Category: Football Africa

The Black Stars of Ghana could be eliminated from the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations after a late Mozambique surge saw them held to a 2-2 draw in their final group-stage game at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara on Monday.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cape Verde, Egypt progress, Ghana set for exit after draw

The Black Stars of Ghana are on the brink of being eliminated from the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations after a late Mozambique surge saw them held to a 2-2 draw in their final group-stage game at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara on Monday.

The West Africans were leading 2-0 into second-half injury time as the four-time winners looked destined for a place in the round of 16.

Mozambique staged a fashionable last-gasp comeback that may have dumped Chris Hughton’s Ghana out of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Two penalties from Crystal Palace attacker Jordan Ayew had put four-time champions Ghana on their way to victory. However, late goals from Geny Cipriano Catamo and Reinaldo Isnard Mandava dented hopes.

In the Group’s other matches, Cape Verde and Egypt played to a 2-2 entertaining draw at the Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.

As a result, both sides progressed as the Blue Sharks emerged as group winners, followed by seven-time holders Egypt.

“I take responsibility for this performance,” ex-Newcastle and Ghana boss Hughton said. “As head coach, I have not done well enough in this competition.”

“We’ve played three games and we’ve conceded two goals in each of these games, and we haven’t put ourselves in a winning position where we could score goals.”

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Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria qualify for Cup of Nations last 16 from Group A
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Equatorial Guinea & Nigeria qualify for Cup of Nations last 16

Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea and Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the last 16 knockout stages of the 2023 Cup of Nations on Monday.

Equatorial Guinea convincingly hammered hosts Ivory Coast 4-0 with a brace from danger man Emilio Nsue, a 34-year-old right back of the Spanish 3rd Division side based in Alicante (In Photo) and a goal apiece from Pablo Ganet and Jannick Buyla at Ebimpe’s Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium.

As a result, Afcon 2023 hosts Ivory Coast’s chances of progressing to the knock-out phase are out of their hands as they finish third place in Group A.

The four best third-placed sides across the six groups progress to the last 16.

Nigeria, who ended second behind Equatorial Guinea, progressed after a first-half Opa Sangante own at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium.

José Peseiro’s men will face the team that finishes second in Group C on Saturday, 27 January. Group winners Equatorial Guinea is set to face a third-placed side from Group C, D, or E in the last 16 on Sunday.

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Zambia coach Avram Grant hopeful ahead of Morocco tie
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zambia coach Avram Grant hopeful ahead of Morocco tie

Zambia head coach Avram Grant has expressed optimism following his side’s draw against Tanzania on Sunday in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023. 

Tanzania were searching for their first Africa Cup of Nations win in 44 years but was dashed when Zambia snatched a late 1-1 Group F draw in San-Pedro.

Grant’s men scored late through Patson Daka’s header to rescue a draw against the Taifa Stars. 

“It’s a disappointing result. We knew it wouldn’t be an easy match after watching Tanzania’s match against Morocco. It’s true that we started well too but we conceded a goal quickly and that changed our tactics especially after the red card,” Grant told journalists in a post-match Interview.

“It’s difficult to play with ten players. But I’m happy with the boys’ reaction. They gave everything to come back.”

Zambia’s final group outing is against the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalist and favourites Morocco on Wednesday. 

Grant believes his team will show up and deliver against the Atlas Lions. 

“We already know that Morocco is a big team but we are not afraid of them. We will play them and I hope we will put up a good performance. We will have to show character,”

“That’s what we try to do every day, get better. And on all levels. Since I have been coaching this team, we have progressed in several areas but we must continue. Even when you become champion, you have to continue to improve the team.”

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Morocco held by DR Congo in Cup of Nations encounter
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco held by DR Congo in Cup of Nations encounter 

On Sunday, Les Léopards of DR Congo halted Atlas Lion’s perfect start following their 1-1 draw at the Stade Laurent Pokou in their Matchday two Africa Cup of Nations.

PSG’s defender Achraf Hakimi had given the Atlas Lions an early lead, but DR Congo rallied their equaliser through Silas Katompa Mvumpa.

Morocco came into the tie searching for their second win and took the lead just six minutes when Hakimi rifled home after being found up by Hakim Ziyech.

DR Congo was handed a lifeline when VAR awarded a penalty after a Moroccan handball in the box on 42 minutes. However, Cedric Bakambu squandered the golden opportunity to equalise.

The Leopards finally drew parity in the 76th-minutes when Silas Katompa Mvumpa converted Elia Meschack’s assist.

Despite the draw, Morocco remains top on four points, DR Congo second on two, and all still to play for in Group F.

Morocco faces Zambia next, while DR Congo tackles Tanzania in their final pool matches on Wednesday.

DR Congo striker Silas Katompa Mvumpa, who came to the Leopard’s rescue, expressed frustration in his post-match interview.

“There was room at the end for us to get all three points. We saw the Moroccans were tired and had opportunities,” Mvumpa, who was Man of the Match, told reporters.

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Guinea's win over Gambia delights Coach Kaba Diawara
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea’s win over Gambia delights Coach Kaba Diawara

Guinea coach Kaba Diawara was delighted after his side came out with a 1-0 victory over the Gambia on Friday’s match day two Group C encounter.

The Syli national took a pivotal step towards reaching the Cup of Nations 2023 last sixteen through Mohamed Bayo’s only goal.

“This victory is payback for that previous loss, which was so hard to take,” Diawara told reporters. Winning is more important because it shows we’ve improved over two years and worked hard to get better.”

The former Guinea international felt the performance highlighted their progress despite first-half struggles.

“What didn’t go well early on was our lack of efficiency, but after changes, things improved,” analysed Diawara.

“Creating chances is the hard part, now we just need to finish them off, and that will come in time.”

Gambia head coach Tom Saintfiet, on the other hand, remains optimistic. “In the first half Guinea were stronger but in the second period we raised our level more,” the Belgian stated.

“We can still qualify with three points in our next game,” Saintfiet noted of the Scorpions boss.

Guinea still has an uphill task against already-qualified Senegal in Tuesday’s West African derby. The Gambia must defeat Cameroon and see if they will be one of the best losers to make the last 16.

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