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2023 AFCON: Tanzania coach suspended for insulting Morocco

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Tanzania coach Adel Amrouche has been suspended at the Africa Cup of Nations finals for making insulting remarks about Morocco, who beat the east African side 3-0 in their opening game at the tournament on Wednesday.

The Tanzania Football Federation said the Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary committee had suspended Amrouche for eight matches following a complaint submitted by Morocco. CAF have yet to make an announcement.

“In another step, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has suspended coach Amrouche. As a result of that decision, Hemed Morocco has been appointed acting coach and he will be assisted by Juma Mgunda,” TFF spokesman Clifford Mario Ndimbo said.

Amrouche had said that Morocco held too much sway in the corridors of power in African football and were influencing the appointment of referees.

“The Morocco federation is a proven power in the world of African football. Morocco manages African football. They also choose their referees and we remain simple spectators,” Amrouche said in an interview on Algerian television ahead of Wednesday’s match.

Amrouche, born in Algeria but a Belgian citizen, said Morocco had “a strike force” within the African confederation doing their bidding.

“For example, during the match between us and Morocco in the World Cup qualifiers in November we asked to play at two p.m.,” he said.

It was Tanzania’s home game and they wanted to use the daytime heat in Dar es Salaam to their advantage against the Moroccan players, most of whom are based at clubs in Europe.

“But CAF scheduled the match for the evening,” Amrouche added.

In the same interview, Amrouche criticised his own federation for changing their pre-tournament preparation camp.

“I had scheduled a preparation camp in Algeria. I even scheduled friendly matches against Mauritania, Cape Verde and Anderlecht.

“But there was influence placed on officials to relocate our place of preparation. So we were forced to prepare in Cairo,” he said.

Neighbours Algeria and Morocco have a frosty relationship, with the border between the two countries closed.

Their political rivalry has spilled over into the ranks of African football where last year the two were bidding against each other for the hosting of the next Cup of Nations tournament.

Morocco won the right to host in 2025 with Algeria withdrawing on the eve of the vote in what observers said was a face-saving exercise.

Source: Reuters

2023 AFCON: Guinea beat Gambia to boost qualification chances

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After drawing with Cameroon in their opening game of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023, Guinea recorded a win against Gambia. The two countries created few chances in the first half. It took 70 minutes before Guinea broke the deadlock through Aguibou Camara. 

The 22-year old finished off a great team play. He latched on to a pass from Morgan Guilavogui to score the opener. In search of the equalizer, Tom Sainfait introduced two attackers in Mohamed Badamosi and Ali Sowe into the game. 

None of them managed to break the resolute Guinea defense. Guinea now have 4 points from two games and currently occupy the second position. They will play against already qualified Senegal at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Tuesday, January 23. 

Gambia with no point will play Cameroon in their last game on Tuesday, January 23.

“We deserved more,” says Mohammed Kudus after 2-2 draw with Egypt

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Ghanaian sensation, Mohammed Kudus feels Ghana deserved more after twice surrendering the lead to draw 2-2 against Egypt in a drama filled Group TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 clash in Abidjan.

“I’m happy to be back. I worked so hard to get back to the top and help my team, my nation. It’s important for me to be here”, said the forward. 

Despite the double from Kudus, Ghana only snatched a point from the draw. The West Ham striker couldn’t hide his frustration.

“It’s a mixed feeling. As a forward, you want your goals to have an impact on the result. We made careless mistakes. Now we’ll have to get back to work, win the next one and then see what happens”, said Kudus.

“We are not out. The objective remains the same, which is to take trophy home.” he concluded.

Chris Hughton frustrated with Egypt draw

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Black Stars head coach, Chris Hughton has expressed his frustrations following their 2-2 draw with Egypt in the second round group game of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

Ghana led twice and bottled it all to allow Egypt pick a point from the game. Despite the disappointing result, Chris Hughton is not giving up. 

“We will continue to fight. It is true that at the moment there is a lot of frustration in the locker room. Our team deserved more, but football is like that. It’s frustrating. In a similar performance, we would surely have won. Two errors cost us the match. We didn’t take this opportunity to take the three points,” he said. 

