The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mali

  • Home-based Eagles play Mali, Cote D’ivoire

    Home-based Eagles play Mali, Cote D’ivoire

    In kick –starting its pledge to ensure that the Senior National Team, Super Eagles is engaged for all the FIFA –free days available next year, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has secured two international friendly matches for the team prior to the 30th Africa Cup of Nations finals.

    NFF General Secretary,  Musa Amadu, confirmed on Wednesday that the Eagles will confront two teams they battered on the way to a third African title in South Africa early last year, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in January 2015.

    The Super Eagles will confront 1992 African champions Cote d’Ivoire, whom they edged 2-1 in the quarter-finals in South Africa, on January 9, and take on fellow Eagles of Mali, who were overhauled 4-1 by the Nigerians in the semi finals in South Africa, four days later.

    “We are working round the clock to make sure that the Super Eagles will have opponents for all the FIFA windows available in 2015, and we are happy that the two games with the Ivorians and the Malians are sealed.

    “The Elephants and the Les Aiglons are on their way to the 30th AFCON in Equatorial Guinea, so they are sure to give our team good games.”

  • Eaglets complete mauling of Mali

    Eaglets complete mauling of Mali

    The Golden Eaglets on Wednesday yet again confirmed their supremacy over their Malian counterparts with another 2-0 win at the WAFU B Tournament in Togo.

    Two goals in the second half by Orji Okonkwo and Kehinde Ayinde cemented the Golden Eaglets top-place finish in Group B with the maximum six points following an identical 2-0 win against their West African foes earlier on Monday.

    Coach Emmanuel Amuneke kept faith with the same starting line-up he used on Monday and the only notable change for Mali was goalkeeper Samuel Diarra who replaced Traore Alou.

    But it was the Malians that started on the offensive after Togolese referee Kossi Azaleko signalled Nigeria to take the mandatory kick-off. As early as the third minute of the match, the Malians nearly went in front but were denied by brilliant Amos Benjamin in goal for the Golden Eaglets.

    The Nigerian youngsters responded well and both Kehinde Ayinde and Kingsley Michael buried the ball behind goalkeeper Suleiman in the 15th and 26thth minute respectively but referee Azaleko ruled both goals off-side. He also cancelled out a goal by the Malians in the 18th due to off side.

    Azaleko was jeered by the fans towards the end of the first half for disallowing what looked like a legitimate goal for the Golden Eaglets orchestrated from a sweet passing movement by the quartet of Orji Okonkwo; Ayinde; Dauda Ganiyu and Jack Ipalibo.

    But the stadium finally came alive in the second half with the Eaglets on the offensive and they were soon rewarded when Ayinde sent a perfect cross for Okonkwo to nod home the first goal in the 48th minute. The goal brought confidence into the Eaglets and they held on to the lead despite occasional threats by the Malians. From the 70th minutes, the Nigerians virtually dominated the game but the second goal of the match did not come until the 84th minute. Man of the match, Eaglets’ skipper, Kelechi Nwakali sent a long range pass to Abdulganiyu who side-stepped two opposing defenders before releasing the ball for Ayinde to put behind goalkeeper Diarra for the second goal of the match. The Golden Eaglets would now face the runners up of Group A in one of the semi-finals on Thursday.

    Golden Eaglets vs. Mali

    A. Benjamin (F. Idowu 91st) – A. Joshua. Gbadamosi; N. Hamza; A.

    Bamidele;- J. Ipalibo(S. Abdullahi 62nd );K.Michael; Nwakali; D.

    Abdulganiyu- O. Okonkwo; K. Ayinde

  • Jonathan pushes for holistic approach to problems in Mali

    •Seeks free, fair election in Guinea Bissau

    President Goodluck Jonathan wants a holistic approach to the problems in Mali with a view to achieving sustainable peace and stability.

    He is also advocating free and fair elections in Guinea Bissau and the full support of all members of ECOWAS and other international partners for that country.

