Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles down 10-man Nigeria to reach quarterfinals

Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles down 10-man Nigeria to reach quarterfinals

by | 24 Jan, 2022 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Tunisia Carthage Eagles knocked out Nigeria from the round of 16 stages of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cameroon following a shock 1-0 victory thanks to a Youseff Msakni goal at the ROumde Adjia stadium in Garoua on Sunday.

Despite coming into the encounter with several players and their coach not available due to COVID-19, Tunisia emerged winners over the Super Eagles in a shock result.

After a goalless first half skipper, Youssef Msakni gave Tunisia the lead two minutes after recess. Maskni beat one defender and found space to shoot from outside the box. Nigerian goalkeeper Emil Okoye had a touch on the ball, but it rested in the net.

As a result, for the first time, the Super Eagles will not reach the Quarterfinals stage of AFCON since 1982, while Tunisia have advanced to the quarter-finals in four consecutive tournaments.

In the first knockout match, the Stallions of Burkina Faso beat Gabon 7-6 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time to qualify to the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021.

Substitute Ismahila scored the all-important winning penalty to send the Stallions through, following a marathon shoot out.

Kanga, Yannis Yapende and Lloyd Palun missed for Gabon, while Saidou Simpore and Abdoul Tapsoba failed to score for Burkina Faso.

Burkina Faso will play Tunisia in the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021.

CAF – African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone in Douala, Cameroon.

 

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Cambuur winger Issa Kallon reveals ‘bittersweet’ AFCON experience

Cambuur winger Issa Kallon reveals ‘bittersweet’ AFCON experience

by | 23 Jan, 2022 | External Links, Football Africa, Players Abroad News

Winger Issa Kallon made his Sierra Leone debut in one of the biggest stages in Cameroon as Sierra Leone fought for a 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast and was instrumental from the word go on his first international match for the Leone Stars.

The new Leone Stars weapon had a frustrating time watching from the bench in the goalless draw against Algeria at the Japoma Stadium in Douala on January 11. The Leone Stars first game back at the AFCON since 1996.

Matchday two, he was subbed on in the 73rd minute to replace Maohmed Buya Turay against the Ivory Coast. His smartness, techniques and agility went viral after the 2-2. 

In the Leone Stars final Group E match, he was again a substitute in the 1- 0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea. He was an immediate impact after he replaced Kevin Wright in the 75th-minute. His creative movement helped Sierra Leone earn a spot-kick, but unfortunately, the spot-kick was missed by veteran striker Kei Kamara in the 85th-minute. 

A Sierra Leone goal could have put them through to the knockout stage of this year’s continental competition for the first time in their history. 

The 26-year-old striker who played his football with Cambuur in the Dutch tier said he was pleased with his effort but wished for more playing time on the pitch. 

“I am pleased to be part of a great squad, but playing time was not a lot,” Issa Kallon told FSL News in Douala.

“I didn’t expect going to AFCON and only played 35-minute. I am doing well in the Dutch Top-tier in Holland, and for me to sit on the bench every day – was very difficult.”

“I know I can help the team get a better result like in the last game when I came on won a penalty. I just had the feeling the coach was not really aware of my qualities to give such small game time. But, I am happy that in those small minutes, I was able to show myself to my team, the coach and my country Sierra Leone of what I am capable of.”

The result also means the Comoros Islands are through as one of the best third-placed finishers after their surprise 3-2 win over Ghana last Tuesday.

“The penalty miss is difficult to take it could have changed everything for us,” Sierra Leone coach John Keister said.

Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone contingent safely arrived in Freetown late on Saturday after what many described as an impressive outing in Cameroon despite their early exit.

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 in Douala, Cameroon Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.

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The stage is set for Afcon last 16 knockout

The stage is set for Afcon last 16 knockout

by | 23 Jan, 2022 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Following the conclusion of the Group Stage of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021, the pairings of the Round of 16 matches are now known.

