Cameroon Confed Cup tie against Australia a must-win

Cameroon Confed Cup tie against Australia a must-win

Cameroon head coach Hugo Broos has emphasised that only a victory against Australia in their 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup Group B match in Saint Petersburg, Russia on Thursday will keep them in the tournament.

The must-win tie kick-off 17h00 at the Stadion Krestovskyien between Cameroon and Australia.

Broos stressed: “If we don’t have a victory against Australia it’s finished for us. We know what to do but it’ll be a tough game.”

The African champions were defeated 2-0 by Chile in their first Group B match on Sunday, while Australia lost 3-2 to Germany on Monday. Belgian tactician Broos is now eyeing a win over Australia.

“I hope we start the game better than we did against Chile,” Broos told the media at a press conference according to BBC.

“The first 20 minutes were almost disastrous and if we didn’t have a bit of luck on our side, we could have been 3-0 down.

“I hope against Australia that from the first second of the game we will seek to dominate,” he said.

“I’ve seen a few games of Australia and there is a lot of enthusiasm in the team, a fighting spirit, so it’s a very difficult team to play against.

“But again we’ll need to be on our highest level if we are to beat them, and we have to beat them to keep up our chances to go further than the first round. It’s a different style than three days ago when we played Chile,” he added.

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Confed Cup defeat in Moscow: Cameroon 0-2 Chile

Confed Cup defeat in Moscow: Cameroon 0-2 Chile

Russia 2017: Goals from Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas ensure Chile beat Cameroon 2-0 in their Group B 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup opener at the Otkrytiye Arena in the Russian capital of Moscow on Sunday evening.

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez came off the bench to cross for Vidal’s 81st-minute header, with Vargas finishing in injury-time after Sanchez rounded the keeper but failed to beat a defender on the line.

Had Sanchez found the net, he would have become Chile’s all-time leading goalscorer. He currently has 37 goals, level with former Lazio and Juventus striker Marcelo Salas, who retired in 2008.

Just before the break in Moscow, Vargas had a strike correctly ruled out for a very marginal offside following the use of video technology. His goal in the 91st minute was also referred to the video assistant referees – presumably to check on another possible offside – but it stood.

Cameroon could also have argued they should have had a referral in the first half when Vincent Aboubakar was harshly adjudged to have pulled back Vidal as Michael Ngadjui headed in a free-kick.

The other two teams in Group B – Australia and world champions Germany – play on Monday (16:00 BST).

Cameroon: Ondoa; Mabouka, Teikeu, Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Fai; Anguissa (Mandjeck 89′), Siani (Ngamaleu 86′), Djoum; Moukandjo, Aboubakar, Bassogog

Chile: Herrera; Isla, Jara, Medel, Beausejour; Fuenzalida (Valencia 64′), Vidal, Diaz, Aránguiz (Silva 71′); Vargas, Puch (Sanchez 58′)

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Francis Amin Michael Paul elected new South Sudan FA boss

Francis Amin Michael Paul elected new South Sudan FA boss

Francis Amin Michael Paul has been elected as the new president of the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA).

Amin, a well-known businessman beat former international referee Lual Maluk Lual in the polls which were overseen by delegates from Fifa and the Confederation of African Football.

He won 22 votes out of 34. SSFA election ends a period of uncertainty as he replaces Chabur Goc Alei, who was suspended by the SSFA’s general assembly last year.

“Let’s forget our differences but be united by the beautiful game of football,” Amin said.

“I welcome all my opponents to come and join hands so that we develop football in our beloved country South Sudan.”

Alei was forced out of office amid allegations of mismanagement.

Venasio Deng Amun will be Amin’s deputy after he beat Sestilio Juba Leriba in the polls for vice-president.

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Kenya to protest Sierra Leone officiating

Kenya to protest Sierra Leone officiating

The President of Football Kenya Federation, Nick Mwendwa, has disclosed to Soka25east that his administration will officially write a letter to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over what he described as “biased” officiating against Harambee Stars.

“It was horrendous, to say the least. The ref was aggressive towards our players and in many instances, gave away free kicks to our opponents unjustly,” FKF boss told Soka25east adding that his boys were equally very upset.

