The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AFCON

  • Ghana unveils 26-man provisional AFCON squad

    Ghana unveils 26-man provisional AFCON squad

    Ghana coach Avram Grant on Monday named a provisional 26-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon, with Leicester City’s Jeff Schlupp a surprise omission.

    Schlupp’s Leicester team-mate, Daniel Amartey, was included as was another English Premier League player, Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew of West Ham, the BBC reports.

    Aston Villa’s Jordan Ayew – Andre’s brother – was one of three English Championship players named, alongside Christian Atsu of Newcastle and Andy Diadom of Barnsley.

    There was no place for Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah who is recuperating from knee injuries.

    The Black Stars will go to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a training camp from where Grant will reveal his final 23-man squad on January 4.

    The tournament kicks off in Gabon on January 14.

    Ghana will be based in Port-Gentil and faces Mali, Egypt and Uganda in Group D.

    The Black Stars’ first match will be against Uganda on January 17.

    The squad:

    Goalkeepers: Razak Braimah (Cordoba, Spain), Adam Kwarasey (Rosenborg, Norway), Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars, Ghana).

    Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA), Andy Yiadom (Barnsley, England), Baba Rahman (Schalke, Germany), Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium), John Boye (Sivasspor,Turkey), Jonathan Mensah (Anzhi, Russia), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City, England), Edwin Gyimah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa).

    Midfielders: Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy), Afriyie Acquah (Torino, Italy), Mubarak Wakaso (Panathinaikos, Greece), Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England), Ebenezer Ofori (AIK Stockholm, Sweden), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Samuel Tetteh (Leifering, Austria), Joseph Larweh Attamah (Başakşehir, Turkey).

    Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ahli, UAE) Jordan Ayew (Aston Villa, England), Abdul-Majeed Waris (Lorient, France), Andre Ayew (West Ham, England), Ebenezer Assifuah (Sion, Switzerland), Bernard Tekpetey (Schalke, Germany), Rahpael Dwamena (Austria Lustenau, Austria).

  • Senegal lists Mane, four other EPL stars in AFCON squad

    Senegal lists Mane, four other EPL stars in AFCON squad

    Senegal has included five England-based players in the 23-man squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon.

    The Teranga Lions could be spearheaded in attack by Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and Mame Biram Diouf of Stoke, the BBC reports.

    And the Senegalese midfield could be filled by three more from England in the shape of Cheikhou Kouyate of West Ham, Newcastle’s Mohamed Diame and Everton’s Idrissa Gana Gueye.

    Senegal begins its AFCON campaign against Tunisia on January 15.

    The 2002 FIFA World Cup quarter finalists will also face Algeria and Zimbabwe in Group B of the tournament starting on January 14 in Gabon.

    The squad:

    Goalkeepers: Khadim N’Diaye (Horoya AC, Guinea), Abdoulaye Diallo (Çaykur Rizespor, Turkey), Pape Seydou N’Diaye (ASC Niarry Tally)

    Defenders: Lamine Gassama (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Cheikh M’Bengue (Saint-Etienne, France), Kara Mbodj (Anderlecht, Belgium), Zargo Toure (Lorient, France), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli, Italy), Saliou Ciss (Valenciennes, France)

    Midfielders: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton, England), Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham, England), Cheikh N’Doye (Angers, France), Papakouli Diop (Espanyol, Spain), Henri Saivet (Saint Etienne, France), Papa Alioune Ndiaye (Osmanlıspor, Turkey), Mohamed Diame (Newcastle, England)

    Forwards: Sadio Mane (Liverpool England), Keita Balde Diao (Lazio, Italy), Moussa Konate (FC Sion, Switzerland), Famara Diedhiou (Angers, France), Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke, England), Ismaila Sarr (Metz, France), Moussa Sow (Fenerbahce, Turkey).

     

  • Cote d’Ivoire lists Wilfried Zaha in AFCON squad

    Cote d’Ivoire lists Wilfried Zaha in AFCON squad

    Crystal Palace winger, Wilfried Zaha, has been named in Cote d’Ivoire’s provisional squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon.

    Zaha’s inclusion followed his decision to switch international allegiance from England to the West African nation, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    The 24-year-old was born in Cote d’Ivoire but has two England caps, playing in friendlies against Sweden in November 2012 and Scotland the following year.

    Manchester United defender, Eric Bailly, has also been called up to the 24-man squad by French coach Michel Dussuyer.

    The coach also called up veteran forward, Salomon Kalou, who is set to appear in his fifth Nations Cup.