Here is all you need to know about the times, dates and venues of the Round of 16 games (local time):

Sunday 23 January 2022

17:00 – Burkina Faso v Gabon (Limbe Stadium, Limbe)

20:00 – Nigeria v Tunisia (Roumde Adjia Stadium, Garoua)

Monday 24 January 2022

17:00 – Guinea v Gambia (Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam)

20:00 – Cameroon v Comoros (Olembe Stadium, Yaounde)

Tuesday 25 January 2022

17:00 – Senegal v Cape Verde (Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam)

20:00 – Morocco v Malawi (Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaounde)

Wednesday 26 January 2022

17:00 – Cote d’Ivoire v Egypt (Japoma Stadium, Douala)

20:00 – Mali v Equatorial Guinea (Limbe Stadium, Limbe)

CAF – African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone in Douala, Cameroon.

AFCON preliminary draw, road to Ivory Coast 2023 released

AFCON preliminary draw, road to Ivory Coast 2023 released

by | 22 Jan, 2022 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

The TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Preliminary Round Draw was conducted on Friday, 21 January 2022, in Douala.

The draw marks the kickoff towards the 34th edition of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

The former Indomitable Lions defender and captain Rigobert Song and Nigeria Super Eagles former star Emmanuel Amunike assisted CAF Director of Competitions Samson Adamo in the drawing process, which included the 12 least ranked teams.

The six aggregate winners will join the 42 highest ranked teams into the Group Stage of the qualifiers.

Following are the fixtures, with the first legs, played at the home of the lower-ranked teams:

Check out the first round of the 2023 #TotalEnergiesAFCON qualifiers draw results below! 👇 pic.twitter.com/4QD8wLX4bq

— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 21, 2022

Fixtures listed

Eritrea v Botswana

Sao Tome and Principe v Mauritius

Djibouti v South Sudan

Seychelles v Lesotho

Somalia v Eswatini

Chad v Gambia

CAF – African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone in Douala, Cameroon.

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Steven Caulker urges Sierra Leone to regroup ahead of Afcon 2023

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by | 21 Jan, 2022 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News

The former England International, Steven Caulker, has been impressive after three caps to his name as one of the new icons for Sierra Leone.

The one-time England defender has enjoyed a remarkable start to life with the Leone Stars at the Africa Cup of Nations. He is one of the standout performers for the West African Nation and has been admired by many despite the disappointing 1-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea on Thursday at the Limbe Stadium.

Sierra Leone only needs a point, but veteran striker Kei Kamara with a glorious chance saw an 84th-minute penalty saved by Jesus Owono.

Midfielder Pablo Ganet helped Equatorial Guinea to reach the last 16 after he curled in from the edge of the area to net the only goal seven minutes before the break.

Speaking after the defeat, Caulker remained positive about the squad and talked about the potential in the Sierra Leone team ahead of the next Qualifiers. The former Liverpool defender noted that it’s time to regroup for upcoming competitions.

“If you look at the quality within our squad, some quite did not make the pitch, some were on stand after our three games, but there are so many talents in our squad. We will come again for sure we will regroup and come again,” Caulker told Journalists in the CAF mix zone tribune.

Caulker was pleased with the team’s attitude against Algeria and the Ivory Coast. When asked about the new draw for Afcon 2023, he said, “For us did not matter who we draw. We have shown that we can compete against the biggest nations. Right now, we have to regroup and come together as a team.” We are all disappointed, but we have to come back stronger.”

See what a fan and teammates said about Steven Caulker.

“Steven Caulker, looking like he is playing with his heart in the Green, White and Blue, Ishmael Bangura told FSL in Limbe.

“Steve is a big plus for us,” added experienced ex-Bolton Wanderers midfielder Mohamed “Medo” Kamara. “He’s adapted so well to being with the other lads, and he’s one of the senior players now.

“Caulks is an amazing guy,” 24-year-old Queens Park Rangers full-back Osman Kakay told ESPN. “I’ve played with him at QPR before, and playing with him now is a great experience. “I’m so happy he’s part of our national team.”

Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 in Douala, Cameroon Contact bi****@*********************ne.net