Zambian football team’s poignant visit to a Gabon beach with a tingling feeling on their skin as goosebumps form and a stinging in their eyes as they blink back tears. Few sporting tales cause such emotion and this one could not have been scripted any better.” ESPN

Zambia’s remarkable journey makes them winners regardless
“Together they walked slowly to the coastline, singing in unison. Once there, and despite the entourage, a gentle ocean breeze and the swish of waves kissing sand were the only sounds. A team, representing a nation, stood in silence. Those present laid flowers. A few said prayers, many shed tears. The coach Herve Renard stood solemnly behind his players and observed, a mix of pride, sorrow and conviction in his eyes. Kalusha Bwalya, the country’s greatest ever player, laid a wreath. Zambia united in grief and remembrance.” FourFourTwo

Mali 0 – 1 Ivory Coast

“The Ivory Coast set up an African Nations Cup final against Zambia after Gervinho’s solo goal saw them past Mali in Libreville. The Elephants will return to the same venue on Sunday seeking their second title after the Arsenal forward ran from his own half and slotted home. His side’s defence then kept their opponents at bay in the second half to ensure their progression to the final for the third time.” ESPN

Ivory Coast to face Zambia in African Nations Cup final
“Ivory Coast secured a place against Zambia in the African Nations Cup final after defeating Mali 1-0 in the semi-finals Wednesday. The two teams will face off in the Gabonese capital of Libreville on Sunday.” France24 (Video)

The 2012 African Cup Of Nations: The Semi-Finals”
“‘Check that’s not Jackie Chan, will you?’ after one particularly high challenge in the African Cup of Nations (ACN) semi-finals. Ah yes. Gary O’Reilly was back on Eurosport. And welcome back too. However, the most telling comment of any international football tournament is ‘no goals against.’ And that’s a quote from Cote D’Ivoire.” twohundredpercent

Zambia 1 – 0 Ghana

“Emmanuel Mayuka’s second-half strike was enough to send Zambia through to the final of the African Nations Cup as they upset ten-man Ghana in Bata. Star Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan was made to rue his seventh-minute penalty miss, and a host of other chances, as the unfancied Zambians reached the final for the first time in 18 years.” ESPN

Zambia 1-0 Ghana: Ghana fail to break down deep opposition and Zambia subs win it
“Emmanuel Mayuka came off the bench to score an excellent goal, and Zambia are in the final. Zambia coach Herve Renard made a couple of surprising moves, dropping Mayuka to bring James Chamanga in the side upfront. He also went more defensive in midfield, meaning no place for the tricky Chisamba Lungu, and Isaac Chanca pushed out wide. Ghana coach Goran Stefanovic was without Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, so Derek Boateng started in the centre of midfield. Sulley Muntari was only on the bench, with Kwadwo Asamoah and the Ayew brothers supporting Asamoah Gyan.” Zonal Marking

The 2012 African Cup Of Nations: The Quarter-Finals
“They huffed and puffed. And Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana, Africa’s two best footballing nations according to Fifa’s rankings (so it must be true), are looking good to contest Sunday’s African Cup of Nations final, without looking good in getting there. That said, they form half of what was nearly a semi-final line-up that some (i.e. me) thought ideal – the two favourites against the two most exciting and capable underdogs. Zambia have been in that latter category literally from day one and their expansive first-half display against tournament flops Senegal. Co-hosts Gabon, and their vibrant young side with a vibrant old centre-forward, would have been ideal semi-finalist number four.” twohundredpercent

A life less ordinary
“Almost anywhere in the world you can get a t-shirt with a variation of the expression, ‘Football is life, everything else is only detail,’ emblazoned on it. In most places the actual meaning of that slogan is nothing. It’s cute, it’s catchy, it speaks to the dedication, commitment, passion and even obsession of lovers of the game but it still does not amount to anything but words.” ESPN

Miracle man Kalusha Bwalya behind Zambia’s rise as they take on Ghana

“Look at all that is good about Zambian football and you will see the hand of Kalusha Bwalya. He scored a hat-trick when Zambia beat Italy at the 1988 Olympics. After the air-crash of 1993 had wiped out almost the entire team, he was the rallying point the new side was built around. And, as Zambia look to reach their first Cup of Nations final since that remarkable renaissance side of 1994 in Wednesday’s semi-final against Ghana, it is Kalusha, now president of the football federation, who drew the blueprint.” Guardian – Jonathan Wilson

Africa Cup of Nations 2012: Mali’s heroes weep for a nation at war
“There were a lot of tears in Libreville on Sunday. There were the tears of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, overwhelmed by having missed the decisive penalty in Gabon’s shootout defeat to Mali and there were the tears of Seydou Keita as he used his side’s progress to the semi-final for the first time in 10 years to highlight the crisis overwhelming his country.” Guardian – Jonathan Wilson

Ghana ‘lucky’ to be in Nations Cup semi-finals

Zambia 3-0 Sudan
“Ghana have admitted they are lucky to have reached the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, after being gifted a quarter-final winner by Tunisia.” BBC

African Cup Of Nations: Ivory Coast, Ghana on collision course
“Thoughts on the winners from the African Cup of Nations quarterfinals…” SI

