AFCON
World Cup-bound Ghana seal emphatic win over Madagascar in 2023 AFCON qualifier
Ghana got their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign underway in style when beating Madagascar 3-0 in Cape Coast on Wednesday night.
AS Roma prodigy Felix Afena-Gyan scored one and set up another to help the Black Stars to the convincing victory in the Group E game in the coastal city.
Talented playmaker Mohammed Kudus broke the deadlock on 52 minutes with a simple tap-in from Felix Afena-Gyan before the youngster doubled the lead a few moments later.
Substitute Osman Bukari wrapped the victory after using his pace to outwit his marker before rounding up goalkeeper Nina Razakirina for the emphatic win.
The home side could have won the game by a wider margin as Kudus scored in the 68th minute but was flagged offside by the match official.
The result means Ghana go top of Group E thanks to the victory after Angola defeated Central Africa Republic 2-1 in the group’s other game earlier in the day.
The Black Stars completely dominated the opening exchanges with youngsters Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Felix Afena-Gyan missing good goalscoring opportunities by the 20th minute.
Sporting Lisbon prodigy Issahaku fired over the bar after making light work of two defenders before setting up Afena-Gyan nicely for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper but shot wide.
Goalkeeper Razakirina produced an outstanding save in the 35th minute to deny Black Stars striker Jordan Ayew from scoring with a rasping strike from 45 yards.
Ghana returned from the break and Afena-Gyan managed to exploit the crack in the visitors’ defence before cutting back for Kudus who tapped in from close range.
The AS Roma attacker made it 2-0 two minutes later after poking it in with the outside of his left foot from inside the box before Bukari’s effort with four minutes left sealing the victory.
Ghana are equal at the top of the group with Angola on three points but the Black Stars top the group with a better goal difference.
The Black Stars will travel to play the Central African Republic in four days’ time while Madagascar hosts Angola in the group’s other game.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has clarified the position of interim manager of the Super Eagles, Austin Eguavoen. “He is still in charge”, the NFF Head of Communications, Ademola Olajire told Sports Village Square, this Wednesday.
Austin Eguavoen who is the Technical Director at the NFF was drafted to handle the Super Eagles when the negotiation with Germany’s Bruno Labbadia broke down. Eguavoen, a former Super Eagles player and later coach was drafted to rescue the situation.
It was claimed that having executed the Super Eagles’ immediate assignments, his job was done. But the NFF spokesman has clarified that nothing has changed from the initial announcement concerning Eguavoen.
“He remains with the team and his is an employee of the NFF which has drafted him to the Super Eagles. He remains there until the federation takes another decision.
“He was surprised when we landed from our Kigali trip and I showed the trending news on the social media.”
The Super Eagles’ next assignment will be on MatchDay 3 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month when the team hosts Libya in Uyo.
Hitherto first choice striker, Victor Osimhen was again benched in Nigeria’s second match of the on-going Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.
In Saturday’s match with Benin Republic, his having to start from the bench was hinged on his late arrival to camp. He came off the bench and found the net within six minutes.
But on Tuesday, he came in much earlier in the second half. Another striker, Taiwo Awoniyi who sat all through in the first match was a late substitute in the game against Rwanda.
At the post-match interview in Kigali, Eguavoen said that the striker’s fitness level was put to the test after a difficult summer that saw a failed move to Chelsea and a falling out with Napoli.
“Osimhen is our brother, you can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. We know what he is going through in Napoli. He just moved to Galatasaray and has not been playing active football for a while now,” Eguavoen explained.
“We are trying to manage his fitness. He played the last 25 minutes in the previous game, and today we had a word with him that he can’t play 90 minutes or else he will get injured,” he added.
The coach also addressed his decision to limit minutes for other key players, including Taiwo Awoniyi, stating that fitness and the need to balance squad rotation were key factors.
“Awoniyi had a few minutes at his club before joining us,” Eguavoen explained. “We have 23 to 40 players to choose from, but only 11 can start. It’s frustrating, but the bonding is there, and everyone is on board.”
On the team’s formation, Eguavoen revealed the challenges of preparing the squad in a short period.
“We trained for three or four days before the Benin game and then had to come here. It’s very difficult to change formation,” he said, noting that the limited time prevented the opportunity for tactical adjustments.
Despite the tactical and fitness challenges, Eguavoen remains confident in his squad’s ability to qualify for AFCON 2025.
Benin Republic came from behind to defeat Libya 2-1 in the second match of Group D’s MatchDay 2 contest in Abidjan on Tuesday night.
With the victory, Nigeria’s western neighbours now rank next to the Super Eagles of the group’s log. The Nigerians on four points and not conceding any goal yet remain atop of the group while Benin Republic with three points rank next.
The Cheetahs of Benin however have a two goal deficit in goal difference. They opened their Tuesday night game with their back on the wall as they conceded a 9th minute penalty kick that was converted by Libya’s Faisal Saleh.
The Libyans carried the lone goal advantage to half-time. Five minutes into the second half, Benin Republic restored parity from a rifling shot by Steve Mounie.
They seized the momentum and got a penalty kick which Junior Olaitan converted. The match day 3 will hold next month as Nigeria hosts Libya while Benin, playing back-to-back at home will host Rwanda. Both matches will hold on 7 October.
Tuesday’s match results
Rwanda 0-0 Nigeria
Benin 2-1 Libya
Gabon 2-0 CAR
Botswana 0-4 Egypt
Cape Verde 2-0 Mauritania
Liberia 0-3 Algeria
Chad 0-2 CIV
Zambia 3-2 S’Leone
Guinea 1-2 Tanzania
Eswatini 0-1 Mali
Mozambique 2-1 G’Bissau
Namibia 1-2 Kenya
Zimbabwe 0-0 Cameroon
S’Sudan 2-3 S/Africa
B’Faso 3-1 Malawi
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