The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nations Cup

  • Madagascar players bag national award pocket N91million

     

    Members of Barea of Madagascar who featured at the Nations Cup in Egypt will henceforth have KOM written after their names each time they are addressed. The honour (Knight of Malagasy) was awarded to the players in appreciation of their performance in Egypt where they rose above minnows and debutant tag to make it all the way to the quarterfinal before bowing out.

    The players and technical crew were recognised as an elaborate ceremony held at the State palace of Lavoloha.

    One of the victories that tickled the fancy of many back home in Antananarivo was the now famous 2-0 defeat of Super Eagles in the last group match.

    The Barea whose smooth sail was eventually halted no thanks to 3-0 demolition by Tunisia in the quarterfinals were given a hero’s welcome with videos showing people lining the streets to receive them.

    It was however not only about national award as the entire team was also given cash award of $250,000 (about N91million or 904,375,000.00 Malagasy ariary).

    While President Andry Rajoelina who was personally in Egypt to support the team expressed optimism that they will come back stronger, coach of the side Nicolas Dupuis expressed fears that the team may end up as a one tournament wonder unless the game is given the needed push in the country.

    “There is a lot of work to do with Madagascar. We need to build on the work that has been done to show that hard work pays off, or this could just become a one-off,” said the Frenchman, adding “It’s going to be difficult to do better next time.”

  • Aledged VAR/Ref Injustice: Tunisia to boycott AFCON 2021 Draw

     

    Still angered by what it called VAR/Referee induced injustice, Nigeria’s third place opponents Tunisia have announced they will boycott draw for the 2021 AfCON billed for Aida Ballroom Cairo Marriott Hotel on Thursday.

    This decision according to Tunisian authorities is in protest against the penalty not awarded to the national team during the end of extra time in the semi-final against Senegal.

    Some Tunisians are however not in support of the boycott preferring instead that they put up appearance and properly register their disdain for the decision. Meanwhile Egyptian referee Jihad Jericha has been appointed to take charge in the third place match billed Wednesday at the Al Salam Stadium.

    Jericha according to CAF will be assisted by compatriots Mahmoud Ahmed Kamel and Chadian Issa Yaya and also by Joshua Bondo from Botswana.

    Both Nigeria and Tunisia are singing lamentation songs after failing in their bid to qualify for Friday’s final with Nigeria losing to Algeria while Tunisia lost to Senegal in the semifinals.

    After failing to get a place in the final, both teams are desperate to at least take something home from Cairo, an indication that the third place match which has been described as ‘small final’ will be full of fireworks.

    Nigeria last won the third place in 2010 in Angola defeating Algeria by a lone goal, while Tunisia won the third place in 1962 beating Ugandan 3-0.

  • Disappointed Tunisia declare ‘small final’ a must win against Nigeria

    Wednesday’s third place match between Tunisia and Nigeria has been described in the Tunisian media as ‘small final’ which the Carthage Eagles need to win as consolation after missing a place in the final.

    Tunisia who lost by a lone goal (Own goal) against Taranga Lions of Senegal believe strongly they were denied opportunity to win the match by Centre referee Tessema Weyesa Bamlak, insisting they had a penalty that was denied.

    “Injustice in the 113th minute: A penalty awarded to Tunisia is quickly withdrawn by the referee despite the clarity of the action: the hand was visible!” were the post-match submissions by some analysts in Tunis.

    Read Also: Tunisia goalkeeper apologises for losing sporting spirit

    The 2004 Nations cup winners who last won the third place match of the Nations cup 57 years ago in Ethiopia, will be playing their fourth third place match. After winning the third place of the 1962 edition, the Carthage Eagles subsequently played the third place match in 1978 and 2000 respectively failing to clinch the third place on both occasions.

    After putting the disappointment behind them however both Tunisia and Nigeria are ready for the battle of Eagles. The media in Tunis described it as “A match that would be a consolation for the Carthage Eagles who were denied qualification for the final, facing the Lions of Teranga, following an arbitral injustice”

    Nigeria, eliminated by the Fennecs in the semifinals on the score of (1-2), will play this small final without the services of his left side, Jamilu Collins, who received his second suspension card just minutes from the final whistle.

    Unlike the Carthage Eagles who have won the third place match just once, Super Eagles have won the third place a record seven times the last being the 2010 edition in Angola where Nigeria incidentally beat Algeria 1-0 to win the third place.

  • Algeria lament injury worry dub Eagles hard nut to crack

     

    Super Eagles have been dubbed very hard nut to crack and perhaps the only barrier standing between the Greens and a second AFCON title.

    Virtually all analysis and permutations made in the Algerian media ahead of Sunday semifinal clash in Cairo point to the need for the Algiers 90 Champions to put all the arsenals in the armory into the Nigerian match to stand a chance of lifting the continental fiesta a second time.

    There is however worry in camp over the absence of French ligue 1 side Nice winger Youcef Atal who picked injury in the quarterfinal clash against Cote d Ivoire as well as the fitness level of Galatasaray S.K. midfielder Sofiane Feghouli.

