AFCON

Ahead of Afcon clash with Zimbabwe, three more players test positive in Senegal camp

Published

3 years ago

January 10, 2022

Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and striker Famara Diedhiou will join captain Kalidou Koulibaly on the sidelines for Senegal’s opening match at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon after both tested positive for COVID-19, the country’s football federation said on Sunday.

That leaves Senegal, already hit by six positive cases before they departed for the tournament, with a threadbare squad for their opening Group B clash against Zimbabwe in Bafoussam on Monday.

Koulibaly’s positive test was revealed by his club Napoli on Saturday, who said he was vaccinated and asymptomatic.

The Senegal federation then confirmed the Chelsea goalkeeper and Turkey-based striker, formerly with Bristol City, were in isolation.

Saliou Ciss, Bamba Dieng, Mame Baba Thiam, Pape Matar Sarr, Nampalys Mendy and second choice goalkeeper Alfred Gomis all remained in Dakar on Wednesday after testing positive as the team were to depart for the finals.

Ismaila Sarr, who Senegal insisted join their squad from Watford, is not available because of injury, as is Abdoulaye Seck, leaving coach Aliou Cisse with just 17 players.

“It’s a difficult and complicated situation,” Cisse told a news conference in Bafoussam on Sunday. “But we are going to be competitive and those there are going to play for those who are absent.

“We are still going into the game against Zimbabwe full of confidence.”

The Confederation of African Football has laid down strict rules regarding COVID-19.

If any player tests positive they will not be authorised to go to the stadium or participate in the match, while teams must play as long as they have a minimum of 11 players available If they have no goalkeeper available, another player must play in that position.

Teams that do not have a minimum of 11 players available will be considered to have lost the match 2-0, according to CAF.

-Reuters

AFCON

Algeria comfortably cruise past Togo to extend Group E lead

Published

4 mins ago

October 11, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Dessert Foxes extended their Group E lead with a commanding 5-1 victory over Togo on Thursday evening in a Group E clash of Match Day 03 of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Qualifiers

The resounding victory sees the former African champions extend their lead to an impressive 7 points ahead of Togo who are second on two points from three matches.

It was a one-sided affair in favour of the hosts who comfortably dominated the match, signalling their strong intentions of reclaiming their lost title, as they marked three straight wins in their quest to secure a ticket to the 2025 edition in Morocco.

Despite taking the early lead through Thibault Klidje in the 11th minute, it was the hosts who eventually emerged victorious thanks to their clinical finishing in front of goal.

A brace by Said Benrahma alongside goals by Houssem Aouer, Amine Gouiri and a last-minute strike by Mohamed Amoura saw the north African giants secure the victory in front of their highly vocal fans.

Group E action continues on Friday afternoon with an exciting clash between Equatorial Guinea and Liberia at 13h00 GMT.

AFCON

Points of Interest as Nigeria Hosts Libya in AFCON Qualifier

Published

31 mins ago

October 11, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY KUNLE SOLAJA

Nigeria Super Eagles hope to consolidate their lead in Group D of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series which enters matchday 3.

Sports Village Square brings you some points of interest in the encounter that will take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

AUGUSTINE EGUAVOEN

Nigeria’s head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, debuted as senior national team manager in a Super Eagles match with Libya. That was a friendly match played on 17 August 2005. Nigeria won 1-0 in Tripoli.

MILESTONE

The match in Uyo will be Eguavoen’s 25^{^th} match as Nigeria’s head coach in the four periods he has had to manage the team. His first tenure ran from 22 June 2005 to 6 February 2007. His second tenure was 22 July to 4 November 2010. He was called up again for the third time and was in charge of Nigeria’s matches from 11 January 2022 to 29 March 2022. His current tenure began with the Nigeria versus Benin Republic match on 7 September 2024.

MIKEL OBI

Nigeria’s former captain, Mikel Obi made his international debut in a friendly match with Libya. That was when Eguavoen handed him his first Super Eagles shirt in the 63^{^rd} minute as a substitute for Nwankwo Kanu. Mikel had previously played under Eguavoen at the U-17 World Cup in Finland in 2003.

TARIBO WEST

Former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West played his last international match when he was featured in a friendly duel with Libya in 2005. When he was substituted in the 67^{^th} minute of the match by Obinna Nwanneri, he took his final exit from the Super Eagles.

AFCON

Ghana’s problems complicated after goalless draw with Sudan

Published

9 hours ago

October 10, 2024

Kunle Solaja

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.