As the UK ground to a halt over a few flakes of snow. the African Cup Of Nations has reached fever pitch as the tournament reached the quarter final stage. The first game on Saturday looked a tasty opening course to this 4 course meal with Zambia taking on Sudan.
The game really kicked into gear after 15 minutes when Zambia took the lead with a goal from Stoppila Sunzu heading in a goal with little marking from the Sudanese it was an easy opener.
However Sudan kept on the pressure but couldn't get an equaliser before half time and it remained 1-0 to Zambia. 20 minutes into the second half and Sudan were dealt a huge blow, Ali Idris was sent off for a foul in the area which gave a penalty to Zambia. Christopher Katongo took the penalty but the first attempt was saved but he slotted in the the second attempt. It was all uphill for Sudan now. Their misery was compounded with a few minutes left when James Chamanga sealed a 3-0 win for Zambia.
Harsh on Sudan was this result as they do seem to have improved as the tournament has gone on but they will learn a lot from this years tournament.
The second course on Saturday was Ivory Coast taking on co-hosts Equatorial Guinea. Could they be the first side to score a goal against the 'Elephants' in this tournament?
A first half which saw plenty of possession and attack from the 'Coast saw them win a penalty after half an hour after Drogba was fouled however his penalty was saved and the home fans went ballistic. Their Joy was soon to be short lived as Drogba made up for his penalty miss with a shot drilled in to take the lead
10minutes before half time. The hosts needed to do something which no one else so far had, score!
Midway through the second half and the tie was effectively over, a powerful free kick by Yaya Toure was headed in by Drogba, a fantastic effort. However that a thumping 3-0 was guaranteed when Yaya Toure hit a 30 yard thunderbolt free kick into the top right of the net. Stunning strike which has to be my favourite goal so far of the tournament.
Zambia and the Ivory Coast through, who will join them in the final four?!
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Showing posts with label Sudan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sudan. Show all posts
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
ACN Day 10: 42 years of hurt.....
Monday saw the finale of Group B. Ivory Coast had effectively already qualified from the group so for their final game they fielded a weakened side against Angola who were in the running for the second qualifying spot. The other game saw Sudan facing Burkina Faso with Sudan knowing if they
could achieve a win for the the first time in the tournament in 42 years they would be in the quarter finals, pah easy!
Half hour into both games and the deadlock was broken in one of the games, Emmanuel Eboué
scoring a simple goal for Ivory Coast and just a few minutes later Sudan take the lead against 'Faso with Mudather Eltaib scoring for Sudan. Could the dream about to become reality?!
As half time came, the games remained the same. Angola needed something and quickly to save
themselves.The Angolan hearts then took another blow a few moments after the hour mark. Bony scored a goal from nothing short of a few inches from the goal, suddenly Sudan had the chance here and they took it with a second late into the second half. Sudan had achieved the impossible!
A late goal from Burkina Faso couldn't dampen the spirits and Sudan qualified for the quarter-finals where they will face Zambia. Ivory Coast will face Equatorial Guinea on Saturday in what will be a tasty affair. A shock there? Oh I think there could be.....
could achieve a win for the the first time in the tournament in 42 years they would be in the quarter finals, pah easy!
Half hour into both games and the deadlock was broken in one of the games, Emmanuel Eboué
scoring a simple goal for Ivory Coast and just a few minutes later Sudan take the lead against 'Faso with Mudather Eltaib scoring for Sudan. Could the dream about to become reality?!
As half time came, the games remained the same. Angola needed something and quickly to save
themselves.The Angolan hearts then took another blow a few moments after the hour mark. Bony scored a goal from nothing short of a few inches from the goal, suddenly Sudan had the chance here and they took it with a second late into the second half. Sudan had achieved the impossible!
A late goal from Burkina Faso couldn't dampen the spirits and Sudan qualified for the quarter-finals where they will face Zambia. Ivory Coast will face Equatorial Guinea on Saturday in what will be a tasty affair. A shock there? Oh I think there could be.....
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
ACN: Day 2 & 3
After the opening day shocks could day 2 live up to the first day?
