Category: African News

Our African football page passionately on all continental topics of all National and International football news, Identifying football heroes on our continent.

AFCON 2023 top scorer Emilio Nsue suspended for 'indiscipline'
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

AFCON top scorer Emilio Nsue suspended for Indiscipline

Equatorial Guinea’s football federation has suspended Emilio Nsue, the country’s striker, indefinitely for his alleged involvement in “several episodes of serious indiscipline” during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Although Nsue finished as the top scorer at the finals with five goals in four outings, Equatorial Guinea were knocked out in the last 16. In addition to Nsue, midfielder Iban Salvador, who plays for National Thunder, has also been suspended.

The federation (Feguifut) stated that Salvador had been involved in an “unpleasant incident” in Abidjan on 29 January, the day after the team’s 1-0 defeat by Guinea, which saw them exit the tournament. Feguifut added that Ivorian police had to intervene, and the incident delayed the squad’s return to Equatorial Guinea.

Nsue, who is the all-time top international scorer for his country with 22 goals, was in Abidjan on Sunday to collect the golden boot following Ivory Coast’s victory over Nigeria in the Nations Cup final. He currently plays for Intercity and has previously played for Birmingham City and Middlesbrough.

The National Thunder’s next competitive fixtures will be in June, which is when two 2026 World Cup qualifiers are scheduled.

Emerse Fae pleased with Ivory Coast's AFCON achievement
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Emerse Fae ecstatic with Ivory Coast’s AFCON achievement

Emerse Fae, who took over from Jean-Louis Gasset, led Cote d’Ivoire’s national football team to their third CAF Africa Cup of Nations title is ecstatic.

The Elephants won the title on home soil after beating Nigeria 2-1 in a packed Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe on Sunday evening.

After the match, Fae spoke to the media and revealed that he was overwhelmed with emotions and couldn’t describe the great feeling of guiding the team to victory.

He said that it was hard to believe that they had come from almost being knocked out to winning the title.

This competition was going to mark his life, he added. Fae also won the Best Coach of the Tournament award for his tactical acumen in guiding the Elephants to the top spot.

He expressed his gratitude to the players for their hard work and to the loyal people of Cote d’Ivoire who supported them throughout the tournament.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 African News.

Sebastien Haller nets winner in Ivory Coast AFCON final win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sebastien Haller nets winner in Ivory Coast AFCON final win 

Ivory Coast won the Africa Cup of Nations final against Nigeria 2-1 on home soil on Sunday.

Emerse Faé, who played every minute in the Ivory Coast team that finished runners-up to Egypt in 2006, has now won Africa’s biggest prize in just his fourth game as a senior manager.

Sebastien Haller scored the winning goal in the 81st minute, completing a remarkable turnaround for the hosts, who won their third continental title.

Nigeria looked strong in the first half, with captain William Troost-Ekong scoring a goal with a header.

However, Ivory Coast equalised in the second half with a goal from Franck Kessie. The winning goal came from Haller, who turned in Simon Adingra’s cross.

This win sees Ivory Coast joining Nigeria on three Cup of Nations triumphs overall, and they become the first host country to win the AFCON since 2006.

Didier Drogba, who captained the Ivory Coast team that lost to Egypt in 2006, was among the spectators to witness this stunning victory for his country.

Ivory Coast has become the twelfth host nation to win the Nations Cup title. Nigeria will be left to rue their fifth defeat in the showpiece game, and their second in Abidjan after losing to Cameroon in 1984.

Ronwen Williams hero as South Africa claim AFCON 2023 bronze
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ronwen Williams hero as South Africa claim AFCON 2023 bronze

South Africa defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo 6-5 in the penalty shootout to clinch third place in the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.

Following a goalless draw in Abidjan, Bafana Bafana secured the bronze medal in the Ivory Coast after Williams saved penalty kicks from Chancel Mbemba and Meschack Elia.

South Africa’s goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was the hero of the day once again as Bafana Bafana defeated DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Since the game ended goalless, the match went straight to penalties after 90 minutes.

South Africa’s victory at the Nations Cup was their best finish since 2000. During the match, Bafana Bafana’s captain, Ronwen Williams, played a crucial role by saving two spot-kicks during the shootout.

South Africa missed their first penalty kick, causing them to fall behind in the match. However, goalkeeper Williams saved two subsequent penalties, allowing South Africa to secure third place in the competition.

Mbemba had the opportunity to win the match for their team, but Williams made a crucial save, leading to a sudden-death penalty shootout. In the end, Bafana Bafana emerged victorious.

Baciro Cande is the eighth AFCON managerial casualty
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Baciro Cande is the eighth AFCON managerial casualty

Baciro Cande, who has served as coach for Guinea-Bissau, is set to depart his position when his contract expires next month. 

Cande took over as coach of the national team in 2016 after a previous stint.

The Bissau football federation has announced that they will not be extending the 56-year-old’s contract following the team’s group-stage exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. 

The team, known as the Djurtus (Wild Dogs), finished at the bottom of Group A after losing all their three games. However, Guinea-Bissau has not won in 12 matches at the tournament, which stretches back to their debut in 2017 in Gabon. 

Cande is just one of the many coaches who have parted ways with their teams from the 2023 edition of the finals in Ivory Coast, including Rui Vitoria, Djamel Belmadi, Tom Saintfiet, Chris Hughton, Jean-Louis Gasset, Adel Amrouche (Tanzania) and Jalel Kadri (Tunisia) have recently left their teams.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – African News.