The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Cameroon

  • AFCON 2021 Draw: Nigeria leads top 12 seeded teams

    Three time Nations cup winners Nigeria lead the list of top football nations seeded ahead of the draw for the 2021 Nations cup to be hosted by Cameroon.

    Apart from Nigeria other seeded countries in Pot 1 are Cameroon, Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, DR Congo,  Ghana, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ivory coast, and Algeria.

    The draw for the qualifying round of the 2021 African cup of Nations, will take place on Thursday, 18 July 2019, at Aida Ballroom Cairo Marriott Hotel, Zamalek. This will be during the 32nd CAF General Assembly, scheduled for that same date and venue.

    According to Confederation of African Football, the teams have been seeded into five levels, according to the FIFA official ranking issued on the 14th of June 2019

    Pot 2 consist of medium rank teams like Guinea, South Africa, Cape Vert, Uganda, Zambia, Benin, Gabon, Congo, Mauritania, Niger, Kenya and Libya, who are seeded teams of level 2.

    In pot 3, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, central Africa, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Angola, Malawi, Togo, Sudan and Tanzania, constitute the block of teams seeded in level 3.

    Pot 4 is made up of Burundi, Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Comoros and Ethiopia as seeded teams of level 4.

    The 5th and the last pot, has Liberia, Mauritius, Gambia, South Sudan, Chad, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles and Djibouti, as level 5 seeded Teams.

    The draw will give 12 groups of four teams each (Group A to L). The first two teams in each group at the end of the qualifying round, will qualify for the 2021 Nations cup which will be the second time AFCON will be featuring 24 teams.

    Cameroon who were stripped of the right to host the 2019 Nations cup have a chance of hosting the continental fiesta in 2021, 49 years the last hosted in 1972. Cameroon who have won the tournament five times crashed out in the round of 16 in Egypt losing 3-2 to Nigeria.

    Eswatini formerly known as Swaziland will be hoping to qualify and have an opportunity to make a debut at the Nations cup in Cameroon, just like Burundi, Madagascar and Mauritania enjoyed a test of the tournament in this year’s edition which ends on Friday.

    The Sihlangu Semnikati (king Shield) as the national team of Eswatini are called, were beaten 4-0 by Tunisia in Rades in the qualifiers leading to Egypt 2019.

  • Victory over Cameroon: Super Eagles N63million richer

     

    Call it dollar rain and you will be perfectly correct as Super Eagles look set to be rewarded with $175,000 (About N63million).

    The largesse is courtesy of Alteo boss Benedict Peters who had just before the match promised to give the team $100,000 if they beat Cameroon and addition promise of $25,000 per goal.

    Eagles did not only make defeat of Cameroon a reality but scored three goals thanks Ighalo and Iwobi.

    Although there were glaring shortfalls in the match Nigerians believe it is was a major improvement compared to what the team played leading to a 2-0 loss to Madagascar in the last group match.

    Cameroon are thus became the second  high profile team to exit Egypt just a day after Morocco were sent packing by Benin Republic contrary to permutations in some quarters.

    Saturday’s match saw two African legends Samuel Eto and Nwankwo Kanu watching from a vintage position, jubilating intermittently depending on which way the pendulum was swinging.  It was however Kanu who smile last at the end of regulation time.

  • Race for last Eight:  I am ready to play anywhere-Iwobi

    In what sounds like a desperate move to save a dicey situation, Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi has declared his readiness to play in any position provided his effort will help the Eagles overcome Cameroon Saturday in Alexandria.

    The 23 year old who has since become a must play for both club and country admitted that defending champions Cameroon will not be a soft nut to crack, adding that the encounter will demand a lot of wits.

    He described the 2-0 defeat by debutants Madagascar as an indication that the Eagles need to do more and should ginger the team to go the extra mile as that result is a true confirmation that there are no longer minnows in football.

    “No doubt there are positives even from the last defeat. It has not only given us a bit of humility but will give us the hunger to fight harder in the next game,” he said

    The former England under 16, 17 and 18 ace is one of the players Gernot Rohr is banking on to help him stay in Egypt beyond Saturday.