    He spoke at the closed door session of the 44th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government on Friday night in Cote d’Ivoire.

    Jonathan, who was a mediator in the Malian crisis along with his Burkina Faso counterpart, Blaise Compaore, said that having achieved some level of peace, Mali now requires tolerance, peaceful co- existence, unity and deliberate efforts to preserve its territorial integrity.

    He said: “It is clear that any strategy for settling the Malian issue has to be based on a holistic approach. We have a responsibility to continue to encourage the government and other parties to the Malian question to continue to exert their best efforts in the ongoing search for a definitive solution to the problems in Mali.”

    “In addressing the remaining issues in Mali, care must be taken to preserve the territorial integrity and unity of the country, even while room is created for the various groups to co exist peacefully”.

    On the situation in Guinea Bissau, he urged his colleagues and other international partners to give full support to the country to ensure the success of its forthcoming elections.

    All political groups and other stakeholders in the country, he said should ensure the polls are free and fair and to also accept the results in good faith.

    He encouraged the winners to form a government of national unity and the Armed Forces to stay away from governance and respect the new civilian order.

    Also at the conference were President Yahya Jammeh of Gambia, Blaize Compaore of Burkina Faso, John Dramani Mahnma of Ghana, Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf of Liberia, Boni Yayi of Benin Republic,   Ibrahim Boukar Keita of Mali, Mahmadou Issoufou of Niger Republic and many others.

    The Ghanaian leader was also elected new chairman of ECOWAS during the 2- day conference.

    He took over from the host country’s leader, Alassane Outtara.

  • LOSS TO MALI: Erico, Adepoju, Dosu disappointed

    LOSS TO MALI: Erico, Adepoju, Dosu disappointed

    Some notable football stakeholders on Sunday expressed disappointment with the performance of the home-based Super Eagles after the 2-1 loss to Mali on Saturday.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Eagles were defeated 2-1 by the Mali in the second Group `A’ match at the ongoing Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in Cape Town, South Africa.
    A former Super Eagles player, Mutiu Adepoju told NAN that the defeat was unfortunate but added that hope was not lost.
    “It was really unfortunate that the home-based Eagles lost their first match. However, they must go back and intensify their efforts to do better in order to win the next two matches. They need to work on their defense. It was very obvious that there were lapses here and there. Confidence also matters and I believe they should work harder,’’ he said.
    A former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Joseph Dosu also said that the loss was unexpected but there was still a chance for a comeback in the next two group stage matches.
    “We expected them to win the first game but they failed to do that, and this scenario reminds me of when Nigeria lost to Algeria in 1990, they still progressed to the finals and lost again by 1-0 to the same team. I think the coach should go back to the drawing board and beef up areas that are lacking, and I am sure there is still room for more improvement,’’ Dosu said.

  • CHAN 2014: Mali arrive Cape Town for Eagles

    CHAN 2014: Mali arrive Cape Town for Eagles

    • Lodged at Southern Sun Hotel

    Ahead of the kick-off of the 3rd Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), Nigeria’s January 11th opening Group A foe, Mali has arrived Cape Town, South Africa.

    The delegation arrived the Oliver Thambo Johannesburg International Airport Saturday after a stopover in Dakar.

    After 25minutes of immigration checks, the team later checked in for a 1 hour 35 minutes flight to Cape Town.

    On arrival at Cape Town amid cheers from their local supporters, a few South African fans and some CHAN LOC members, the coach Djibril Drame side was then transported to their Southern Sun Hotel, which is about 15 minutes drive from the Green Point Stadium.

    Meanwhile, Drame had last Thursday released his 23-man list that would tackle Nigeria, South Africa and Mozambique.

    The big surprise on the list was the absence of Moussa Kone Koffi who was top scorer in the Malian elite league.