The first game on Sunday saw the 'Elephants' from the Ivory Coast take on Sudan. The 'Coast fielded a strong side to take on the unfancied Sudan and took the lead after Drogba scored shortly before half time, was that enough to take them to a half time lead? It was, only just though as the Elephants 'keeper Boubacarr pulled off a sensational save with moments to go from a superb shot from Sudan's Moutata.
Ivory Coast went on to win the game 1-0 but a far from convincing display by them took them home but sudan can hold there heads high as they certainly gave the stronger opposition a lot to think about
The second game of the day saw Burinka Faso take on Angola, a largely dull first half lead to a bright opening after the half time oranges with Angola taking the lead early in the second half after a balls up in the Faso defence let in Mateus to score to take the lead for Angola.
Then six minutes later the first contender for Goal of the tournament, a superb free kick which beat a six man taken by Traore, superb.
Then Faso hearts were broken, 10 minutes later came a goal from Manucho who hit a shot from outside the area to take the points, heartbreak for Burinka Faso but Angola get their first points
Day three of the competition saw Group C kick off and the other joint hosts Gabon make their debut in this years tournament as they took on Niger. Gabon took the lead after about half an hour through a goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon's main man of course) who managed to head home after Niger keeper flapped at the cross. The Gabon joy eurupted again 4 minutes before half time. Stephane Nguema tapped in from a few yards after the Niger keeper couldnt hold to a save. The scoreline didn't changed in the second half and Gabon walked away with the points after a good display.
The second game of the day saw Morocco taking on Tunisa, the two big North African Rivals come clasing horns. a pacy first half with chances with both saw Tunisa scoring late in the first half through a free kick from Korbi but this game going into half time had plenty of goals still in it.
At the half time break Morocco decided to bring on QPR's Adel Taraabt, he should be able to boost there goal scoring chances surely?! It didnt, and after 76 minutes his and Morocco's hearts took another kick as another superb goal in this tournament was scored by Tunisa's Msakni as he danced through the defence and slot home. Morocco got a goal back 10minutes later through their Captain, Kharjah. It wasn't to be a revival though and Tunisa held on
Group D starts today (Tuesday) with Ghana, Botswana,Mali & Guinea entering the fun
The first game on Sunday saw the 'Elephants' from the Ivory Coast take on Sudan. The 'Coast fielded a strong side to take on the unfancied Sudan and took the lead after Drogba scored shortly before half time, was that enough to take them to a half time lead? It was, only just though as the Elephants 'keeper Boubacarr pulled off a sensational save with moments to go from a superb shot from Sudan's Moutata.
Ivory Coast went on to win the game 1-0 but a far from convincing display by them took them home but sudan can hold there heads high as they certainly gave the stronger opposition a lot to think about
The second game of the day saw Burinka Faso take on Angola, a largely dull first half lead to a bright opening after the half time oranges with Angola taking the lead early in the second half after a balls up in the Faso defence let in Mateus to score to take the lead for Angola.
Then six minutes later the first contender for Goal of the tournament, a superb free kick which beat a six man taken by Traore, superb.
Then Faso hearts were broken, 10 minutes later came a goal from Manucho who hit a shot from outside the area to take the points, heartbreak for Burinka Faso but Angola get their first points
Day three of the competition saw Group C kick off and the other joint hosts Gabon make their debut in this years tournament as they took on Niger. Gabon took the lead after about half an hour through a goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon's main man of course) who managed to head home after Niger keeper flapped at the cross. The Gabon joy eurupted again 4 minutes before half time. Stephane Nguema tapped in from a few yards after the Niger keeper couldnt hold to a save. The scoreline didn't changed in the second half and Gabon walked away with the points after a good display.
The second game of the day saw Morocco taking on Tunisa, the two big North African Rivals come clasing horns. a pacy first half with chances with both saw Tunisa scoring late in the first half through a free kick from Korbi but this game going into half time had plenty of goals still in it.
At the half time break Morocco decided to bring on QPR's Adel Taraabt, he should be able to boost there goal scoring chances surely?! It didnt, and after 76 minutes his and Morocco's hearts took another kick as another superb goal in this tournament was scored by Tunisa's Msakni as he danced through the defence and slot home. Morocco got a goal back 10minutes later through their Captain, Kharjah. It wasn't to be a revival though and Tunisa held on
Group D starts today (Tuesday) with Ghana, Botswana,Mali & Guinea entering the fun
Monday, 16 January 2012
Coupe d'Afrique des Nations previews - group B
Group A got a going over here and we continue now in highly predictable, orthodox fashion by running the rule over group B next.
