Gabon 1-1 Mali (Mali won 5-4 on penalties)
Shock. Thought Gabon would get there but no, horrible penalties and wasted chances saw the co-hosts crash out. Well played to Mali, go into the Semi on Wednesday looking confident (and maybe a bit tired)
Ghana 2-1 Tunisia (after Extra Time)
Ghana have never lost to Tunisia in the ACN and still that remains after a tense battle on Sunday evening which saw Ghana edge in late into extra time.
So the Semi Finals are Zambia vs Ghana (Ghana for me) & Mali vs Ivory Coast (Coast to win). Plus, ladies and gents, you can still buy tickets for the final as it has yet to sell out. Shame, as this has been a top tournament so far
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Showing posts with label Mali. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mali. Show all posts
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Friday, 3 February 2012
Groups C & D finale day action from the ACN and a Quarter Final preview
Here is a quick, late catch-up with the final day's action from group C and D. Group Cwent into the final games with everything all tied up with Gabon and Tunisia already qualified for the quarter finals and these two met in their final game whilst the other game saw Niger and Morocco lockhorns. It ended up with Gabon beating Tunisia 1-0 and Morocco rescuing some pride from an otherwise awful tournament by beating Niger 1-0. Big shock for me with the co-hosts qualifying from this
group but they have deserved it with some fantastic football. As for Morocco, less said the better.
The Group D finale saw a potential classic situation where the final group games would sort everything out. Ghana were top but were taking on Guinea who could still qualify and Mali faced Botswana knowing a win was vital. The end result saw Ghana draw 1-1 with Guinea and Mali beat Botswana 2-1 to see Mali qualify with Ghana for the knockout stages.
So the quarter finals look fascinating with two games on Saturday as Zambia play Sudan (Come on Sudan!) and Ivory Coast facing the co-hosts Equatorial Guinea (heart says the co-hosts but head says Coast). On Sunday the other two fixtures commence with Gabon taking on Mali
(Gabon.....extra time) and a potential decider for the winners of the tournament in my opinion, Ghana squaring up to Tunisia (Ghana for me)
Let the fun begin.....
ADDENDUM:
It's worth having a look at the predictions in the group-by-group previews. In Group A, we said Senegal and Zambia - Zambia and Equatorial Guinea prevailed. In group B, we went for Ivory Coast (got that one right) and Angola (wrong - Sudan). Group C saw us go for Morocco and Tunisia. Sub Gabon for Morocco and we're there. And in Group D, we got them both right, and in the right order, as Ivory Coast and Mali progress. Five out of eight quarter-finalists. Not bad.
group but they have deserved it with some fantastic football. As for Morocco, less said the better.
The Group D finale saw a potential classic situation where the final group games would sort everything out. Ghana were top but were taking on Guinea who could still qualify and Mali faced Botswana knowing a win was vital. The end result saw Ghana draw 1-1 with Guinea and Mali beat Botswana 2-1 to see Mali qualify with Ghana for the knockout stages.
So the quarter finals look fascinating with two games on Saturday as Zambia play Sudan (Come on Sudan!) and Ivory Coast facing the co-hosts Equatorial Guinea (heart says the co-hosts but head says Coast). On Sunday the other two fixtures commence with Gabon taking on Mali
(Gabon.....extra time) and a potential decider for the winners of the tournament in my opinion, Ghana squaring up to Tunisia (Ghana for me)
Let the fun begin.....
ADDENDUM:
It's worth having a look at the predictions in the group-by-group previews. In Group A, we said Senegal and Zambia - Zambia and Equatorial Guinea prevailed. In group B, we went for Ivory Coast (got that one right) and Angola (wrong - Sudan). Group C saw us go for Morocco and Tunisia. Sub Gabon for Morocco and we're there. And in Group D, we got them both right, and in the right order, as Ivory Coast and Mali progress. Five out of eight quarter-finalists. Not bad.
Sunday, 29 January 2012
ACN Day 8: Does D stand for Group of Death?
On Day 8 of the ACN saw Group D play their 2nd games. The day started with Botswana facing Guinea. Botswana who had been unlucky against Ghana in their first game were looking to get a win to hopefully push for a place in the Quater Finals.