    “Gervinho’s absence out injured weighs down on us, for sure. But we have had several weeks to get used to the idea,” NAN quoted Dussuyer as saying to journalists at a press conference in Abidjan.

    “The arrival of Zaha is therefore great news. His profile is similar to Gervinho’s.’’

     

    The squad:

    Goalkeepers: Sylvain Gbohuo (TP Mazembe — DR Congo), Badra Sangare (AS Tanda — Ivory Coast), Mande Sayouba (Stabaek — Norway)

    Defenders: Serge Aurier (PSG — France), Mamadou Bagayoko (St Trond VV — Belgium), Eric Bailly (Manchester United — England), Simon Deli (Slavia Prague — Czech Rep), Ousmane Diarrassouba (Adanaspor — Turkey),Wilfried Kanon (ADO La Haye — Netherlands), Lamine Kone (Sunderland AFC — England), Adama Traore (FC Basle — Switzerland)

    Midfielders: Victorien Angban (Granada — Spain), Cheik Doukoure (FC Metz — France), Franck Kessie (Atalanta — Italy), Yao N’guessan (AS Nancy — France), Geoffroy Die (FC Bâsle — Switzerland), Jean Seri (OGC Nice — France)

    Forwards: Wilfried Bony (Stoke City FC — England), Max Gradel (Bournemouth — England), Salomon Kalou (Hertha Berlin — Germany), Jonathan Kodjia (Aston Villa — England), Nicolas Pepe (Angers — France), Giovanni Sio (Stade Renne — France), Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace — England).

     

  • Aubameyang, Lemina head Gabon AFCON squad

    Aubameyang, Lemina head Gabon AFCON squad

    Borussia Dortmund star, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina head Gabon’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad unveiled Tuesday by manager Jose Antonio Camacho.

    Bruno Ecuele Manga of English Championship side Cardiff City, China-based Malick Evouna and Sunderland’s Didier Ndong are also in the hosts’ squad for the continental showpiece starting on January 14, supersport.com reports.

    Gabon reached the quarter finals when it co-hosted the AFCON with Equatorial Guinea in 2012.

    The Panthers will play in Group A alongside Guinea-Bissau, Cameroon and Burkina Faso.

     

    The full squad:

     

    Goalkeepers: Didier Ovono (KV Ostende/BEL), Yves Stéphane Bitséki Moto (CF Mounana/GAB), Anthony Mfa Mezui

    Defenders: Lloyd Palun (Red Star/FRA), André Biyogho Poko (Karabukspor/TUR), Aaron Appindangoye (Laval/FRA), Franck Perrin Obambou (Stade Mandji/GAB), Bruno Ecuélé Manga (Cardiff City/WAL), Yoann Wachter (Sedan/FRA), Johann Serge Obiang (Troyes/FRA), Benjamin Zé Ondo (Mosta/MAL)

    Midfielders: Junior Serge Martinsson Ngouali (IF Brommapojkarna/SWE), Levy Clément Madinda (Nastic Tarragona/ESP), Guélor Kanga Kaku (Red Star Belgrade/SRB), Merlin Tandjigora (Meixian Hakka/CHN), Didier Ndong (Sunderland/ENG), Samson Mbingui (Raja Casablanca/MAR), Mario Lemina (Juventus/ITA)

    Forwards: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Malick Evouna (Tianjin Teda/CHN), Denis Athanase Bouanga (Tours/FRA), Serge Kevyn Aboue Angoue (Uniao Leiria/POR), Cedric Ondo Biyoghe (CF Mounana/GAB).

  • Ighalo laments AFCON miss

    Ighalo laments AFCON miss

    Watford forward, Odion Ighalo, has admitted that he is unhappy that Nigeria will not be participating at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon.

    Seven-time champions, Egypt, secured the AFCON ticket from Group G that also paraded Tanzania and Chad, Goal reports.

    The ex- Granada striker said the reality of Super Eagles failure will finally hit home when the championship begins on January 14.

    “I felt bad – not just me but Nigerians as a whole are not happy,” Goal quoted Ighalo as saying to BBC Sport.

    “Seeing teams playing in the Nations Cup and you see yourself at home. You know you’re not going to the Nations Cup and that’s when I am going to feel bad.”

    “You know you don’t have to dwell on that. We don’t have to kill ourselves about that.

    “We have to work towards the next one and keep pushing. Hopefully we will qualify.”