“The boys went out there and gave their all in very unfair conditions. I feel it’s in bad taste that people are saying that should have won anyway. I feel I have to protect them,” the President said.

The Leone Stars got off to a winning start defeating the Harambee Stars of Kenya 2-1 in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group F first leg qualifying tie in Freetown last Saturday. The victory was coach John Keister’s his first win in charge of the National team.

Goals from Julius Wobay and Umaru Bangura in the 22nd and 69th minutes respectively were enough to down their visitors. Kenya’s Michael Olunga scored their only goal in the 76th minutes despite playing with a man down.

However, although it will be insignificant as CAF will not be overturning the result or punishing the match officials, the FKF boss believes the letter will act as an eye opener for other matches across Africa.

“We want Africa to know that we were not pleased with the level of officiating in the match, and for future reference, we believe that filing a formal protest is well in order.”

Nigerian officials led by centre referee Ferdinand Aniette, first assistant referee Tejiri, second assistant referee Abdulmajeed Olaide and reserve referee Ekabatiem Ekabatiem were in charge of the group F tie in Freetwon.

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Drogba dedicates goal to former teammate Cheick Tiote on Phoenix Rising debut

Drogba dedicates goal to former teammate Cheick Tiote on Phoenix Rising debut

The former Chelsea star also claimed an assist in his side’s 2-1 win over Whitecaps FC 2

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba scored a trademark header to mark a brilliant Phoenix Rising debut on Saturday, before dedicating the 2-1 win over Whitecaps FC 2 to Cheick Tiote.

The Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend opened the scoring late in the first half, before laying on an assist for Shaun Wright-Phillips to grab the winner.

Drogba’s former international teammate Tiote tragically passed away on Monday after collapsing during training in China.

The striker took to Instagram to post a tribute to the ex-Newcastle midfielder following his side’s win.

“I want to dedicate this win to Cheick Tiote who passed away a few days ago while doing what he loved, playing football,” he wrote.

“My thoughts and condolences go to his family.”

Drogba joined the USL side in April as a player and co-owner of the club after leaving Montreal Impact in November 2016.

He enjoyed two spells at Chelsea, where he won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and secured that memorable Champions League triumph.

He is also Ivory Coast’s record goalscorer, netting 65 times in 104 appearances for the national side.

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Ghana thrash Ethiopia to go top of Sierra Leone in Group F

Ghana thrash Ethiopia to go top of Sierra Leone in Group F

The Black Stars of Ghana on Sunday displayed once again why they are one of the powerhouses in African football as they thrashed Ethiopia 5-0 to go top of the Group F in their first qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The Stars who were a semifinalist in the 2017 AFCON in Gabon smashed the Walia ibex at the BabaYara Stadium in Kumasi to put themselves ahead of Sierra Leone, with goals from Asamoah Gyan, John Boye, Ebenzeer Ofori and Raphael Dwamena brace adding to the visitors’ misery.

Captain Asamoah Gyan began the rout in the 10 minutes with his 50th goal for his country.

The momentum was with home team Jonh Boye double their lead 2-0. His effort beat Ethiopia goalkeeper Abel Mamo hands down.

Ebenezer Ofori scored with a screamer – making it 3-0 to Ghana before the break.

After the break, a Raphael Dwamena brace made it 5-0 to the hosts who are looking for their first Nations Cup title since 1982.

In Freetown on Saturday, goals from Julius Woobay and Umaru Bangura penalty helped Sierra Leone make a winning start to their Group F campaign as they beat the Harambee Stars of Kenya 2-1.

Ghana (3) 5 (Gyan 10′, Boye 15′, E.Ofori 40′, Dwamena 48′, 60′)

Ethiopia (0) 0

Ghana XI: Ofori, Afful, Lumor, Boye, Amartey, Ofori, Agyepong, Partey (Acquah 73′), A. Ayew (J.Ayew 79′), Gyan (Waris 65′), Dwamena.

Ethiopia XI: A.Mamo (Tassew 64′), A. Tesfaye; Kasim, S. Tesfaye (Mohammed 78′), Tamene, Mesfen (Said 46′), Bekele, Panom, Giday, Oukri, Getaneh.

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