However the half time scored made horrible reading for Botswana, 4-1 to Guinea and Botswana were down to ten men after Patrick Motsepe is sent off for a horror challenge, ouch! The first half had been a cracker for Guinea and a horror show for Botswana, could the second half get better for them? In a word no, two late goals by Guinea sealed the defeat and a horrible scoreline of 6-1. The promise shown by Botswana against Ghana was now in ruins.
This left the next game looking very interesting as the two big names in Group D, Ghana and Mali facing off against each each other knowing a win was cruical. A tense first half saw no goals by either side but the breakthrough came with a lovely goal from the 'Middle Eastern Cash Wallet' Asamoah Gyan who scored with a stunning free kick. The lead for the Ghanaians was doubled short after with a lovely taken goal from 'Dede' Ayew to seal a 2-0 win.
Group D now looks like being the group of death in the tournament. Ghana being top with 6 points and Guinea and Mali on 3 points each. The final group games on Wednesday will be very tense.
However the half time scored made horrible reading for Botswana, 4-1 to Guinea and Botswana were down to ten men after Patrick Motsepe is sent off for a horror challenge, ouch! The first half had been a cracker for Guinea and a horror show for Botswana, could the second half get better for them? In a word no, two late goals by Guinea sealed the defeat and a horrible scoreline of 6-1. The promise shown by Botswana against Ghana was now in ruins.
This left the next game looking very interesting as the two big names in Group D, Ghana and Mali facing off against each each other knowing a win was cruical. A tense first half saw no goals by either side but the breakthrough came with a lovely goal from the 'Middle Eastern Cash Wallet' Asamoah Gyan who scored with a stunning free kick. The lead for the Ghanaians was doubled short after with a lovely taken goal from 'Dede' Ayew to seal a 2-0 win.
Group D now looks like being the group of death in the tournament. Ghana being top with 6 points and Guinea and Mali on 3 points each. The final group games on Wednesday will be very tense.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
ACN: Day 4
Short and sweet review of day 4 and the opening games of Group D.
Day kicked off with Ghana vs Botswana (Ghana I think could be easily be a Semi Final/Finalist in my humble opinion). Ghana went on to to win 1-0 with a goal from their captain John Mensah after 25 minutes from a deflected shot just outside the area. However he went from hero to zero midway through the second half making a clumsy challenge on a Botswana breakaway midway through the second half to see a red card, Ghana hung on to win 1-0.
The second game saw Mali take on Guinea which also ended 1-0 to Mali. They took the lead after a ball cut back to Bakaye Traore is hit from outside the area but takes a deflection and goes into the back of the net, unlucky Guinea! This is how it remained and Mali get the three points.
So all the teams have played their first games now and the second set of games start today (Wednesday) as in Group A Libya take on Zambia (1-1 I think) and Equatorial Guinea face Senegal (2-1 to Senegal I think)
Til tomorrow...
Day kicked off with Ghana vs Botswana (Ghana I think could be easily be a Semi Final/Finalist in my humble opinion). Ghana went on to to win 1-0 with a goal from their captain John Mensah after 25 minutes from a deflected shot just outside the area. However he went from hero to zero midway through the second half making a clumsy challenge on a Botswana breakaway midway through the second half to see a red card, Ghana hung on to win 1-0.
The second game saw Mali take on Guinea which also ended 1-0 to Mali. They took the lead after a ball cut back to Bakaye Traore is hit from outside the area but takes a deflection and goes into the back of the net, unlucky Guinea! This is how it remained and Mali get the three points.
So all the teams have played their first games now and the second set of games start today (Wednesday) as in Group A Libya take on Zambia (1-1 I think) and Equatorial Guinea face Senegal (2-1 to Senegal I think)
Til tomorrow...
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Coupe d'Afrique des Nations previews - group D
We did group A and group B in conventional order, but y'know what? Screw convention. Here's a look at group D.
Botswana
Nickname: The Zebras. Safety in numbers, but a weak one is always liable to be picked off by a hungry leopard.
