Category: African News

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Nigeria soar into Afcon semis as Lookman nets winner
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria soar into Afcon semis as Lookman nets winner 

Nigeria defeated Angola 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, thanks to a goal from Ademola Lookman in the first half at Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.

It was Lookman’s third in his last three games at the tournament after his brace against Cameroon in the round of sixteen tie.

Moses Simon assisted the goal, and it came just four minutes before half-time in Abidjan. 

Although Angola had a chance through Zine, who hit the post before the hour mark, they were second-best for most of the game. 

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen’s had a goal disallowed by the video assistant referee, who ruled him offside in the 75th minute. 

Champions in 1980, 1994 and 2013, Jose Peseiro’s side certainly have plenty of positives to build on as they head into the semi-finals.

Nigeria will now face either Cape Verde or South Africa in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Nigeria are through to the AFCON 2023 Semi-finals
Nigeria are through to the AFCON 2023 Semi-finals
DR Congo in hunt for first AFCON win over Guinea
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

DR Congo in hunt for first AFCON win over Guinea

On Friday evening, the contest will take place at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpé as DR Congo in search of their first Cup of Nations win over Guinea for a place in the semi-finals.

This will be the fourth meeting between the two nations at the AFCON. DR Congo has never beaten Guinea in three previous group stage meetings, including a 2-1 loss in their last meeting in 2004.

DR Congo has reached the quarter-finals without winning a single game in normal time. However, defender Gédéon Kalulu believes that psychological victories can help them progress. “Certainly, we can note two victories on the psychological front. The first is having beaten a top 5 side on penalties, and the second is not conceding many goals,” said Kalulu.

Guinea is expected to have key players Naby Keita and Serhou Guirassy back from injury, which will boost the team’s morale. “Naby and Serhou are getting better and better. They are two very important assets for our team. Their entries in previous matches were crucial for us,” noted Guinea midfielder Amadou Diawara.

With a chance to make it to the AFCON semi-finals for the first time since 2015, Guinea striker Sory Kaba stressed the need for efficiency. “Against a compact Congolese team, we will have to be rigorous and efficient. The team that makes the least mistakes will go through,” Kaba stated.

The winner of this game face either Mali or Ivory Coast in the semifinal next week.

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

Nigeria's Super Eagles must fancy their chance against Angola
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Fancy Nigeria in delish quarterfinal against Angola

The three-time Cup of Nations champions Nigeria must feel confident about their chances of playing against Angola in the first quarter-final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Friday.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are the latest favourite to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, with many of the continent’s big teams out before the quarter-final stage.

But first, they will have to do themselves justice against a wounded Angola side. This match promises to be exciting for the neutral spectators, as both teams in previous matches have shown a willingness to concede possession and pounce on counter-attacks. 

Angola’s Gelson Dala and Cristóvão Paciência Mabululu, who are among the top scorers at the tournament, will surely pounce on any lacklustre from the Super Eagles defence.

The two nations have met 10 times before, with Nigeria winning three, drawing five, and losing two. Angola defeated Nigeria 1-0 during the FIFA World Cup Africa Group 4 match held at the Estadio da Cidadela, Luanda in June 2004. However, they shared the spoils in the return fixture in June 2005 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

According to predictions, Nigeria is expected to win against Angola and either Cape Verde or South Africa and advance to the final on February 11. However, with some surprising results in the tournament so far, Nigeria will need to put in more effort to achieve victory.

The West Africans ranked 42nd in the current FIFA Rankings as the highest-ranked side left in the competition following the exit of Morocco (13th), reigning champions Senegal (20th), Tunisia (28th), Algeria (30th) and Egypt (33rd). 

In comparison, Angola is the lowest-ranked team (117th) left at AFCON 2023 and will be out to cause one of the biggest shocks in recent memory at the tournament. However, the Palancas Negras topped Group D and eliminated Namibia in the round of sixteen – they have won three out of their last four matches at the tournament. 

Throughout the tournament, Nigeria and Angola have had less possession than their opponents, with Nigeria averaging 45.0% and Angola 44.0%. But both teams have been very effective in creating chances from counter-attacks. 

Angola and South Africa lead the tournament with five shots each from counter-attacks, with Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea following closely behind with four.

Ademola Lookman scored twice as the Super Eagles knocked out another heavyweight Cameroon with the help of Victor Osimhen’s fighting spirit.

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

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos eyes AFCON final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos eyes AFCON final 

South Africa’s coach, Hugo Broos, has encouraged his players to aim high and “dream of the final” following their victory over Morocco, the favorites for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena scored the goals in a 2-0 win over 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, Morocco, on Tuesday. 

The 1996 holders will face Cape Verde in the quarter-finals on Saturday at 20:00 GMT. 

South Africa began the tournament with a 2-0 defeat by Mali but went on to secure qualification from a group that saw 2004 champions Tunisia knocked out. 

Broos stressed the importance of growing as a team throughout the tournament, and he believes that their victory over Morocco has given them the confidence to aim higher. 

“The most important thing is that you can grow in a tournament, when you become better and better,” said Broos.

“It’s very good in a tournament that South Africa does it. We eliminated Tunisia. And we were ready to have the confrontation with Morocco.

“If you can win that, then the confidence is so big that we dream now of the final.”

“It was a difficult game, Morocco is still a difficult side and it does not take away how good they are that we won,” South Africa forward Percy Tau said.

“We’ve always been a serious team but for us to win against Morocco and [draw with] Tunisia and to get out of our group, it also gives us a good reputation.

“It does not take away how difficult this tournament is. And that the next game is still going to be also difficult.”

Broos, who is Belgian, has previously won the Afcon trophy himself, guiding Cameroon to victory in 2017.

AFCON 2023 Quarter finals schedules
AFCON 2023 Quarter finals schedules
Mali oust neighbours Burkina Faso in AFCON last 16 duel
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali oust neighbours Burkina Faso in AFCON last 16 duel

Mali secured their place in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 quarter-finals with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday in Korhogo.

As a result, they face tournament hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter-finals on Saturday, 3 February in Bouake.

Mali took the lead just three minutes into the game when a powerful header from Amadou Haidara hit the woodwork and rebounded off Edmond Tabsoba’s clearance, ending up in his net.

Mali continued to dominate the game and had several chances to extend their lead but were unable to convert them into goals.

In the second half, Lassine Sinayoko doubled Mali’s lead by beating the offside trap and slotting the ball past the keeper. However, Burkina Faso was given a lifeline when Mohamed Konate’s header struck the arm of Boubacar Kouyate, and VAR awarded a penalty which Bertrand Traore converted.

Burkina Faso piled on the pressure in the remaining minutes of the game, but Mali’s defense held strong and ensured victory.