    LIST OF 23 PLAYERS

    Goalkeepers: Soumaïla Diakité (Mali Stadium), Cheick Oumar Bathily (Djoliba) Berthé Germain (Eleven Creators) Defenders:. Ousmane Keita (Djoliba), Souleymane Konaté (Mali Stadium) Bourama Coulibaly (Mali Stadium) Issaka Samaké ( Malian stage), Mahamadou Traoré (Djoliba), Idrissa Sangare (COB), Oumar Kone (Mali Stadium). Backgrounds: Cheick Mohamed Cherif Doumbia (Mali Stadium) Ibourahima Sidibé (Réal), Yaya Samaké (Nianan) Lassine Diarra (Djoliba), Idrissa Traoré NL (Djoliba), Hamidou Traoré (COB), Adama Traoré (COB), Abdoulaye Sissoko Stadium (Mali), Morimakan Koïta (Mali Stadium). Forwards: Lassana Diarra (AS Bakaridjan), Hamidou Sinayoko (Djoliba), Lamine Diawara (Mali Stadium) and Mamadou Sidibé (SA Police).

  • CAR crisis to dominate key France-Africa summit

    •As France sends more troops

    Some 40 African leaders gather in Paris this week for a French-led summit on improving security in the impoverished and unstable continent following France’s military mission in Mali and a new one in the Central African Republic.

    The biggest international summit by France’s Socialist President Francois Hollande since he took power is aimed at helping Africa tackle its security problems on its own with less and less Western backing from former colonial masters.

    It comes against the backdrop of French plans to send troops to the Central African Republic and during a time when Paris, which has thousands of troops garrisoned in Africa, is being dragged into action while it is trying to reshape its relations with the continent.

    The two-day summit starting Friday will be dominated by the latest unrest in the Central African Republic (CAR), where clashes between armed Muslim and Christian groups have raised fears of sectarian massacres.

    France has called a mini-summit on the CAR crisis on Saturday after the Africa conference and UN chief Ban Ki-moon and officials from the European Union are due to attend.

    The mini-summit will take place after the UN Security Council votes on France’s plan to deploy about 1,000 soldiers to take on an active fighting role alongside a flagging African-led “stabilisation mission” in CAR.

    The African force for CAR aims to have 2,500 troops but it has been hampered by a lack of funds, arms and training.

    Meanwhile some 200 French troops have arrived, with another 500 expected imminently.

    Some former rebel forces have reportedly been leaving the capital, Bangui, as the French troops arrived in the city.

     

    More than 10% of the 4.6 million population have fled their homes since Michel Djotodia seized power in March.

    He is the country’s first leader from the minority Muslim community. Muslim-Christian sectarian attacks have led to warnings of a genocide.

    Police vehicle in Bangui Bangui is relatively peaceful compared to the rest of the country

    CAR is rich in minerals but has suffered numerous coups, mutinies and conflicts since independence from France in 1960, leaving most of its people in poverty.

  • The country Mali

    The country Mali

    Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa. Mali is bordered by Algeria to the north, Niger to the east, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire to the south, Guinea to the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania to the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 square kilometres (480,000 sq mi) with a population of 14.5 million. Its capital is Bamako.

    Mali consists of eight regions and its borders on the north reach deep into the middle of the Sahara, while the country’s southern part, where the majority of inhabitants live, features the Niger and Sénégal rivers. The country’s economic structure centers on agriculture and fishing. Some of Mali’s prominent natural resources include gold, being the third largest producer of gold in the African continent and salt. About half the population lives below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day. Present-day Mali was once part of three West African empires that controlled trans-Saharan trade: the Ghana Empire, the Mali Empire (for which Mali is named), and the Songhai Empire. During its golden age, there was a flourishing of mathematics, astronomy, literature, and art. At its peak in 1300, Mali covered an area about twice the size of modern-day France, and stretched to the west coast of Africa. In the late 19th century, during the Scramble for Africa, France seized control of Mali, making it a part of French Sudan. French Sudan (then known as the Sudanese Republic) joined with Senegal in 1959, achieving independence in 1960 as the Mali Federation. Shortly thereafter, following Senegal’s withdrawal from the federation, the Sudanese Republic declared itself the independent Republic of Mali. After a long period of one-party rule, a 1991 coup led to the writing of a new constitution and the establishment of Mali as a democratic, multi-party state.In January 2012, an armed conflict broke out in northern Mali, which Tuareg rebels took control by April and declared the secession of a new state, Azawad. The conflict was complicated by a military coup that took place in March and later fighting between Tuareg and Islamist rebels. In response to Islamist territorial gains, the French military launched Opération Serval in January 2013. A month later, Malian and French forces recaptured most of the north. Presidential elections have been scheduled for 7 July and legislative elections for 21 July.