Botswana's preparation threatened to be spoiled by a row over bonuses for the players who had threatened to strike over the issue. Had they done so, the under-20s were set to represent the country at their first finals. All bar seven are locally based with six playing over the border in South Africa and their qualification is a genuine feel-good story.
Goalkeepers: Modiri Marumo (Bay United, South Africa), Noah Maposa (Gaborone United), Kabelo Dambe (Rollers)
Defenders: Mompathi Thuma (BDF XI), Ndiyapo Letsholathebe (Police XI), Musa Ohilwe (Gaborone United), Mosimanegape Ramohibidu (BMC), Monametsi Kelebale (NICO), Tshepo Motlhabankwe (Mochudi Centre Chiefs)
Midfielders: Mogogi Gabonamong (SuperSport United, South Africa), Joel Mogorosi, Pontsho Moloi, Othusitse Pilane (all Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Boitumelo Mafoko (Cape Town Santos, South Africa) Ofentse Nato (Gaborone United), Phenyo Mongala (Bloemfontein Celtic, South Africa), Patrick Motsepe, Tshireletso (BDF XI), Mogakolodi Ngele (Rollers)
Forwards: Jerome Ramatlhakwane (Unattached), Diphetogo Selolwane (SuperSport, South Africa), Onalethata Tshekiso (Rollers), Moemedi Moatlhaping (Bay United, South Africa)
Ghana
Nickname: Black Stars. So called because there's a black star on their flag, nothing Ron Atkinson about it at all.
Asamoah Gyan was a big doubt for the Black Stars, but makes the squad after making good progress following a hamstring injury. Kevin Prince Boateng's controversial retirement from international football and Michael Essien's injury woes are big blows, but it's still a strong side. The Ayew boys both make it and they are top players, André is the new African Player of the Year. These guys could go all the way.
Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset, Norway), Daniel Adjei (Liberty Professionals), Ernest Sowah (Berekum Chelsea)
Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Dnipro, Ukraine), John Paintsil (Leicester City, England), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium), Masawudu Alhassan (Genoa, Italy), Lee Addy (Dalian Aerbim, China), John Boye (Rennes, France), John Mensah (Lyon, France), Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim, Germany)
Midfielders: Charles Takyi (St Pauli, Germany), Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese, Italy), Derek Boateng (Dnipro, Ukraine), Anthony Annan (Vitesse Arnhem, Netherlands), Mohammed Abu (Stromsgodset, Norway), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy), Sulley Muntari (Internazionale, Italy), Andre Ayew (Marseille, France)
Forwards: Prince Tagoe (Bursaspor, Turkey), Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain, UAE), Jordan Ayew (Marseille, France)
Guinea
Nickname: National Elephants. Trying to dissociate themselves from the ivory trade, presumably and understandably, Guinea go to great lengths to make sure they're only domestic elephants and not imported ones.
Former France u21 international Abdoul Razzagui Camara is awaiting international clearance, but is included in Michel Dussuyer's squad. Kevin Constant, the Genoa midfielder, misses out with injury and that's a blow. Bobo Balde and Pascal Feindouno are set for their fourth finals.
Goalkeepers: Aboubacar Camara (Alcoyano, Spain), Abdoul Aziz Keita (AS Kaloum), Naby Yattara (Arles-Avignon, France)
Defenders: Thierno Bah (Lausanne, Switzerland), Dianbodo 'Bobo' Baldé (Arles-Avignon, France), Ibrahima Sory Bangoura (Djoliba, Mali), Lanfia Camara (WS Woluwe, Belgium), Morlaye Cissé (EGS Gafsa, Tunisia), Ibrahima Diallo (Waasland Beveren, Belgium), Kamil Zayatte (Buyuksehir, Turkey), Oumar Kalabané (Al Dhafra, United Arab Emirates)
Midfielders: Mamadou Dioulde Bah (VfB Stuttgart, Germany), Habib Jean Balde (Universitatea Cluj, Romania), Sadio Diallo (Bastia, France), Pascal Feindouno (Sion, Switzerland), Naby Soumah (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia)
Forwards: Alhassane Bangoura (Rayo Vallecano, Spain), Ismael Bangoura (Al Nasr, United Arab Emirates), Ousmane Barry (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Abdoul Razzagui Camara (Sochaux, France), Ibrahima Conté (Ghent, Belgium), Ibrahim Traoré (VfB Stuttgart, Germany), Ibrahima Yattara (Al Shabab, Saudi Arabia)
Mali
Nickname: The Eagles. Soaring majestically across the planes, picking off small rodents but never the larger prey. Sums Mali up about right. They've got style and will crush smaller nations before running out of ideas of how to take on the really big fish.