Osman who was brought on in the second half was substituted again for Joseph Paintsil. Hughton explained that the winger’s errors were worrying and he had to take the decision of taking him off. 

“Firstly, I would like to say that we love Osmane. However, I had to take him out because his mistakes were starting to affect his performance,” he explained. 

Hughton’s mind is now on Mozambique, the Black Stars’ next opponent. 

“There are no more small teams in Africa. We are preparing for a tough match against them. The calculations are already made, we need a victory to pursue our dream and I know we are capable of it.” he concluded

“My players showed determination” – Egypt coach Rui Vitoria after draw with Ghana

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Still no victories for Egypt in this TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023, a situation which does not seem to disturb Rui Vitoria, the Pharaohs coach.

The coach was speaking after his side twice came back from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw against Ghana on Thursday.

“I have full confidence in my team, I saw men this evening who fought to the end only victory eluded us. We showed great qualities this evening against a revitalized Ghana. The players applied our instructions perfectly. There was room to win the match”, said Vitoria

However, the Portuguese mentor could not avoid the question about the injury of his captain and offensive leader Mohamed Salah, who was substituted towards the end of the opening half due to a suspected hamstring injury.

“At the moment, I cannot comment on the seriousness of his injury. Of course, we are worried and we hope it is not too serious. We will have to keep the same state of mind for the next match against Cape Verde.’” he concluded.

2023 AFCON: Egypt fight back to draw against Ghana [+HIGHLIGHTS]

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Mohammed Kudus scored a brace of goals but Ghana twice let a lead slip to draw 2-2 with Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B clash in Abidjan on Thursday, with the latter facing an anxious wait over an injury concern for Mohamed Salah.

Salah limped out of the game just before halftime with what appeared a muscle injury as he grabbed the back of his leg following a bursting run. It will have set off alarm bells at Liverpool, too.

Both teams still have work to do to qualify for the knockout rounds. Record seven-time winners Egypt, who had Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed on the scoresheet, have two points from two games and face pool leaders Cape Verde next on Monday.

Ghana have gone a team record six games without a win at the Cup of Nations and have a single point from their two matches. They will likely have to beat Mozambique in their final pool fixture to book a knockout place.

Salah’s fitness for the remainder of the tournament could be the difference between success and failure for an Egypt side that have looked a little out of sorts having arrived in the Ivory Coast in excellent form.

Ghana were shocked by Cape Verde in their pool opener and while this was a better display, coach Chris Hughton will be desperately disappointed they gave away a lead twice in five minutes.

There was plenty of hustle and bustle in the first half, but not much in the way of goalmouth action until deep into stoppage time.

Kudus picked up the ball 30-yards from goal and worked space for a shot, rifling his effort into the back of the net from the edge of the box.

The north African side turned up the pressure after the break and camped in the Ghana half, but were wayward with their finishing until they were handed a gift.

Inaki Williams’ poor back pass was straight into the path of Omar Marmoush and the forward rounded Richard Ofori in the Ghana goal to score.

Two minutes later the west Africans were back in front as an unsighted Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy could not keep out Kudus’ curling shot from 15 yards.

Egypt had conceded two goals in a game once in their previous 28 matches at the Cup of Nations before these finals but have now done it twice in as many matches.

The Pharaohs made it three goals in five minutes though as Mostafa turned in Trezeguet’s cut-back from the byline to equalise for the second time and share the spoils.

Watch highlights of the game in the video below;

Source: Reuters

WATCH LIVE: Egypt vs. Ghana – Afcon 2023

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Click on any of the links to watch the game.

https://x.com/FCTV886/status/1748065480592515441?s=20

https://www.myhackstuff.com/2021/09/live-stream-2.html?m=1#https://ra.live-koora.live/albaplayer/bein-premium-2hd/?serv=1

Chris Hughton names Ghana starting line-up for crucial game against Egypt

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Chris Hughton names Ghana starting line-up for crucial game against Egypt

Mohammed Kudus has been named in Ghana’s starting line up for the Africa Cup of Nations Cote D’Ivoire 2023 group B clash against Egypt.