    Both players are perceived to be key materials to achieving coach Belmadi’s dream of leading Algeria to victory.

    Recall that Feghouli opened the scoring for Algeria against Cote d Ivoire in the 20th minute before Kodjia equalized for Ivorians in the 62nd minute. Ahead of the tie against Eagles the Foxes who made 507 passes and fired 21 shots at the Ivorian vital area were told to consolidate against Eagles on Sunday.

    Algeria are so far unbeaten in this year’s edition of the Nations Cup and are dreaming of maintaining the record all the way. Ahead of Sunday’s final chartered flights have reportedly been made available to enable fans storm the Cairo to Support the Fennecs as they file out against an equally determined Eagles that sent defending Champions Cameroon packing en-route the Semifinals.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Algeria versus Nigeria: Flash back March 1990 on their mind!

    History has a way of repeating itself.  It is considered a good omen when the repeat is favorable but a bad omen when it is not.

    The fennecs or Desert Foxes of Algeria battled their way into the semifinal of the ongoing Nations Cup in Egypt on Thursday.

    The Coach Djamel Belmadi tutored side subdued hard fighting Elephants of Cote d Ivoire to zoom into the semis.

    Interestingly they had come close to sealing victory within regulation time but a last minute penalty miss forced the match into extra time and eventually into penalty shoot-out which they won 4-3.

    The victory has pitched the Foxes against Super Eagles who hit the semis edging out Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a nail biting encounter.

    Algeria and Nigeria are no strange bed fellows at the Nations cup and going through past encounters one meeting the Algerians will want to see repeat itself and one which Nigerians will never dream to see come to pass dates back to the double header of 1990.

    It was the year that Algeria hosted and lifted the Nations cup and remains till date the last time they have won the trophy.

    Read Also: Algeria vs. Nigeria: can Super Eagles soar above high-flying Algeria?

    It will be safe to say that the Algerians were on fire that year. They met Nigeria twice in the course of that edition, first in the group stage where the Eagles were handed a demoralising 5-1 defeat under the then Coach Sebastien Brodrick.

    It looked more like a nightmare.  Algeria’s former international Rabah Madjer grabbed a brace, Djamel Menad also grabbed a brace and Djamel Armani completed the goal harvest with Nigeria only able to get a consolation goal in the 82nd minute thanks to Emmanuel Okocha elder brother of Austin Okocha who incidentally came into the match as a substitute for Thompson Oliha.

    Despite that heavy defeat however the Eagles survived and qualified for the knock out stage, went all the way to the final where they again came face to face with the Foxes losing by a lone goal in front of 105,032 spectators at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers.

    That was 29 years ago and indeed a lot of water has passed under the bridge. Come Sunday the Foxes and the Eagles will clash again this time in Cairo not at the final of the Nations cup but at the semifinals.

    The players are different, the coaches different and the scenario and venue different. Coach Djamel Belmadi a former Foxes midfielder did tell Cote d Ivoire before their quarterfinal clash not to dwell on their past defeat of Algeria as that will not influence the present. 

    Perhaps it may be safe to say no need to dwell on the past but can the mind stop itself from flash backs?

    Sunday’s clash at the Cairo international stadium will be and should be memorable. While the foxes will be hoping to draw inspiration from the Algiers 90 episode, the Eagles who have beaten Algeria on several occasions both at the Nations cup and World cup ties since then will need to again tell anyone that cares to listen that that episode belongs to where it is, in the history books and quiet incapable of influencing the present.

    See you on Sunday in Cairo!

     

  • Belmadi to Elephants: Dwell on the past and get a shocker!

     

    Elephants of Cote d Ivoire have been told to leave their defeat of Desert  Foxes in the past where it belongs and wake up to realities ahead of the quarterfinal rematch on Thursday at the New Suez Stadium.

    Algeria Coach Djamel Belmadi who sent the warning insisted that the defeat at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations will have no effect on his present team and their determination to fight to the finish in Egypt.

    The teams met in the quarterfinals of the 2015 edition, where the West African heavyweights won 3-1 (thanks to goals from Wilfried Bony [two] and Gervinho) en route to claiming the AFCON title.

    Four years agao according to the very enthusiastic coach is a long time and a lot of water would have passed under the bridge.

    “What is certain is that we want to progress. The past is the past and we are determined to go past this stage of the competition,” he said admitting however that the Elephants will not be a walk in the park.

    “Ivory Coast is well known on the African continent for being a difficult, solid team with a lot of experience, including players who play in big leagues but for me it is not just about statistics but on form of the moment, “he added

    Belmadi who took over the team last year played for the Algeria National team from 2000 to 2004 making 20 appearances and scoring five goals. The former PSG ace has previously coached Qatar team A and B between 2013 and 2015.

     

     

     

  • Just In: Tanzania sack Emmanuel Amuneke

    Tanzania have parted ways with their once cherished coach and former Nigeria international Emmanuel Amuneke after what the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) dubbed poor outing at the ongoing Nations Cup in Egypt.

    Amuneke who made history by qualifying the Taifa Stars of Tanzania for the Nations cup for the first time in 39 years failed to win a match in the group stage where the team was pitched against Algeria, Senegal and Kenya.