Angola
Nickname: Sable Antelopes. The critically endangered Giant Sable Antelope is native to Angola. That's all we got.
Former German u21 international Nando Rafael is included by Lito Vidigal, though doesn't yet have FIFA permission to use him. Rafael fled Angola's civil war as a child and needs to be granted change of international status before being able to play. With or without him, they look a bit tasty up front, less so at the back.
Goalkeepers: Carlos (unattached), Hugo (Kabuscorp), Wilson (Primeiro Agosto),
Defenders: Amaro (Primeiro Agosto), Dani Massunguna (Primeiro Agosto), Kali (Primeiro Agosto), Marco Airosa (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Mingo Bille (Primeiro Agosto), Zuela (Atromitos, Greece)
Midfielders: Andre Makanga (Al Jahra, Kuwait), Dede (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Gilberto (Lierse, Belgium), Mabina (Petro Atletico), Miguel (Petro Atletico), Osorio (Recreativo Caala), Xara (Petro Atletico)
Forwards: Djalma (FC Porto, Portugal), Flavio (Lierse, Belgium), Jose Pierre Vunguidica (Preussen Munster, Germany), Love (Petro Atletico), Manucho (Real Valladolid, Spain), Mateus Galiano (Nacional, Portugal), Nando Rafael (FC Augsburg, Germany)
Burkina Faso
Nickname: The Stallions. Either some MOR indie rock band like Foals or a tribute to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.
Chelsea's 16-year old midfielder Bertrand Traoré and he's set to be the third-youngest player at the finals. He's named alongside his brother Alain of AJ Auxerre in France. Burkina Faso's participation was only confirmed after a protest from Namibia about the eligibility of Cameroon-born defender Hervé Zengué. They were cleared, but Zengué has failed to make the cut for the tournament.
Goalkeepers: Daouda Diakité (KV Turnhout, Belgium), Moussa Germain Sanou (St Etienne, France), Adama Sawadogo (Missile, Gabon)
Defenders: Ibrahim Gnanou (Alania Vladikavkaz, Russia), Bakary Koné (Olympique Lyon, France), Paul Koulibaly (Charleroi, Belgium), Saidou Mady Panandétiguiri (Valletta, Malta), Mamadou Tall (Persepolis, Iran)
Midfielders: Wilfried Balima (Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldova), Charles Kaboré (Olympique Marseille, France), Mahamadou Kéré (Konyaspor, Turkey), Mohamed Koffi (Petrojet, Egypt), Djakaridja Kone (Dynamo Bucharest, Romania), Jonathan Pitroipa (Stades Rennes, France), Florent Rouamba (Sheriff Tiraspol. Moldova), Bertrand Traoré (Chelsea, England)
Forwards: Aristide Bancé (Samsunspor, Turkey), Moumouni Dagano (Al Khor, Qatar), Prejuce Nakoulma (Gornik Zabrze, Poland), Issiaka Ouédraogo (FC Admira Wacker Modling, Austria), Abdou Razak Traoré (Lechia Gdansk, Poland), Alain Traoré (AJ Auxerre, France), Narcisse Yameogo (AD Camacha, Portugal)
Cote d'Ivoire
Nickname: Elephants. Big, lumbering, physical specimens. A bit like Didier Drogba, but without the falling over.
Another of the favourites, it's a strong Elephants squad named by Francois Zahoui. All the familiar names are there; Drogba, Tioté, the Touré boys, Kalou, Zokora, Gradel, Eboué... they just keep coming. They have underperformed in recent tournaments, but there can be no excuses with this squad.