    The German tactician who has always been five and six with his employers Nigeria football Federation (NFF) has recently been given thumbs down by some of the officials who blamed him for players protest over unpaid allowances, while hinting that he is likely to be fired should he fail to overcome the Cameroonian challenge in the round of 16.

    The former Gabon and Burkina Faso coach who led Super Eagles to group stage ouster at the last world cup in Russia will be hoping to outwit the Cameroonian  technical bench anchored by the duo of Clarence Seedorf and former teammate Patrick

    Kluivert.

    Nigeria failed to qualify for the last two editions of the Nations cup with some analysts insisting that a return after missing two editions should be an opportunity to announce that the Eagles are back and better.

  • Round of 16 clash with Eagles: Seedorf reels out dos and don’ts for Lions

    Cameroon coach Clarence Seedorf has highlighted two things Indomitable Lions must do as they prepare to face Super Eagles in the round of on Saturday.

    The Dutchman who is managing a national team for the first time, said the lions must maintain in tempo in terms of defense but must combine the barricade with ability to create and take chances”

    “We have to improve a few details, especially in the last part of the field, to be a bit smarter, create more chances,” he said.

    That the team did not concede any goal in the group stage according to him is an indication that Lions are doing well by making it difficult for opponents to create chances.

    Seedorf who made career 640 appearances for the seven different clubs he played for, scoring 100 goals, will be hoping to outwit German tactician Gernot Rohr when both teams battle for a place in the last eight in Alexandria.

    Goal scoring appear to be a common denominator for both teams as both teams  only managed to score two goals in three matches of the group stage.

    Seedorf who took over the lions last year however remains optimistic that the side will up their game against perennial rivals Nigeria. 

    A number of soccer fans who spoke to Sportinglife.ng ahead of Saturday’s encounter avoided predicting possible scoreline with many confessing that Eagles defeat by debutant Barea of Madagascar came as a shocker forcing them to adopt a wait and see posture towards round of 16 matches.

    “On paper you could say the Eagles have an edge but with the defeat against Madagascar you never can say when a blunder will occur,” they said, Wednesday.

  • Can Super Eagles replicate the 2004 feat against Cameroon?

    Fifteen Years ago, 7th of February to be precise Super Eagles faced Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the quarterfinals of the Nations cup in Tunisia.

    The then Christian Chukwu tutored side that defeated Cameroon 2-1 to progress into the semifinal where they lost 5-3 to Tunisia but went ahead to win the third place match 2-1 against Mali.

    The other quarterfinal matches lined up on that edition were Tunisia versus Senegal which Tunisia won 1-0, Morocco versus Algeria which Morocco won 3-1 after Extra time to progress and Mali versus Guinea which Mali won 2-1 to progress.

    Still talking about that occasion Eagles paraded the likes of Jay Jay Okocha,Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Agali, Peter Odemwingie, John Utaka just to mention a few. A decade and half later can Eagles under German coach Gernot Rohr replicate that result, improve on it or fall below it?

    That is the question that will be answered on Saturday at the Alexandria Stadium. The Eagles matches in the in just ended group stage has been neither here nor there scoring single goals in the ties against Burundi and Guinea and unbelievably losing 2-0 to debutants Madagascar who eventually topped the group.

    Ordinarily a match against perennial rivals Cameroon and Ghana is always a cracker, but the unpredictability of the Eagles sometimes and even Cameroon who also appear to have recorded reduction in momentum has made some shy away from predicting how tough or ordinary the clash will be.

    Tradition demands that there should be a lot of fireworks when this two teams meet.

    Coach Gernot Rohr has consistently said his boys are not the favorites for the AFcon title this year, naming hosts Egypt Senegal and Tunisia instead as favorites.  Going by his submission neither the lions are defending champions nor

    Eagles who last won the Nations cup in 2013 under late Stephen keshi are favorites for the title.