Six points on Ghana 2-1 Tunisia
“Ghana replicated the Ivory Coast’s tendency to rely on opposition mistakes and set-pieces to get their goals. Forcing errors in the opposition is a large part of attacking, and dead ball situations make up a high percentage of goals at any level of football. But the dependency on those two avenues is a damning indictment of the lack of creativity in the two sides considered to the best in the tournament. A final between the two is probable, but it could turn into a defensive stand-off.” Zonal Marking

Ivory Coast 3-0 Equatorial Guinea: Ivory Coast reliant on set-pieces and mistakes
“The individual quality of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure proved too much for Equatorial Guinea, but the Ivory Coast are yet to convince. Ivory Coast coach Francois Zahoui has made plenty of changes to his side in this competition – always in a 4-3-3 shape. He seems keen to utilise his strong squad, and almost every position aside from the goalkeeper and centre-backs has seen rotation.” Zonal Marking

What’s stopping you, Kenya?

Watching the current African Cup Of Nations (ACON), it is somewhat tellingly awkward how there isn’t a stronger presence from countries from East Africa, although the same could be said for almost every ACON and since it began. The harsh reality for teams from that region is that for all the players they might have, what often trips them up is perpetual incompetence of the football administrations of these countries. With bickering in the upper echelons of the footballing set-up, the final product on the pitch is often scrappy and beset with constant managerial changes and poor organisation.” Just Football

Why Senegal should not make a scapegoat out of coach Amara Traoré

“They came with great expectations and the most vaunted forward line in the tournament, but Senegal limped home from the Africa Cup of Nations having lost all three of their matches. In the usual run of things, you’d expect the coach, Amara Traoré not to be long for his job. A scapegoat, says the logic of international football, must be found, and the coach is as convenient a figure to sacrifice as anybody.” Guardian – Jonathan Wilson

Why Senegal failed to shine at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations
“To really grasp the nature of Senegal’s spectacular failure at this Africa Cup of Nations you need only look at the teams who finished above them in Group A. For Senegal to finish below Equatorial Guinea is surprising, unfathomable even. But to finish below Libya, given the vast gap in quality and wildly differing paths they travelled before meeting in Bata, is astonishing.” FourFourTwo

Kily keen to upset the odds for Equatorial Guinea against Ivory Coast
“Kily usually chugs up and down the right flank for the Spanish fourth-flight side Langreo. His chance of making it big in football seemed to have gone when Atlético Madrid released him – after 44 games for their B side – in 2008. But last week, he became the first hero of this year’s Cup of Nations as he arced a last-minute 25-yarder into the top corner to give Equatorial Guinea victory over Senegal, and take them through to Saturday’s quarter-final, in which they’ll meet Ivory Coast. Suddenly, he was a man in demand: there was talk of offers from teams in Russia and Saudi Arabia, while it’s safe to say that, barring something astonishing at the weekend, he will remain his adopted nation’s most celebrated player for some time.” Guardian – Jonathan Wilson

African Cup of Nations a wonderful spectacle for both host and fans

“This has been a tournament that has restored the joy to African soccer. Without the traditional powers of Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt, it is as if a great weight both of expectation and fear has been lifted. Only Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana are playing with the albatross of favoritism around their necks, and both have been notably cautious in their opening matches; everybody else seems liberated, as though the subconscious dread of humiliation at the hands of one of the great names has gone (Botswana, who lost by a record 6-1 to Guinea, might regret that). It has been a tournament of fluid, constant attack.” SI – Jonathan Wilson

Sudan the big positive but Angola stagger home despite the swagger
“Before Monday night it had been 42 years since Sudan had last won a game at the Africa Cup of Nations. Now, thanks to Mudathir El Tahir’s two goals against Burkina Faso and Angola’s supine display against the Ivory Coast, they are in the quarter-final, where they will face Zambia. It is deserved progress, too; Sudan have lacked a little self-belief and did their best to self-destruct against Angola, but when they have forgotten themselves and simply played, the Falcons of Jediane (they used to be the Nile Crocodiles, but have rebranded since the split with the south) have been the most coherent passing side in Group B, more fluent even than the self-conscious Ivorians.” Guardian – Jonathan Wilson

Senegal left soul-searching
“For some, a road without any obstacles can be just as tricky to travel on as one that is punctured with potholes. Some like Senegal. Without record-breaking continental giants Egypt, heavyweights Cameroon and Nigeria in the ongoing African Nations Cup (ANC), the path was considered clear for the likes of them, Ghana or Ivory Coast to emerge champions. But, Senegal will not get anywhere near the trophy after finishing Group A in last place. They limped out of the tournament without a single victory, despite being FIFA ranked the highest of the four teams in their pool, 20 places above the nearest challenger, Libya.” ESPN

The 2012 African Cup Of Nations: Group Stage Round 2
“Sudan went into this tournament having failed to score an ACN goal since 1976. Bet you didn’t know that at kick-off against Angola last Thursday. Bet you were sick of hearing it by full-time. Sudan broke this goalscoring duck (36 years, you know) moments after Eurosport’s Matt Jackson declared he didn’t know where their next goal is coming from. So Ahmed Bashir’s header meant that he and Dan O’Hagan could stop talking about Sudan’s ’36-year’ goalscoring drought. Unfortunately, they chose not to – almost as if Eurosport’s crib sheet only had one fact.” twohundredpercent