    The team lost 3-0 to Algeria, 3-2 to Kenya and 2-0 to Senegal to exit the competition conceding 8 goals and scoring just two against Kenya.

    TFF in a release on Monday said “The Tanzania Football Association and the national team coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, have reached a joint agreement to terminate the contract,” the TFF wrote on their website.

    The Federation said a temporary coach would be appointed after their emergency meeting on Thursday, and he would lead them for the upcoming qualifiers for the African Nations Championship (CHAN). Tanzania begin the regional CHAN qualifiers against neighbor’s Kenya later this month.

    Amuneke who coached Sudanese club Al Khartoum SC before taking over the Tanzanian national team won the Fifa U-17 World Cup trophy for a record fourth time in the United Arab Emirates in 2013 for Nigeria.

    The former Barcelona ace within the short period he was with Taifa Stars was hailed by many fans who noted that he had injected life into the Tanzanian national team despite the poor run in Egypt.

  • Battle against DR Congo: Madagascar President, 480 fans storm Egypt

     

    Still basking in the euphoria of hitting the round of 16 after a surprise 2-0 defeat of Super Eagles, an elated Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina has given a boost to his countrymen and women’s support for the national team by chartering a plane for the fans.

    The president approved the hiring of 480 sitter plane to convey fans to Egypt for massive support for the team as they attempt to go beyond the round of 16 at the expense of DR Congo on Sunday.

    Should the Barea succeed in edging out DR Congo for a place in the last eight they would have confirmed themselves as giant killers after overcoming Nigeria in the group stage.

    The listening President as some Madagascans choose to say about their president was quoted as saying;

    “After hearing the demands of supporters, President Andry Rajoelina and the Madagascan state have decided to mobilise an Airbus 380, with 480 seats, to transport supporters,” Rinah Rakotomanga, communications chief for the presidency, told AFP.

    The flight will leave Antananarivo on Saturday and return immediately after the game.

    Although the gestures has been, it is however not just a matter of hop in and go for the fans as they are expected to pay $600 (about N216, 000) to cover flight, meals and seat at the match venue.

    President Rajoelina had announced that he would attend the match, sparking a campaign to enable other fans to travel.

    “Do not go alone to Egypt President Andry Rajoelina, there are supporters who are ready to fill a plane and the empty stadium,” said former opposition MP Guy Rivo Randrianarisoa on social media.

    Many of the fans who lined up for the tickets said the cost is nothing compared to the honour the national team is bringing to them and the country and described their achievement as debutants of the Nations cup as historic.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • AFCON: Determination makes the difference -Hervé Renard

     

    Obstacles in life cannot stop a determined mind from reaching his target. That was the submission of Morocco Coach Hervé Renard, while making a retrospect of his involvement with football and team management.

    The 50 year old White-shirt- wearing coach revealed in a chat with BBC that initial draw backs never diminished his love for football even if he did not play the game to his full capacity.

    “I did windows, I cleaned carpets and other industrial cleaning jobs and I was not ashamed. I played a game in the top division, I played a game in the French Cup with a professional club and it stopped there but I had great years and dream ahead,” he enthused

    Renard who is fast becoming a Nations cup specialist haven led two countries to clinch the title back to back is itching close to leading Morocco the  title and his third triumph after leading Zambia and Cote d Ivoire to victory in 2012 and 2015 respectively.

    The former defender whose team has been spectacular so far at ongoing Nations cup in Egypt making a clean sweep of the group stage is reportedly being closely watched by some other African countries hoping to porch him should he be ready to move from his present deal which lasts till 2022.

    The former Lille and Sochaux manager led Atlas Lions to their first World Cup outing in Russia last year and may all things being equal be leading them to the next World Cup in Qatar.

    Some soccer fans addicted to betting on virtually everything in football have predicted that the former Angola coach will lead his team to the final in Egypt while at the same time insinuating that a move to Nigeria or South Africa will be his next step should he choose to leave his current contract.

  • Samuel Kalu to wait till Sunday for real Afcon action

     

    Bordeaux winger Samuel Kalu will have to wait till Sunday to test real action in the ongoing Nations cup in Egypt.

    The 21 year old who suffered a near heart attack and has to be placed on observation by medics was declared fit to play and put on the bench against Guinea on Wednesday.

    He eventually got the nod to step in as replacement for Moses Simon in the

    4th minute of extra time but could not into get into real action before  referee Helder Martins de Carvalho ended the match with the Eagles running away with a lone goal win thanks to Keneth Omeruo.

    The former Gent winger will be hoping to get another chance on Sunday not only to enjoy some action but also prove to his fans that he has indeed bounced back into super form after the setback.

    Wednesday’s victory has handed Eagles a ticket to the round of 16 with a match to spare. Most Nigerians who reacted after the match expressed relief that the Eagles breezed into the round of 16 without taking them through the usual permutations.

    Although some were not happy with wasted chances especially in the early minutes of the match, they nonetheless expressed satisfaction that the team was able to earn the needed three points to progress.