Another decent outside bet, Alain Giresse has a decent squad to pick from. Barcelona's Seydou Keita is undoubtedly the star, but there are plenty of others to watch, notably Modibo Maiga up top and a phalanx of Traorés in midfield
Goalkeepers: Oumar Sissoko (Metz, France), Soumbeyla Diakité (Stade Malien), Alimamy Sogoba (As Réal)
Defenders: Ousmane Coulibaly (Brest, France), Idrissa Coulibaly (Esperance Tunis, Tunisia), Drissa Diakité (Nice, France), Cedric Kanté (Panathinaikos, Greece), Mohamed Fofana (Toulouse, France), Adama Tamboura (Metz, France ), Mouhamadou N'Diaye (Vitoria Guimarães, Portugal), Abdoulaye Maiga (USM Alger, Algeria)
Midfielders: Seydou Keita (Barcelona, Spain), Kalilou Traoré (OB Odense, Denmark), Bakay Traoré (Nancy, France), Abdou Traoré (Bordeaux, France), Samba Diakité (Nancy, France), Mahamané Traoré (Metz , France), Sidi Koné (Lyon, France), Samba Sow (Lens, France)
Forwards: Modibo Maiga (Sochaux, France), Garra Dembélé (Freiburg, Germany), Cheick Tidiané Diabaté (Bordeaux, France), Mustapha Yatabaré (Guingamp, France)
Going through from this group: Ghana top, Mali second.
Botswana
Nickname: The Zebras. Safety in numbers, but a weak one is always liable to be picked off by a hungry leopard.
Botswana's preparation threatened to be spoiled by a row over bonuses for the players who had threatened to strike over the issue. Had they done so, the under-20s were set to represent the country at their first finals. All bar seven are locally based with six playing over the border in South Africa and their qualification is a genuine feel-good story.
Goalkeepers: Modiri Marumo (Bay United, South Africa), Noah Maposa (Gaborone United), Kabelo Dambe (Rollers)
Defenders: Mompathi Thuma (BDF XI), Ndiyapo Letsholathebe (Police XI), Musa Ohilwe (Gaborone United), Mosimanegape Ramohibidu (BMC), Monametsi Kelebale (NICO), Tshepo Motlhabankwe (Mochudi Centre Chiefs)
Midfielders: Mogogi Gabonamong (SuperSport United, South Africa), Joel Mogorosi, Pontsho Moloi, Othusitse Pilane (all Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Boitumelo Mafoko (Cape Town Santos, South Africa) Ofentse Nato (Gaborone United), Phenyo Mongala (Bloemfontein Celtic, South Africa), Patrick Motsepe, Tshireletso (BDF XI), Mogakolodi Ngele (Rollers)
Forwards: Jerome Ramatlhakwane (Unattached), Diphetogo Selolwane (SuperSport, South Africa), Onalethata Tshekiso (Rollers), Moemedi Moatlhaping (Bay United, South Africa)
Ghana
Nickname: Black Stars. So called because there's a black star on their flag, nothing Ron Atkinson about it at all.
Asamoah Gyan was a big doubt for the Black Stars, but makes the squad after making good progress following a hamstring injury. Kevin Prince Boateng's controversial retirement from international football and Michael Essien's injury woes are big blows, but it's still a strong side. The Ayew boys both make it and they are top players, André is the new African Player of the Year. These guys could go all the way.
Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset, Norway), Daniel Adjei (Liberty Professionals), Ernest Sowah (Berekum Chelsea)
Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Dnipro, Ukraine), John Paintsil (Leicester City, England), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium), Masawudu Alhassan (Genoa, Italy), Lee Addy (Dalian Aerbim, China), John Boye (Rennes, France), John Mensah (Lyon, France), Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim, Germany)
Midfielders: Charles Takyi (St Pauli, Germany), Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese, Italy), Derek Boateng (Dnipro, Ukraine), Anthony Annan (Vitesse Arnhem, Netherlands), Mohammed Abu (Stromsgodset, Norway), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy), Sulley Muntari (Internazionale, Italy), Andre Ayew (Marseille, France)
Forwards: Prince Tagoe (Bursaspor, Turkey), Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain, UAE), Jordan Ayew (Marseille, France)
Guinea
Nickname: National Elephants. Trying to dissociate themselves from the ivory trade, presumably and understandably, Guinea go to great lengths to make sure they're only domestic elephants and not imported ones.
Former France u21 international Abdoul Razzagui Camara is awaiting international clearance, but is included in Michel Dussuyer's squad. Kevin Constant, the Genoa midfielder, misses out with injury and that's a blow. Bobo Balde and Pascal Feindouno are set for their fourth finals.
Goalkeepers: Aboubacar Camara (Alcoyano, Spain), Abdoul Aziz Keita (AS Kaloum), Naby Yattara (Arles-Avignon, France)
Defenders: Thierno Bah (Lausanne, Switzerland), Dianbodo 'Bobo' Baldé (Arles-Avignon, France), Ibrahima Sory Bangoura (Djoliba, Mali), Lanfia Camara (WS Woluwe, Belgium), Morlaye Cissé (EGS Gafsa, Tunisia), Ibrahima Diallo (Waasland Beveren, Belgium), Kamil Zayatte (Buyuksehir, Turkey), Oumar Kalabané (Al Dhafra, United Arab Emirates)
Midfielders: Mamadou Dioulde Bah (VfB Stuttgart, Germany), Habib Jean Balde (Universitatea Cluj, Romania), Sadio Diallo (Bastia, France), Pascal Feindouno (Sion, Switzerland), Naby Soumah (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia)
Forwards: Alhassane Bangoura (Rayo Vallecano, Spain), Ismael Bangoura (Al Nasr, United Arab Emirates), Ousmane Barry (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Abdoul Razzagui Camara (Sochaux, France), Ibrahima Conté (Ghent, Belgium), Ibrahim Traoré (VfB Stuttgart, Germany), Ibrahima Yattara (Al Shabab, Saudi Arabia)
Mali
Nickname: The Eagles. Soaring majestically across the planes, picking off small rodents but never the larger prey. Sums Mali up about right. They've got style and will crush smaller nations before running out of ideas of how to take on the really big fish.
Another decent outside bet, Alain Giresse has a decent squad to pick from. Barcelona's Seydou Keita is undoubtedly the star, but there are plenty of others to watch, notably Modibo Maiga up top and a phalanx of Traorés in midfield
Goalkeepers: Oumar Sissoko (Metz, France), Soumbeyla Diakité (Stade Malien), Alimamy Sogoba (As Réal)
Defenders: Ousmane Coulibaly (Brest, France), Idrissa Coulibaly (Esperance Tunis, Tunisia), Drissa Diakité (Nice, France), Cedric Kanté (Panathinaikos, Greece), Mohamed Fofana (Toulouse, France), Adama Tamboura (Metz, France ), Mouhamadou N'Diaye (Vitoria Guimarães, Portugal), Abdoulaye Maiga (USM Alger, Algeria)
Midfielders: Seydou Keita (Barcelona, Spain), Kalilou Traoré (OB Odense, Denmark), Bakay Traoré (Nancy, France), Abdou Traoré (Bordeaux, France), Samba Diakité (Nancy, France), Mahamané Traoré (Metz , France), Sidi Koné (Lyon, France), Samba Sow (Lens, France)
Forwards: Modibo Maiga (Sochaux, France), Garra Dembélé (Freiburg, Germany), Cheick Tidiané Diabaté (Bordeaux, France), Mustapha Yatabaré (Guingamp, France)
Going through from this group: Ghana top, Mali second.
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