Tunisia – The team to beat at ACoN 2012?
“For a team that could just as easily be sitting at home watching on TV, they made a pretty good start. Tunisia were seconds away from going the way of Egypt, Cameroon and Nigeria in this competition last October. With Malawi 2-1 up against Chad going into stoppage time, the South East African nation were about to cause another Africa Cup of Nations upset by sneaking to the finals alongside Botswana.” FourFourTwo

Unfancied co-hosts Equatorial Guinea sparkle in the rain

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“The radio coverage was two or three seconds ahead of the television coverage, something that first became apparent 58 minutes into Equatorial Guinea’s game against Senegal. Roars could be heard across the city, followed by a great groan of disappointment. On the screen I was watching in Banapa, the district of Malabo around the city’s stadium, the winger Randy was still loping into the right side of the box at the stadium at Bata on the mainland. As two defenders went to close him down, he squared towards Fidjeu.” Guardian – Jonathan Wilson

One year on: Egyptian football after the revolution

“Prior to the Egyptian revolution, football was one of the main sources of bliss for Egyptians. The past few years were deemed the golden age of Egyptian football with the national team winning the last three African Cups of Nations while also putting in outstanding performances against the likes of Brazil and Italy. Whenever kickoff time neared, Egyptians around the world would huddle around televisions sets with their flags in hand or painted on their faces. It was always a festive mood after victories. Egyptians would quickly flood the streets singing and dancing to the sounds of tablas (African drums) and non-stop car honks throughout the night.” Just Football (Video)

Côte d’Ivoire’s Golden Generation looks to shed underachiever tag

“There are some moments in soccer that stay with you, snippets of action that seem to represent a wider trend. One such came in 2008, in Kumasi, Ghana, in the semifinal of the African Cup of Nations. Côte d’Ivoire, with one of the greatest generations of players any African nation has ever produced, faced Egypt, the team who had beaten it on penalties in the final in Cairo two years earlier.” SI – Jonathan Wilson

African Nations Cup preview

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“There was widespread carnage in the qualifiers for the 2012 African Nations Cup as some of the continent’s biggest names failed to make the cut – most notably the reigning champions Egypt, who finished bottom of their group.” World Soccer

Group C: African Cup of Nations Preview (Gabon, Morocco, Niger, Tunisia)
“We’ve looked at Demba Ba and friends in Group A and contemplated Côte d’Ivoire in Group B. Just Football’s team-by-team African Cup of Nations 2012 group previews continues now with a look at Group C. Follow us on Twitter or subscribe to Just Football to get all the latest news from Just Football at the African Cup of Nations and beyond.” Just Football – Group C, Group D: African Cup of Nations Preview (Botswana, Ghana, Guinea, Mali)

2012 Africa Cup of Nations
“The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations is the 28th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It will be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.[1] The two countries won the right to host the tournament after defeating a Nigerian bid along with two other bid winning nations, Angola and Libya. Bids from Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Senegal were rejected.” Wikipedia

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BBC

Africa Cup of Nations: Libya team a symbol of hope for nation renewed

“Ask around and the consensus is that Libya’s best player is the midfielder Tariq al-Taib. He has twice finished in the top 10 of the voting for African Player of the Year, had successful stints in Tunisia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and captained the national side the last time they reached the finals of the Cup of Nations, in 2006. When Libya walk out at the Estadio de Bata on Saturday to face Equatorial Guinea in the opening game of the 28th Cup of Nations, though, Taib will not be there.” Guardian – Jonathan Wilson

Group A: African Cup of Nations Preview (Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Senegal, Zambia)

“No introductions, you know what this is. The African Cup of Nations 2012, in all its resplendent glory. This will be the 28th edition of the Cup of Nations and the third covered on Just Football after 2008 and 2010. For a general 2012 tournament preview and background head here – I will be writing a regular column for FourFourTwo throughout the competition. Here I present to you Just Football’s previews…” Just Football, Group B: African Cup of Nations 2012 Preview (Angola, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Sudan)

African Cup’s impact on Premier League

Didier Drogha
“In some quarters, the Africa Cup of Nations is considered a huge problem for Premier League teams, a key obstacle to progress. Yet the reality is that the competition is irrelevant for the majority of clubs, a minor inconvenience for some and a large hindrance for very few.” ESPN

Football In Djibouti

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“An East African country not known for its footballing exploits, but mostly for its economic and social issues ranging from high unemployment, lack of education, poverty, prostitution and high cost of living. The country that I’ll be talking about in which a reported 90% of its people play the beautiful sport is Djibouti. The football federation in Djibouti (FDF) was established in 1979, two years after the country gained its independence from France in 1977. The FDF joined CAF in 1986 and FIFA, eight years later in 1994. The national side played its first ever match a couple of years after World War 2 in 1947 on the first of May against neighbors Ethiopia when the country was under the name of “French Somaliland”, which they lost 5-0.” In Bed With Maradona