    But for this weekend’s clash, victory for Eagles must and should be assured. Losing to debutants Madagascar was not only shocking to some Nigerians but embarrassing to others.

    Replicating the result of in Tunisia will be one way of re-assuring that even if they are not favorites they are ready to put in everything into the campaign.

    Chukwu’s squad in 2004 in Tunisia

    Goalkeeper

    22       Austin Ejide

    1          Vincent Enyeama

    12       Greg Etafia

    Defender

    15       George Abbey

    3          Celestine Babayaro

    6          Joseph Enakarhire

    5          Isaac Okoronkwo

    18       Romanus Orjinta

    16       Ifeanyi Udeze

    2          Joseph Yobo

    Midfielder

    19       Ikpe Ekong

    21       Emmanuel Ekwueme

    13       Pius Ikedia

    11       Garba Lawal

    10       Jay Jay Okocha

    14       Seyi Olofinjana

    Forward

    9          Victor Agali

    17       Julius Aghahowa

    8          Yakubu Ayegbeni

    4          Nwankwo Kanu

    20       Peter Odemwingie

    7          John Utaka

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • AFCON 2019: Ghana hold Cameroon, risks early AFCON exit

    Defending champions Cameroon played out to a barren draw with Ghana in a hotly contested West African clash of the titans in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group F clash in Ismailia on Saturday.

    Substitute Kwabena Owusu should have won all three for the Black Stars barely a minute after coming on for Andre Ayew but his cracking shot from the edge of the box came off the crossbar. Andrew Yiadom had a chance five yards from goal a minute later, but saw it saved by Andre Onana.

    On the balance of chances, Cameroon should have gone to the break at least one up. A massive save by Richard Ofori four minutes from time and a timely tackle from Jonathan Mensah earlier on ensured the scores were 0-0 after the opening 45 minutes.

    Ofori made a brilliant full stretched-save to punch out a shot from Christian Bassogog from inside the box. Ghana were caught in possession with Baba Rahman losing the ball on the left. Karl Toko Ekambi picked up and cut back a cross for Bassogog which was well saved.

    Ghana had dodged another bullet on the half hour mark when Mensah, coming in for the suspended John Boye, made a timely tackle to poke the ball off Ekambi’s feet after he was sent through with a delightful backheel flick by Zambo Anguissa.

    Read Also: UPDATED: AFCON 2019: Algeria beat Senegal to qualify for Round of 16

    Ghana were forced to an early sub after 14 minutes when Christian Atsu limped off injured with a hamstring problem after taking an aim at goal off a counter with a low shot from the edge of the area. He was replaced by Samuel Owusu.

    Atsu had Ghana’s second chance just after Nuhu Kassim’s shot from a Thomas Partey cut back went over in the eighth minute. In the 28th minute, Mubarak Wakaso swung in a brilliant cross from the left, but Jordan Ayew could not get a vital touch from the edge of the six yard box as he came flying in.

    With the result, Cameroon have moved to four points while Ghana are on two points after back to back draws. The Ghanaians have to beat Guinea Bissau on Tuesday to be certain of a place at the next round.

     

    Cafonline

  • AFRIMA hosts stakeholders’ conference in Cameroon

    In its continual drive to build capacity for knowledge sharing among African music professionals and culture enthusiasts, the 6th All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, hosted music and culture industry stakeholders at a Stakeholders’ Conference on Friday, June 28, at the Las Vegas VIP, Sable, Bonamoissadi, Douala, Cameroon.

    The AFRIMA-Cameroon conference revealed details of the 6th AFRIMA entry submission process and other programmes for the annual continental awards.

    According to the prganisers, entry submissions for the 6th AFRIMA which is open for entries to Artistes, Songwriters, Video Directors, Producers, Dancers/Choreographers, DJs and un-recorded artistes of African origin living on the continent and Diaspora, closes on Friday August 2, 2019,

    “AFRIMA is sharing the spirit of Pan-Africanism for greater collaborations in culture, music and entertainment for sustainable development in line with the African Union (AU) cultural agenda for peace building, integration, democracy, economic advancement and youth social development,” said AFRIMA Regional Director, Central Africa, Mr. Ernest Ewane.

