AFCON

SALAH MAY CHANGE ROLE IN DR CONGO MATCH

Published

5 years ago

June 24, 2019

Egyptian publication, Ahram has reported that Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah could start against DR Congo as a striker. The report quoted Pharaohs’ assistant coach, Tito Garcia to have made the declaration on Monday.

Egypt, who defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 in the Nations Cup opener, will face DR Congo on Wednesday as the Pharaohs will be looking for a win to secure their place in the competition’s round of 16.

“Aguirre is considering introducing Salah as a striker against DR Congo,” Tito Garcia told the organising committee’s official website on Monday.

“We considered using him as a striker against Zimbabwe from the game’s start, but Salah was not in top form physically due to his long season with Liverpool so he started in his regular post.”

“Salah, with his great capacities, is capable playing in any position and performing well.”

Salah started against Zimbabwe as a winger before Aguirre decided to use him as the striker in the second-half, but the Mexican coach’s manoeuvre was not successful as the Liverpool winger failed to make the anticipated impact.

Garcia added that the Pharaohs’ squad against DR Congo will see many modifications in the players’ positions according to the run of the game and the strategy of the opponent, who has many good players.

DR Congo started its campaign in the Nations Cup with a 0-2 defeat, placing at the bottom of Group A without any points.

AFCON

Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium is lucky ground for Cheetahs of Benin

Published

4 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Before meeting Rwanda last June in Abidjan in their matchday 3 duels of the World Cup qualifying series, the Benin Republic under Gernot Rohr had been having a winless run.

Rohr was employed on 28 February 2023 and had nine winless matches until they were compelled to move their home ground to Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

In their first match at the stadium on 6 June this year, they won their first-ever match under Rohr when they defeated Rwanda 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier.

They followed up four days later when they beat Nigeria 2-1. It was their first-ever victory over Nigeria since their 10-1 loss in Lagos on 29 November 1959.

Since June this year, they have won all their matches in Abidjan. Will the winning streak continue?

AFCON

‘How we will cage the Super Eagles’ – Cheetahs’ captain, Mounié

Published

4 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Captain of Cheetahs of Benin, SteveMounié has spoken on how his team intends to put the Super Eagles in check when they host them tonight at their lucky ground, the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan

Speaking at a press conference in Abidjan on Wednesday evening, he is quoted as saying that the Cheetahs know

what needs to be done to put Nigeria in difficulty.

“We will have to be very compact, defend well together, have the same idea on the field.

“ If we want to do anything against this Nigerian team, we will also have to know how to respond to them offensively while defending well. The key is to score goals,” he declared.

AFCON

‘No retreat, no surrender, we shall fight Super Eagles despite their superior weapons’ – Gernot Rohr

Published

5 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Kunle Solaja

On Wednesday evening, the eve of Benin Republic’s match with the Super Eagles in Abidjan, Benin’s manager, Gernot Rohr opened up on the game that could decide whether Cheetahs will qualify for Morocco 2025.

The technician knew what awaited his team against a Nigerian team to be feared on paper.

He spoke a little on his defensive strategy, especially the inclusion of two players – Ryan Adigo and Lenny Pirringuel – in his squad.

” Ryan has been playing full-back for a few months now at his club (Lokomotive Leipzig in Germany). We needed someone in that position, and that’s why he’s here. Lenny has changed clubs. With his liveliness, he can bring us something. Both of them can help us from tomorrow. They’re good! ” said the Franco-German coach.

Counting on the young talents he has in his team, Gernot Rohr says he’s ready to create a surprise against the Super Eagles.

” When I said yesterday (Tuesday) that Nigeria is practically at full strength, it is neither fear nor dread. I am realistic.

“We know that they are favourites on paper and that it will take a feat to beat them again.

“But, we are confident, despite the absences that we have, that we can play a good match.

“We have our say. It is true that we will know the result of the Rwanda-Libya match before the start of our encounter but that will not influence our desire to win. We want to win this match,” he added.