Football In Sudan

“This East African country has suffered through so much ever since its independence from Britain in 1956. From two civil wars due to religious persecution, differences involving a person’s language, ethnicity and of course political power caused the death of millions and the displacement of millions more. This country has been accused of being a haven for terrorists leading to years of international sanctions imposed against them and its people, as well as suffering through one of the worst humanitarian crises of recent times in Darfur. The country that I’m talking about is Africa’s largest nation, Sudan.” In Bed With Maradoma

Seven keys to success for Bradley

“He sat behind the table in his navy blue suit and light blue shirt. Cameras flashed in front of him. Pursed lips and a sly smile occupied the face, but it was all in his eyes. His eyes took everything in: the body language of the people there, the mannerisms. The frenzied hand gestures of the people he will serve. Marco Tardelli’s appointment as Egypt boss in 2004 had crazed the nation. His exploits as an Italian legend preceded him. The expectation was huge. Fans wanted to get to the next World Cup in Germany badly. Egypt’s long search had begun after the previous African Nations Cup in Tunisia had ended with Mohsen Saleh unable to lead them past the group stage.” ESPN

Africans in European football: the best of 2010-2011?

“It’s been another momentous year for African footballers, with players from the continent involved in title-winning sides in Spain, Italy, France and Germany. Others have won a domestic cup, although the biggest trophy on offer ended up in the hands of Mali’s Seydou Keita after his Barcelona side destroyed Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday.” BBC

Gabon and High Expectations

“Perhaps the thing that Gabonese football has been mentioned for most in recent years is its national team’s respectable FIFA World Ranking although not for the reasons you might think. The upcoming African Cup of Nations could change all that…” In Bed With Maradona

Rwanda: The rising star of Africa

“Rwanda is a country that still bears the scars of its recent past. Just seventeen years ago 850,000 people were murdered as post-colonial tensions spilled over into a genocide that was perpetrated by members of the Hutu ethnic community against the Tutsi people. Powerful memories of those brutal days still reverberate throughout modern Rwanda, but today the country is one of contemporary Africa’s greatest success stories.” The Equaliser

2011 African Nations Championship: A Preview

African Nations Championship – Uganda
“While the Asian Cup may be drawing to a conclusion with Japan facing Australia in the final on Saturday, keen observers of international football don’t have long to wait until their next fix. The second African Nations Championship (CHAN) gets underway on 4th February in Sudan, a tournament similar to the Africa Cup on Nations but with the fundamental difference that it is open only to players who play their football in their domestic leagues.” The Equaliser

African Champions League: Renewed hope for Esperance

“Jonathan Wilson recalls the events that took place in the final of the African Champions League ten years ago, the last time Tunisian giants Esperance got that far. On Sunday they’re looking to make amends for that fateful afternoon…” (Betting)

AFCON Qualifying: Matchday 2 Preview

“This weekend, the qualifying for the next African Cup of Nations in 2012 starts and, as usual, there’s intrigue all round. The first round of games saw some surprises, with 2010 AFCON hosts Angola, Algeria, Mali, Morocco, Egypt and Togo hitting bumps on the very long road to Gabon/Equatorial Guinea. We had injuries galore, politics, new appointments and the potpourri that makes African football so colourful. In a guest piece for The Equaliser, Gary Al-Smith runs the rule over the upcoming fixtures and assesses the prospects of Africa’s qualification hopefuls.” (Equaliser Football)

Whatever happened to Senegal?

“Cast your mind back, if you will, eight years to the 2002 World Cup. It’s a sultry night in Seoul and France, defending champions and one of the hot favourites for the title, are facing Senegal, a country playing its first ever game in a World Cup finals. A momentary lapse in concentration sees Youri Djorkaeef loses possession on the half-way line and the Senegalese break with Omar Daf putting El-Hadji Diouf – a relatively unknown forward plying his trade for Lens – away down the left side. Diouf, balanced and composed, comes slightly in-field and reaches the by-line before cutting the ball back into the box.” (The Equaliser)

TP Mazembe and the Congolese regeneration

“Ever since enjoying a golden period of success during the late sixties Congolese football has struggled to become an established and consistent force on the international stage, the national side only ever having qualified for one World Cup – a humiliating experience in the country’s former guise as Zaire in 1974 – and producing little in the way of top-class talent.” (The Equaliser)

From the World Expo to the World Cup: Field Notes From the New Economy

“I started the week at the World Expo in Shanghai and ended it at the World Cup in Cape Town. Both events offer a spectrum of perspectives on what is really happening in the world economy today.” (Huffington Post)

Corruption, disorganization blamed for Africa’s poor showing at Cup

“So much for the boost African sides were supposed to receive from the first African World Cup. Only Ghana made it through to the last 16, and had Serbia been awarded the late penalty it deserved in its defeat to Australia — and converted it — the Black Stars would also have been on the way home. Had that happened, Africa would not have had a representative in the second phase of the World Cup for the first time since 1982.” (SI)