Goalkeepers: Barry Boubacar (Lokeren, Belgium), Gerrard Gnanahouan (Avranches, France), Daniel Yeboah (Dijon, France)
Defenders: Siake Tiené (Paris St Germain, France), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart, Germany), Benjamin Angoua Brou (Valenciennes, France), Igor Lolo (FC Kuban Krasnodar, Russia), Didier Zokora (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Emmanuel Eboué (Galatasaray, Turkey), Kolo Touré (Manchester City, England), Souleymane Bamba (Leicester City, England)
Midfielders: Kafoumba Coulibaly (Nice, France), Jean-Jacques Gosso Gosso (Orduspor, Turkey), Didier Ya Konan (Hannover, Germany), Cheick Tioté (Newcastle United, England), Max Gradel (St Etienne, France), Yaya Touré (Manchester City, England)
Forwards: Gervinho (Arsenal, England), Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Didier Drogba (Chelsea, England), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea, England), Wilfried Bony (Vitesse Arnhem, Netherlands), Abdul Kader Keita (Al Sadd, Qatar)
Sudan
Nickname: Nile Crocodiles. The longest crocodiles in the world.
It's an entirely domestically-based squad - the only one at the finals - named by the Nile Crocodiles, so at least these boys know each other. The country hadn't split when the qualifying began, so this is the last time they'll appear as a single nation.
Goalkeepers: Mouez Mohjob (Al Hilal), Bhaldien Mohammed (Al Merreikh), Akram Al Hadi (Al Merreikh)
Defenders: Mosab Omar (Al Merreikh), Ngemaldien Abdullah (Al Merreikh), Ahmed Al Basha (Al Merreikh), Bala Jaber (Al Merreikh), Mowaia Bashir (Ittihad Madani), Siefaldien Ali (Al Hilal), Khaliefa Ahmed (Al Hilal)
Midfielders: Hisam Mustaffa (Al Hilal), Baderaldien Aldoud (Al Merreikh), Faisal Musa (Al Merreikh), Amier Kamal (Al Merreikh), Nazer Hamed (Al Hilal), Mohamed Al Tahir (Al Hilal) Alaadine Yousif (Al Hilal), Mohammed Ahmed Bashir (Al Hilal), Mohammed Moussi (Al Nsoor)
Forwards: Ramadan Alagab (Al Mourada), Mohammed Sheikh Eldin (Al Hasahesa), Eltaib Mudather (Al Hilal), Abdulrahman Hassan (Al Merreikh)
Going through from this group: Cote d'Ivoire top by miles, Angola to join them in the second round as they look likely to score more than they concede, i.e. do a Newcastle.
Angola
Nickname: Sable Antelopes. The critically endangered Giant Sable Antelope is native to Angola. That's all we got.
Former German u21 international Nando Rafael is included by Lito Vidigal, though doesn't yet have FIFA permission to use him. Rafael fled Angola's civil war as a child and needs to be granted change of international status before being able to play. With or without him, they look a bit tasty up front, less so at the back.
Goalkeepers: Carlos (unattached), Hugo (Kabuscorp), Wilson (Primeiro Agosto),
Defenders: Amaro (Primeiro Agosto), Dani Massunguna (Primeiro Agosto), Kali (Primeiro Agosto), Marco Airosa (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Mingo Bille (Primeiro Agosto), Zuela (Atromitos, Greece)
Midfielders: Andre Makanga (Al Jahra, Kuwait), Dede (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Gilberto (Lierse, Belgium), Mabina (Petro Atletico), Miguel (Petro Atletico), Osorio (Recreativo Caala), Xara (Petro Atletico)
Forwards: Djalma (FC Porto, Portugal), Flavio (Lierse, Belgium), Jose Pierre Vunguidica (Preussen Munster, Germany), Love (Petro Atletico), Manucho (Real Valladolid, Spain), Mateus Galiano (Nacional, Portugal), Nando Rafael (FC Augsburg, Germany)
Burkina Faso
Nickname: The Stallions. Either some MOR indie rock band like Foals or a tribute to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.
Chelsea's 16-year old midfielder Bertrand Traoré and he's set to be the third-youngest player at the finals. He's named alongside his brother Alain of AJ Auxerre in France. Burkina Faso's participation was only confirmed after a protest from Namibia about the eligibility of Cameroon-born defender Hervé Zengué. They were cleared, but Zengué has failed to make the cut for the tournament.