     

  • Ghana’s Asamoah opts out of AFCON

    Ghana’s Asamoah opts out of AFCON

    Juventus midfielder, Kwadwo Asamoah, has reportedly asked to be left out of Ghana’s squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

    Asamoah, who has over 60 caps for the Black Stars and represented the team at four AFCON tournaments and two World Cups, has reportedly asked Coach Avram Grant not to consider him for the tournament in Gabon.

    GHANASoccernet reports that a radio station in Kumasi, where Asamoah hails from, claimed Grant was considering the midfielder for his final 23-man squad.

    However, Asamoah has asked the Black Stars boss not to consider him for the tournament while he is still recovering from a career-threatening knee injury.

    The 28-year-old, africanFootball.com reports has spent much of the last two years on the sidelines due to injury and fears that a trip to Gabon for the AFCON could cause a relapse of the injury.

    Ghana faces Uganda, Mali and Egypt in Group D of the continental tournament starting on January 14.

  • WCQ: Chipolopolo relies on fans’ support against Eagles

    WCQ: Chipolopolo relies on fans’ support against Eagles

  • Rohr invites Olympics stars, Osimhen for Tanzania clash

    Rohr invites Olympics stars, Osimhen for Tanzania clash

    Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr, has invited six players from the Dream Team VI campaigning in the ongoing Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for next month’s African Nations Cup (AFCON) qualifier against Tanzania.

    The Franco-German coach overlooked the Olympics team leading scorer, Oghenekaro Etebo, for the match slated for September 3 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

    Germany- based Victor Osimhen, who is expected to sign a professional contract with Wolfsburg in January, was handed a surprise call up by Rohr, africanFootball.com reports.

    Members of the U-23 team listed for the AFCON qualifier are – Emmanuel Daniel, William Troost-Ekong, Shehu Abdullahi, Kingsley Madu, Mikel Obi and Imoh Ezekiel.

    Porto FC defender, Chidozie Awaziem, was also invited after missing May’s friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg in Europe.

    The full squad:

    Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah).

    Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Troost-Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); Jamiu Alimi (Kano Pillars); Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France), Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia).

    Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Nosa Igiebor (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel).

    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Imoh Ezekiel (Al-Arabi Sporting Club, Qatar), Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Brown Ideye (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Victor Osimhen (Wolfsburg FC, Germany).

  • U-20 AFCON qualifier: No bonus again for Flying Eagles

    U-20 AFCON qualifier: No bonus again for Flying Eagles

    Players and officials of Nigeria’s U-20 men’s team left Calabar for Abuja on Sunday without being paid their bonuses for a win over Burundi, AfricanFootball.com can confirm.

    The ‘Flying Eagles’ defeated the ‘Young Swallows’ of Burundi 2-1 on Saturday and 3-1 on aggregate to progress to the last qualifying round of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

    But just as it was in the first leg when they won 1-0 in Bujumbura, the players and officials didn’t receive their bonuses from the cash-strapped Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    The NFF have struggled to offset the bonuses of national teams in recent times, with the issue also affecting the Super Eagles.

    “We haven’t received our bonuses yet, even from the first leg,” a source within the team informed.

  • CAF disqualifies Kenya from U-20 AFCON qualifiers

    CAF disqualifies Kenya from U-20 AFCON qualifiers

    The Organising Committee for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations has disqualified Kenya from the 2017 edition for fielding five ineligible players against Sudan.

    The East Africans fielded the players during their First Round first leg clash against Sudan on April 3 at the El Merreikh Stadium in Khartoum, which ended 1-1.

    The five players include Erick Otieno, born on Sept. 27, 1996, Nicholas Kipkirui, born on May 31, 1996, and Boniface Muchiri, born on Aug. 23, 1996.

    The rest are Eugene Mukangula, born on June 22, 1996 and Theodore Kilele, born on Sept. 25, 1996.

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF), in a statement on its website, said this was contrary to a circular sent to all National Associations.

    It had said only players born on Jan. 1, 1997 or after are eligible to participate in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Zambia in 2017.

    “The Organising Committee, after its findings, concluded that the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) clearly violated article 40.11 of the competition’s regulations.

    “The regulation states that a team which allows a non-qualified or a suspended player to take part in a direct knockout match shall lose the match and shall be eliminated from the competition, even in the absence of protests.’’

    CAF General Secretary Hicham El Amrani said the Kenyan under-20 national team has consequently been disqualified from the preliminaries.

    In a letter dated April 19, addressed to the CEO of FKF, CAF also said the Sudanese under-20 national team has qualified for the next round.

    It however pointed out that the decision could be contested before the CAF Appeal Board within three days of notification.