Notes from South Africa 2010: Xenophobia and Humanity

“Everywhere you turn in South Africa, FIFA has papered walls and billboards with the slogan ‘Ke Nako. Celebrate Africa’s Humanity.’ At first glance it seems banal and harmless. But the more I see it, the more it bothers me. First, there is something discomforting in seeing the large trademark symbol inserted next to every use of the slogan. Can you really trademark ‘Africa’s Humanity?’ Isn’t that exactly the kind of neo-imperialism an African World Cup is supposed to counter?” (Pitch Invasion)

Post-Invictus: South Africa’s Greatest Soccer Moment

“In early 1996, as the above quote emphasizes, it was South Africa’s Bafana Bafana soccer team—not its rugby ‘Springboks’—that captured South Africa’s imagination. Yet, in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup, the American media has constructed a history implying that the most important sports moment in South African history was their victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup. This construction is thanks largely to Clint Eastwood’s rendition of those events in Invictus (which was released in DVD last week, ensuring further pre-World Cup attention), though ESPN has also chimed in with a documentary entitled The 16th Man. I prefer the ESPN documentary because it includes some genuine South African voices, but I also find it fascinating that in the hype around that Rugby World Cup the media seems to be missing a somewhat analogous soccer moment that came about seven months ‘post-Invictus:’ South Africa’s victory in the 1996 African Cup of Nations.” (Pitch Invasion)

Soccer legend who supports all African teams – and Brazil

Luis Fabiano
“The African footballer of the century clutches an icepack against his cheek. He is hurting. ‘I like to chew bones, turkey bones,’ mumbles George Weah, in a Liberian accent that further complicates comprehension. Watching television one day he got distracted and bit too hard. Visiting the Netherlands last weekend, Weah spent a lot of time with Dutch dentists. In between he talked about Africa and the coming World Cup in South Africa – and about whether it will be an ‘African’ World Cup.” (FI – Simon Kuper)

Undercurrents of Violence at the World Cup

Emmanuel Adebayor
“How easy it is to forget that athletes at their peak are, by the very nature of their tasks, young but expected to be wise in their event, world-traveled but isolated and vulnerable. This week, Emmanuel Adebayor, the goal scorer for Manchester City, gave up the captaincy and, he said, the calling to ever play again for his country, Togo. He is 26 and a millionaire, and he said he just cannot get out of his head the day in January when Angolan separatists fired on the Togo team bus, killing three people in it.” (NYT)

African Teams Certain on World Cup, but Not on Coaches

“A World Cup campaign is usually a four-year process that starts when a national team engages in torturous self-examination immediately after its ouster from the last championship. Coaches are fired (or their contracts are not renewed) and aging players retire from the international scene. Even the winner is often in need of a new manager to enliven the roster and refresh tactics for the interspersed continental championship and next phase of World Cup qualifying.” (NYT)

Stereotyping the African: 99 Days to a Change of Imagination?

Abou Diaby
“An article by Jonathan Wilson in the Guardian today asks an interesting question for those of us who grew up in an era in which West African football was the realm of skilled artists such as Abedi Pele, George Weah, Roger Milla, and exciting teams like the ‘original’ Nigerian Super Eagles who played swashbuckling, imaginative football. In a piece that starts out by discussing Egypt’s tactical formation (very interesting as well), he goes on to ask…” (Soccer Politics)

Analysing Africa’s World Cup contenders

“Egypt coach Hassan Shehata may find he’s exceptionally popular over the next few months – not so much because he’ll be permanently swimming in a sea of congratulations, more because the world’s leading coaches may want to pick his brain. For the wily 60-year-old beat no less than four – Nigeria, Cameroon, Algeria and Ghana – of Africa’s six World Cup finalists en route to winning January’s Nations Cup in Angola. And Nigeria, who have since sacked coach Shaibu Amodu, are pursuing the ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ route, with Shehata now wanted for one of football’s hottest jobs. Though it does appear that approach has been blocked by the Egypt Football Association.” (BBC – Piers Edwards)

The African Nations Cup never overcame its tragic start

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“Egypt provided the fairy-tale finish to an African Nations Cup that had a nightmare start and will, ultimately, go down as a completely forgettable event. The death of two members of the Togo delegation, plus the bus driver, in an attack in the disputed Cabinda region threw the tournament into turmoil before it had even kicked off, and the vagaries of competing in a country blessed with oil riches but scant people-resources seemed to take a toll on the playing standards.” (World Soccer), (1)

The Monday Miscellany – Africa Cup of Nations Special

“In the history of stupid decisions made by sport’s governing bodies, it is difficult to find one which compares, for sheer crassness, with that of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to ban Togo for the next two Africa Cups of Nations. Togo, you will surely not need reminding, were attacked by terrorists in Cabinda on the eve of the tournament. Three men died and others were seriously injured. Everybody, it is safe to imagine, would have been seriously traumatized by the assault.” (Footballing World)

Egypt’s Three-peat – The Latter Stages Of The African Cup Of Nations

“The climax to Group C summed up this Cup of Nations, a curate’s egg of a tournament which ran out of good football from the second week onwards. A tournament during which the look of delight on the face of one CAF official when Algeria beat Cote D’Ivoire turned to horror when he remembered that Algeria played Egypt next. A tournament during which the players from the English Premier League, the “best” league in the world, were almost uniformally rubbish. And a tournament which ended with the unfeasibly fierce-looking Egyptian coach Hassan Shehata managing a smile at the end which made him look even more fierce. I’ll be having the nightmares for a while.” (twohundredpercent)