Goalkeepers: Daouda Diakité (KV Turnhout, Belgium), Moussa Germain Sanou (St Etienne, France), Adama Sawadogo (Missile, Gabon)
Defenders: Ibrahim Gnanou (Alania Vladikavkaz, Russia), Bakary Koné (Olympique Lyon, France), Paul Koulibaly (Charleroi, Belgium), Saidou Mady Panandétiguiri (Valletta, Malta), Mamadou Tall (Persepolis, Iran)
Midfielders: Wilfried Balima (Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldova), Charles Kaboré (Olympique Marseille, France), Mahamadou Kéré (Konyaspor, Turkey), Mohamed Koffi (Petrojet, Egypt), Djakaridja Kone (Dynamo Bucharest, Romania), Jonathan Pitroipa (Stades Rennes, France), Florent Rouamba (Sheriff Tiraspol. Moldova), Bertrand Traoré (Chelsea, England)
Forwards: Aristide Bancé (Samsunspor, Turkey), Moumouni Dagano (Al Khor, Qatar), Prejuce Nakoulma (Gornik Zabrze, Poland), Issiaka Ouédraogo (FC Admira Wacker Modling, Austria), Abdou Razak Traoré (Lechia Gdansk, Poland), Alain Traoré (AJ Auxerre, France), Narcisse Yameogo (AD Camacha, Portugal)
Cote d'Ivoire
Nickname: Elephants. Big, lumbering, physical specimens. A bit like Didier Drogba, but without the falling over.
Another of the favourites, it's a strong Elephants squad named by Francois Zahoui. All the familiar names are there; Drogba, Tioté, the Touré boys, Kalou, Zokora, Gradel, Eboué... they just keep coming. They have underperformed in recent tournaments, but there can be no excuses with this squad.
Goalkeepers: Barry Boubacar (Lokeren, Belgium), Gerrard Gnanahouan (Avranches, France), Daniel Yeboah (Dijon, France)
Defenders: Siake Tiené (Paris St Germain, France), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart, Germany), Benjamin Angoua Brou (Valenciennes, France), Igor Lolo (FC Kuban Krasnodar, Russia), Didier Zokora (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Emmanuel Eboué (Galatasaray, Turkey), Kolo Touré (Manchester City, England), Souleymane Bamba (Leicester City, England)
Midfielders: Kafoumba Coulibaly (Nice, France), Jean-Jacques Gosso Gosso (Orduspor, Turkey), Didier Ya Konan (Hannover, Germany), Cheick Tioté (Newcastle United, England), Max Gradel (St Etienne, France), Yaya Touré (Manchester City, England)
Forwards: Gervinho (Arsenal, England), Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Didier Drogba (Chelsea, England), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea, England), Wilfried Bony (Vitesse Arnhem, Netherlands), Abdul Kader Keita (Al Sadd, Qatar)
Sudan
Nickname: Nile Crocodiles. The longest crocodiles in the world.
It's an entirely domestically-based squad - the only one at the finals - named by the Nile Crocodiles, so at least these boys know each other. The country hadn't split when the qualifying began, so this is the last time they'll appear as a single nation.
Goalkeepers: Mouez Mohjob (Al Hilal), Bhaldien Mohammed (Al Merreikh), Akram Al Hadi (Al Merreikh)
Defenders: Mosab Omar (Al Merreikh), Ngemaldien Abdullah (Al Merreikh), Ahmed Al Basha (Al Merreikh), Bala Jaber (Al Merreikh), Mowaia Bashir (Ittihad Madani), Siefaldien Ali (Al Hilal), Khaliefa Ahmed (Al Hilal)
Midfielders: Hisam Mustaffa (Al Hilal), Baderaldien Aldoud (Al Merreikh), Faisal Musa (Al Merreikh), Amier Kamal (Al Merreikh), Nazer Hamed (Al Hilal), Mohamed Al Tahir (Al Hilal) Alaadine Yousif (Al Hilal), Mohammed Ahmed Bashir (Al Hilal), Mohammed Moussi (Al Nsoor)
Forwards: Ramadan Alagab (Al Mourada), Mohammed Sheikh Eldin (Al Hasahesa), Eltaib Mudather (Al Hilal), Abdulrahman Hassan (Al Merreikh)
Going through from this group: Cote d'Ivoire top by miles, Angola to join them in the second round as they look likely to score more than they concede, i.e. do a Newcastle.
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