The West Ham United ace who missed the opening game against Cape Verde replaces Ransford Yeboah Koningsdoffer in the line up.

Also making the team are Abdul Salis Samed and Inaki Williams who come in for Baba Iddrisu and Joseph Painstil.

Ghana coach Chris Hughton has kept faith in Richard Ofori, Denis Odoi, Alexander Djiku and Salisu Mohammed at the back.

Jordan Ayew and Inaki Williams will operate on the flanks as Kudus plays behind Antoine Semenyo.

The game is scheduled for 8pm kick off at stade Felix Houphouet Boigny in Abidjan.

GFA 

2023 AFCON: Nigeria silence hosts Cote d’lvoire

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Nigeria landed a major blow in the race for TotalEnergies CAF AFCON knockout qualification by defeating hosts Cote d’Ivoire 1-0 in Thursday’s titanic Group A clash.

In front of a packed Stade Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, the two African heavyweights served up a pulsating contest.

The Ivorian fans were silenced when William Troost-Ekong converted a 54th-minute penalty after Victor Osimhen was fouled.

Despite relentless roars of support, the Elephants could not find an equaliser as the Super Eagles held on for a famous victory.

Nigeria managed the closing stages expertly to condemn the stunned Elephants to their first defeat.

The Super Eagles stood tall in the face of intense Ivorian pressure to land a psychological blow on one of Africa’s proudest footballing nations.

The 1-0 triumph lifts Nigeria level on four points with surprise package Equatorial Guinea at the Group A summit.

Cote d’Ivoire remain third on three points and likely need to beat Equatorial Guinea to reach the knockouts.

By subduing the hosts in their own imposing fortress, Nigeria have emphatically revived their AFCON campaign.  

The Super Eagles stood tall in the face of intense Ivorian pressure to land a psychological blow on one of Africa’s proudest footballing nations.

Having flexed their muscles by quietening the Abidjan crowd, Peseiro’s men have sounded a warning to TotalEnergies AFCON 2023 rivals.

Below are the match facts

●       Côte d’Ivoire are only the second host country to lose in the group stage of a home Africa Cup of Nations in the 21st century, following Equatorial Guinea’s 1-0 defeat to Zambia in 2012.

●       Nigeria have scored at least one goal in 13 of their 14 Africa Cup of Nations group games over the last five editions in which they have participated, only failing to beat Madagascar in 2019 (2-0 defeat). At the same time, the Super Eagles have kept 8 clean sheets over this period.

●       1.6 goals were scored on average in the games between Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, with 11 goals scored in seven matches. This is the co-lowest ratio in a match played at least as many times in the competition (1.6 – 11 goals in 7 games also for Egypt-Morocco).

●       Côte d’Ivoire have conceded a penalty goal in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2015 and a Dieumerci Mbokani strike for DR Congo. At each of the previous two editions (2019 and 2021), the Elephants conceded a penalty before being saved by their woodworks, each time against Algeria.

●       Goalscorer in the opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations, Seko Fofana attempted five shots today against Nigeria, no Côte d’Ivoire player has attempted more in a single match in the competition since Opta began analysing this data (2010).

●       Victor Osimhen played 21 duels today against Côte d’Ivoire, the highest tally of this Africa Cup of Nations 2023. This is the third-highest tally for a Nigeria player at an AFCON since Opta began analysing this data, behind Emmanuel Emenike (25 in 2013) and Paul Onuachu (23 in 2019).

SUPER KASS beat Sakafia SHS to lift 2023/24 Ashanti Regional Inter-school Boys’ Soccer Championship

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Kumasi Anglican Senior High School(KASS) on Thursday, January 18, 2024, defeated Sakafia Senior High School to emerge champions of the 2023/24 Ashanti Regional Inter-School Boys’ Soccer Championship in Kumasi.

After a 0-0 stalemate in the first half, Asem-based KASS netted the only goal of the game in the second half to clinch their fifth title in the competition.

Prempeh College on the other hand recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory against Adu Gyamfi SHS to pick the third place.

More to follow

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