Africa Cup of Nations 2010: A Tournament Best Forgotten?
“The 2010 Africa Cup of Nations is over. Though I usually love the tournament, I won’t be remembering this edition fondly. For several reasons.” (World Cup Blog)

Four things I learned from the Africa Cup of Nations
“1) There is no one at the CAF fit to manage football. The choice of Angola to host the tournament in the first place was bizarre, given that it’s a quasi-Communist autocracy in the midst of a long and bloody civil war (which stipulated that, as a nation-building exercise, many of the games in this tournament would be held in the home of the hopeful secessionists). How the tournament actually panned out made the rejected bids of places like Zimbabwe and Mozambique look sweet by comparison.” (The 90th Minute)

Questions and Representations in the Year of African Soccer
“Finally, after an eventful January, I’ve got some answers to the big questions for this year of African soccer. Was Angola 2010 a success or a failure? Yes. Will the World Cup in South Africa be a success or a failure? Yes. Let me try to explain.” (Pitch Invasion)

Video: Egypt 1 – Ghana 0 (Africa Cup of Nations 2010 Final Highlights)

“Egypt successfully defended their Africa Cup of Nations title earlier today courtesy of substitute Mohamed Nagui’s strike five minutes from time. The victory sees for Egypt become the first team to win the Africa Nations Cup three times in succession and seven times overall.” (Football Fashion)

Questions and Representations in the Year of African Soccer

“Finally, after an eventful January, I’ve got some answers to the big questions for this year of African soccer. Was Angola 2010 a success or a failure? Yes. Will the World Cup in South Africa be a success or a failure? Yes. Let me try to explain.” (Pitch Invasion)

Caf decision over Togo makes no sense

“Not since Buckingham Palace took so long to respond Princess Diana’s death in 1997 has an organisation so badly misjudged the mood of the public. For the decision by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to expel Togo from the next two Africa Cup of Nations – following their Angola 2010 withdrawal after their team bus was machine-gunned (with two team officials dying) – is simply jaw-dropping. Before we get into the whys and wherefores, let’s just clarify why the Togolese have been suspended. In the statement they released on Saturday, Caf said the following… ” (BBC – Piers Edwards)

Super-sub Gedo lands Egypt title

“Super-sub Mohamed Gedo scored the only goal five minutes from time to help Egypt defend their African Nations Cup crown with victory over brave Ghana. The Pharaohs, who struggled to create many openings through the game, looked unlikely to score as the game drifted towards extra-time – until the Ittihad striker struck his fifth goal of the competition to break the resilience of their opponents.” (ESPN)

Ghana 0-1 Egypt
“Egypt secured a record seventh Africa Cup of Nations title, after beating Ghana 1-0 in a tense final in Angola. Substitute Mohamed Gedo scored the only goal of the game, playing a neat one-two before curling a superb shot past Richard Kingson in the 85th minute.” (BBC)

Soccer plays a critical role in Africa

“The Africa Cup of Nations is traditionally fought tooth and nail as regional rivals duke it out to claim continental bragging rights. This year’s competition, now at the final stage, has felt sorely lacking; more Maui Invitational than March Madness. The play of local Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Nigeria has been particularly uneven, triggering a rush of critics to downgrade bullish predictions made so confidently after the World Cup draw.” (ESPN)

Nigeria 1-0 Algeria – Recap and Video Highlights – CAF 2010 Africa Cup of Nations 3rd Place – Saturday, January 30, 2010

“Nigeria and Algeria, who both lost in the semifinals, played for third place in the CAF 2010 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, January 30, 2010. While it was a disappointment for both sides to not reach the final, a third place victory would be a good accomplishment. The match was in front of 15,000 spectators at the Abuja Stadium.” (The 90th Minute)

African Cup of Nations online coverage review

“I’ve been watching this year’s African Cup of Nations in a weird twilight kind of world. As the games are on during the afternoon and early evening, I’ve been recording them, and trying to watch them ‘as live’ late at night. This is taking Bob and Terry’s task to new heights, as it is pretty damn hard to avoid the scores when you work in a news organisation that is doing minute-by-minute coverage of the key matches. Nevertheless, at the moments when I have been up-to-date with the scores, I’ve been looking at the online coverage of the event.” (currybet – 1: UK, 2: African newspapers, 3: African newspapers, 4: British and American online newspapers)

Haiti’s Goal

“There have been goals in Benguela, Cabinda, Luanda and Lubango, but no goals are being scored in the Stade Slyvio Cator in Port-au-Prince. Haiti’s goalposts don’t exist anymore. Angolans paused for Haiti before every Quarter Final, the carnage of their own wars against colonialism and as proxies in the Cold War never far from their thoughts. A nation blessed by the curse of geology showing solidarity with their brothers and sisters, torn asunder by the earth’s crust, an ocean apart.” (Football Is Coming Home)

