AFCON
Nigerian legend, Amuneke tips Algeria to win Afcon again
Emmanuel Amuneke won the 1994 AFCON title with Nigeria Super Eagles and was Tanzania’s coach in the 2019 edition in Egypt. He is a member of the Technical Study Group (TSG) of the Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021, and spoke to CAFOnline.com about his view of the 9 January – 6 February 2022 tournament.
CAFOnline.com: What are your expectations for this edition of AFCON?
“I expect it to be better than the previous edition. The 2019 edition in Egypt was the first Africa Cup of Nations with 24 teams, and this will be the second time.
“We have newcomers like Gambia and Comoros, this shows that African football is progressing. AFCON is a tournament watched and followed around the world. Therefore, despite the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this tournament must rise to international standards.
“Africa must show that its flagship competition is making giant strides. We are going to discover new stars. I am very positive.”
Who are the favorites in your opinion?
“Algeria is the reigning champions, and they are the favorites. Senegal is a very strong team, so are the hosts Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco and Tunisia. It will be very difficult to predict who will win the title because we have so many great teams here.
“There are big changes in African football, players with a global dimension, it is promising. In Europe today, African footballers play the leading roles in their clubs and evolve in the top clubs in the world. That must be reflected in this competition.”
Despite the African football progress, all African representatives came out in the first round in Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup. What was the problem?
“We have to wait to get an idea of our next representatives in Qatar 2022. Either way, we must learn from our mistakes in Russia 2018.
“We weren’t very far, but our representatives were missing things. It was not the quality of our players that was the problem, but we struggled to find tactical solutions to the equations posed by our opponents. The main thing is to have learned the lessons and try to move forward next time.”
Do you think this AFCON edition will be a good preparation for African teams in Qatar 2022?
“It’s clear that the teams here will have a certain advantage and a great opportunity, despite that the play-offs have nothing to do with the Africa Cup of Nations.
“The teams present in Cameroon are of great quality, and personally I cannot predict the future AFCON winner because all the teams are of such quality. With this competition, the teams will know at what level they can be and have an idea of what remains for them to do. In terms of preparation, we couldn’t get better.”
What about Nigeria in this AFCON 2021?
“We would have liked to see players like Victor Oshimen who is doing very well in a very tough league in Italy. But the most important in life is health and we pray he will regain his health very quickly.
“He will play other tournaments for his country and certainly the World Cup qualifying play-offs. Oshimen is a young footballer, but he is part of the present and future of Nigerian,
“African and world football. It’s sad not to see him at AFCON, but he will be there soon. Despite everything, the selected players have a lot of quality. Nigeria will bravely defend their chances in this competition.”
-Cafonline
Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign stuttered again as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Sudan at Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday.
Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Ghana could not find a breakthrough.
The Black Stars now sit third in Group F with just two points from three matches, while Sudan’s point lifts them to second with four points.
Angola leads the group with six points from two games, while Niger is bottom with one point. Angola will face Niger on Friday.
In a frustrating match for Ghana, Mohammed Kudus and Iñaki Williams came closest to scoring, but Sudan’s defence, marshalled by goalkeeper Mohamed Al Mustafa, stood firm.
Ghana’s attacking players struggled to break down a resolute Sudanese side that managed to keep the game scoreless despite intense late pressure.
DR Congo maintained their perfect record in Group H of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with a narrow 1-0 victory over Tanzania at Stade des Martyrs, thanks to a second-half own goal by Clement Mzize.
The mishap occurred in the 53rd minute when Mzize inadvertently deflected a Congo cross into his own net, giving the hosts a crucial lead.
This win propels DR Congo to nine points from three matches, firmly establishing them at the top of the group.
Tanzania, meanwhile, remains in second place with four points, while Ethiopia and Guinea, both yet to win a game, sit in third and fourth, respectively, ahead of their upcoming clash on Saturday.
The match was a tense affair, with Tanzania creating chances but failing to convert.
Mbwana Samatta and Feisal Salum tested the DR Congo defense, but the hosts stood strong, while Arthur Masuaku nearly doubled the lead for Congo, hitting the bar from a free-kick late in the second half.
The result leaves Tanzania needing a positive result in their next match to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Botswana secured a vital 1-0 away victory against Cape Verde in their Africa Cup of Nations Group C qualifier on Thursday, thanks to an early goal by Tumisang Orebonye.
The forward found the net just two minutes into the match, capitalizing on a quick break and a precise through ball from Kabelo Seakanyeng to send a powerful shot into the top corner.
The win lifts Botswana to three points, tying them with Cape Verde, who have also accumulated three points from three games.
Egypt tops the group with six points from two matches, while Mauritania, with one point, will play Egypt on Friday, hoping to close the gap.
Cape Verde pushed hard for an equalizer, dominating possession and creating numerous chances, but Botswana’s resolute defense, led by Goitseone Phoko in goal, held firm.
Fabrício Garcia and Jovane Cabral came close to scoring late in the game, but Botswana managed to see out the win, leaving Cape Verde frustrated as their hopes of advancing now hang in the balance.
Ghana’s problems complicated after goalless draw with Sudan
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Botswana stun Cape Verde
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