    In partnership with the African Union (AU), the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, is a music and cultural initiative developed to celebrate, reward and showcase the rich musical heritage of Africa, stimulate conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the globe about the great potentials and values of the African culture and artistic legacy for the purpose of creating jobs, reducing poverty, calling attention of world leaders to Africa and promoting the positive image of Africa to the world.

  • FIFA opens disciplinary case against Cameroon

    FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Cameroon after their 3-0 loss to England in the round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup on Sunday, during which members of the team became upset following two VAR decisions.

    Several Cameroon players remonstrated with the referee and for a long time refused to restart the match after England’s second goal was ruled offside and then allowed after a VAR review.

    Read Also: ‘VAR to be used from quarter-finals at AFCON’

    Cameroon then thought they had pulled a goal back early in the second half but VAR again ruled against them for a marginal offside — sparking more chaotic scenes.

    Cameroon defender Augustine Ejangue also spat on the arm of England forward Toni Duggan.

    The FIFA proceedings against the Cameroonian Football Association cover “alleged breaches related to article 52 (team misconduct) and article 57 (offensive behaviour and fair play) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” world soccer’s governing body said in a statement on Wednesday.(ESPN)

  • VAR Palaver: Chioma Ubogagu cautions players on African image

     

    African players competing at all levels of football must resist the temptation to react in a manner that can paint the continent in bad light.

    That was the submission of Nigeria born British footballer Chioma Ubogagu while reacting to VAR triggered brouhaha during the England versus Cameroon FIFA women’s world cup round of 16 clash last Sunday.

    Ubogagu who plies her trade with Orlando Pride in the United States said why it is understandable to sometimes disagree with the rules, it is important to resist the temptation to over react and throw caution to the winds.

    Ubogagu who was called up to the England national team for a set of friendlies ahead of the FIFA Women’s World cup was however left out of the final 23-man team.to France 2019.

    The 26 year old bared her mind on the controversial match via the social media, tweeting “‘As someone with English, American, and Nigerian ties, I found it embarrassing watching a nation represent Africa like that.

    ‘I also find it worse that people are defending it, in my opinion. Because again, in my opinion, that to me means subconsciously you have and hold African nations at a lower standard.

    ‘I understand the frustrations of football, I understand being in the moment, and I understand strongly disagreeing with VAR decisions, but behaviour in these times is still massively important,”

    The striker who played for Arsenal and Houston Dash before joining Orlando Pride, made a combined 80 appearances for the clubs scoring 18 goals.

    Ubogagu born to Nigerian parents mother Tina a nurse and father Aloy a social worker was eligible to represent Nigeria, England and the United States, but chose to represent United States at the youth level, playing for their under-18, under-20 and under-23 teams.

    She settled on representing England at the senior level, accepting a call up from the side in October 2018 and making her England and senior international debut on 8 November 2018 against Austria which England won by 3-0.

    This year’s edition of the FIFA Women’s World cup has recorded a number of controversies with the VAR mostly at the centre of the matter. The Cameroon/England controversy came just a few hours after round of 16 clash between hosts France and Nigeria also ended with France progressing follow VAR triggered penalty replay.

  • Cameroon lift U-17 AFCON

    Cameroon on Sunday won the U-17 African male football competition after defeating their Guinean counterparts 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out.

    In the final match played at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania both sides drew goalless after 90 minutes of intense action.

    Both sides failed to score any goal for the game to go on to penalty kicks directly.

    They scored their first five kicks each for an advance into the sudden death shots.

    It continued as a ding-dong affair, with both sides scoring, until Guinea’s Mohamed Youssouf Sacko  missed the fourth kick.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the result means Cameroon takes the AFCON U17 Cup, while Guinea finished second.

    Third place has gone to Angola who on Saturday beat Nigeria 2-1 at the same venue in the third-place match.

    All four teams have advanced to the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup billed for later in the year in Brazil.(NAN)