Algeria 0-4 Egypt: Sweet Revenge / How To Lose The Plot Completely

“Sometimes football can throw up the most appropriate of metaphors. A red rag to a bull almost couldn’t describe Egypt’s 4-0 thrashing of Algeria any better, from the suave matador-like performance of the holders to the mad angry rage of the Algerians. And, as if to hammer home the point, Egypt played in red. The bull ring parallels here are perfect.” (Just Football)

Algeria 0 – 4 Egypt“Defending champions Egypt strolled into the final of the African Nations Cup as eight-man Algeria bowed out in ignominious fashion. The game was evenly poised until Rafik Halliche felled Emad Moteab in the box eight minutes before the break, earning a red card for his troubles, and Hosni Abd Rabou converted the spot-kick. Mohamed Zidan added a classy second after 65 minutes before Nadir Belhadj saw red for a horror challenge on Ahmed El Mohamady five minutes later.” (ESPN)

Algeria 0-4 Egypt
“Egypt strolled through to their third successive Africa Cup of Nations final, overcoming Algeria 4-0, with their great rivals finishing with eight men. Hosni Abd Rabou put Egypt ahead from the spot, after Algeria’s Rafik Halliche was sent-off for the foul. Mohamed Zidan doubled the lead, before Mohamed Abdelshafi made it three and Mohamed Gedo completed the rout.” (BBC)

Fans on Edge Before African Cup Semifinal

“Just as the general sense of outrage and anger that followed Egypt’s 0-1 loss in a decisive World Cup qualifying match against Algeria was starting to fade, both teams are now set to face each other in the semifinal of the African Cup in Angola on Thursday.” (NYT)

Barcelona’s record-breaking 2009 will be hard to repeat in 2010

“For Real Madrid, the best thing about 2009 was that it did, eventually, draw to a close. For Barcelona, that could be their only complaint. Their task now is to dominate in another year too, to ensure that this is not a one-off, to build a lasting legacy. The cliche says getting to the top is one thing, staying there is even harder; that the second season is even more difficult than the first.” (World Soccer – 1), (2 -Barcelona’s Annus mirabilis will be hard to emulate)

Gyan goal seals finals berth

“Asamoah Gyan scored the only goal to help a well-organised Ghana book their place in the African Nations Cup final with a battling victory over regional rivals Nigeria. The only goal came midway through the first half when a Kwadwo Asamoah corner caught out the napping Super Eagles defence and the in-form Rennes striker applied the finishing touches.” (ESPN)

Fierce rivalries set to dominate semi-finals

“Many spectators attending Sunday’s quarter-final in Luanda were surprised to be handed condoms upon entry – with the donors perhaps mindful of how an earlier victory had prompted some Angolans to parade naked through the streets. Either way, the message seemed to be – ‘Make love, not war’ – which, even though the Ghanaians punctured their hosts’ happy bubble, was timely. For last night, Egypt beat Cameroon 3-1 to set up a repeat of their intense World Cup play-off against bitter foes Algeria, a game that sparked outbreaks of violence and enormous tensions across the Arab world.” (BBC)

Egypt-Algeria rivalry spills deeper
“Hosni Mubarak isn’t a man accustomed to defeat. The Egyptian president, after all, has been in charge for more than 30 years, outflanking regional and global rivals with consummate ease. Even Egypt’s electoral process offers him scant chance of coming second: He romped during the 2005 elections with almost 90 percent of the vote.” (SI)

Cameroon fury as Hassan ‘goal’ helps Egypt progress
“Defending champions Egypt became the third team to reach the semi-finals of the Africa
Cup of Nations last night, overcoming Cameroon 3-1 after extra time in a match marred by a controversial third goal in Benguela.” (Independent)

The Footballl History Between Egypt & Algeria
“Tomorrow is the African Nations Cup’s semifinals match between Egypt and Algeria and everybody is already tensed about this (pay back) match for the Egyptians and (survival for the fittest) match for the Algerians. I just hope this will pass with no violence between the two teams or among the supporters.” (DailyIntake)

Revenge not an issue for Gomaa
“Wael Gomaa insists defending champions Egypt are not thinking about revenge ahead of their African Nations Cup semi-final against arch rivals Algeria. The two north-African giants meet in Benguela for the right to face either Ghana or Nigeria who will clash in the other last-four clash, a derby from the west of the continent.” (ESPN)

Angola players back coach Manuel Jose to stay on
“Two senior Angolan players have told BBC Sport that they want Manuel Jose to continue as coach of the national team in the wake of their elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations. The Palancas Negras were beaten 1-0 by Ghana in the quarter-finals on Sunday, leaving several players in tears in front of their home crowd.” (BBC)

Amodu confident of Nigeria success
“Shaibu Amodu admits traditional rivalry will be an added incentive when Nigeria come up against Ghana in the African Nations Cup semi-final but is confident his team can prevail. The two west African giants clash in Luanda in one of two final-four derbies – the other seeing Egypt take on Algeria in the battle of the north – as the tournament reaches its closing stages.” (ESPN)

Ghana v Nigeria: The media view

“Fierce west African rivals Ghana and Nigeria are preparing to face each other in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, in one of the biggest games between the two in recent years. Here, we ask our reporters in the two countries to gauge the contrasting moods in the Ghanaian and Nigerian press ahead of Thursday’s crunch tie.” (BBC)