  • 2014 CHAN: Nigeria draws Mali

    2014 CHAN: Nigeria draws Mali

    Nigeria has been drawn alongside Mali, South Africa and Mozambique in the Orange African Nations Championship billed for South Africa in January 2014.
    The draw held in Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday also pitched Zimbabwe, Uganda, Burkina Faso and Morocco together in group B.
    South Africa and Mozambique will play the first match of the three-week soccer fiesta on January 11 in Cape Town.
    The pairings:
    Group A
    South Africa
    Mali
    Nigeria
    Mozambique
    Group B
    Zimbabwe
    Uganda,
    Bukina faso
    Morocco
    Group C
    Ghana
    Congo Brazaville,
    Ethiopia
    Libya
    Group D
    DR Congo
    Mauritania
    Burundi
    Gabon
    CHAN will take place between 11 January  and 1 February next year.

  • Mali army, rebels clash

    Three Malian soldiers were wounded in clashes with separatist Tuareg rebels, the army said, the first clashes since the two sides signed a ceasefire deal in June.
    The fighting took place near the western town of Lere and comes a week after President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was sworn in, highlighting simmering tensions as he seeks to end cycles of uprisings by northern rebels.
    Last year’s rebellion triggered a coup and the resulting vacuum was then hijacked by better-armed al Qaeda-linked Islamists, who seized northern Mali.
    France sent thousands of soldiers to its former colony in January to halt the Islamists’ march southward.
    A UN peacekeeping mission is now rolling out to ensure stability as French troops gradually withdraw.
    “An army patrol came across some gunmen in four-wheel drives. They refused to follow the army’s orders and opened fire on the troops,’’ said army spokesman Capt. Modibo Naman Traore.
    Traore said three soldiers were wounded.
    Attaye Ag Mohamed, one of the founders of the Tuareg-led MNLA rebellion, accused the army of starting the fighting by surrounding their position. He did not give any toll.
    According to the ceasefire deal signed to allow elections to take place in July and August, Keita has 60 days from the naming of his government last Sunday to start talks over a final deal with the rebels.

    Keita has promised national reconciliation but will be under pressure from southern Malians not to make major concessions to the Tuareg, whom many blame for sparking their country’s collapse last year

  • Nigeria begins troops’ pullout from Mali

    Nigeria will begin withdrawing some of its 1,200 troops in Mali on Wednesday and redeploy them in security operations at home, the military has said.

    Nigeria has been planning the withdrawal mainly due to the need for more soldiers to fight its own homegrown Islamist insurgency.

    “The troops are mainly those not accommodated in the structures of the newly formed United Nations … mission in Mail,” Brigadier-General Chris Olukolade said in a statement. “They are to join the ongoing internal security operations.”

    Reuters reports that he did not specify how many troops would be withdrawn, saying only that an “input of sizable men and materials (will) … continue in the UN Mission,” including a Nigeria-run military hospital.

    Voters in Mali’s presidential election turned out in large numbers peacefully on Sunday, eager for a fresh start after a March 2012 coup allowed separatist and al Qaeda-linked rebels to seize the desert north last year.

    Vote counting has been disputed and the result is likely to cause tensions.