‘Match of Hate,’ Renewed
“With the taste of World Cup defeat still lingering, Egypt will have a chance to face down its archrival Algeria — again — when the teams play in the African Cup of Nations semifinal Thursday in Benguela, Angola. The two North African teams played two fiercely contested matches late last year to determine the final spot in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The meetings were marred by violence and controversy.” (NYT)

Algeria plan to airlift fans to Angola for Egypt semi
“The Algerian government says it has plans to airlift hundreds of its fans to Angola for the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Egypt. Thousands of Algerian fans were flown into Sudan last November as they beat Egypt 1-0 in a World Cup play-off game. The minister of foreign affairs Mourad Medcli says plans are already in place.” (BBC)

Super Eagles edge through after shoot-out
“Vincent Enyeama was the hero for Nigeria saving one penalty and then scoring the crucial final one to help his side seal a place in the African Nations Cup semi-finals with a shoot-out victory over Zambia. The Super Eagles, outplayed for large parts of the clash in Lubango, looked to be heading for the exit door after struggling in the face of their determined opponents, who did everything apart from finding the back of the net during the 120 minutes of open play.” (ESPN)

African Nations Cup 2010
(ESPN)

Another late surprise in the Africa Cup of Nations

“When Ivory Coast winger Kader Keita scored from long range in the 89th minute it looked as though the pre-tournament favourites would reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals. But Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra headed in two minutes later, before Hameur Bouazza of Blackpool won it three minutes into extra time. Algeria will face Egypt or Cameroon on Thursday. If Bouazza represents his country in the summer’s World Cup he will become to first Blackpool representative in that competition since Alan Ball in 1966.” (WSC)

Egypt 3 – 1 Cameroon
“Two goals in five minutes at the start of extra-time helped defending champions Egypt book their place in the African Nations Cup semi-final with a battling victory over Cameroon. The game, though, was marred by a controversial third goal by Pharaohs’ captain Ahmed Hassan which was allowed to stand by referee Jerome Damon despite replays showing the ball had clearly not crossed the line.” (ESPN)

Caf president Issa Hayatou defiant over Togo attack
“The Confederation of African Football (Caf) will never give in to “terrorism”, the ruling body’s president Issa Hayatou has said. The Cameroonian was speaking to assembled media for the first time since an attack on Togo’s team bus killed two of their delegation as well as an Angolan driver, while Togo goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale continues to recover in hospital.” (BBC)

African Nations Cup 2010 Fixtures/Results
(ESPN)

Hosts braced for knockout football

“Extra spice is rarely needed in knockout football but Sunday’s main course – the opening quarter-final between hosts Angola and World Cup finalists Ghana – was given a heady dose yesterday as tempers flared in the capital. Like other journalists, I was calmly awaiting a Ghana press conference in central Luanda’s Hotel Presidente when it all, quite literally, kicked off. Downstairs, it turned out, an accredited Ghanaian journalist was not just being denied access to the conference but also, he says, being hit and kicked by security forces at the hotel.” (BBC – Piers Edwards)

Angola 0 – 1 Ghana
“Asamoah Gyan scored the only goal to help Ghana dump hosts Angola out of the African Nations Cup and become the first side through to the semi-finals. The Rennes striker found the target in the 16th minute, ending a sweeping counter-attack with a clinical finish to stun the near 50,000 crowd at the Estadio do Novembre 11 in Luanda.” (ESPN)

Crunch time for Ivory Coast at Nations Cup
“The time has come for Ivory Coast’s talented generation to deliver when they face Algeria in a clash between World Cup-bound teams in the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup on Sunday. “This generation will be playing for high stakes in the coming week. We lose all or we win all. It’s money time,” coach Vahid Halilhodzic told a news conference ahead of the game at Cabinda’s Chazi Stadium. With an average age of about 28, this year represents an excellent chance for Ivory Coast to win the tournament for the first time since 1992.” (ESPN)

Ivory Coast v Algeria
“Ivory Coast know that underestimating Algeria in their last eight clash could lead to an early Nations Cup exit. The Desert Foxes pulled a surprise when they edged out giants Egypt to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.” (BBC)

Egypt v Cameroon
“Alex Song is keen not to get too caught up in the past and concentrate on the present which is a meeting with Egypt in the African Nations Cup quarter-finals. Much has been made in the build-up of the clash turning into a grudge match following the Pharaohs’ triumph over their opponents in the final two years ago in Ghana.” (ESPN)

Zambia v Nigeria
“Peter Odemwingie believes Nigeria must beat Zambia in the African Nations Cup quarter-finals if they are to take any positives out of the competition. Two years ago the Super Eagles were dumped out by hosts Ghana at the same stage but they are keen to make amends when they come up against this year’s surprise contenders.” (ESPN)

Africa Cup of Nations: The story so far
(BBC)

The African Cup Of Nations – The Story So Far

Ghana
“Mark Murphy has been slumped on his couch watching the African Cup of Nations for the last couple of weeks. He peeled himself away to bring us up to date with the goings-on in Angola.” (twohundredpercent)