by FSL News | 17 Jan, 2017 | African News
Egyptian veteran goalkeeper Essam El Hadary wrote a new chapter in history when he became the oldest ever player to take part in the African Cup of Nations, but he was not to celebrate ads the Pharaohs were held to a goalless draw by a determined Mali side.
The second match of the Group D-day one doubleheader produced no winner as both sides shared the spoils.
Starting from the bench, it appeared El-Hadary would have to wait for another day to etch his name in the Africa Cup of Nations folklore, but after 23 minutes, he replaced injured Ahmed El Shenawy to become the oldest ever player to take part in AFCON at the age of 44 years and 2 days.
The game started on a quick note, and Egypt’s Marwan Mohsen had the first chance after four minutes. The Al Ahly forward reacted faster to a Mohamed Salah pass, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Mali almost responded when Lassana Coulibaly soared above the Egyptian defenders, but his header was saved El Shenawy. But the save turned out to be costly as the latter injured himself in the process and was forced to leave the field, making way for history maker El Hadary.
Mali was the better side for the rest of the first half, with Coulibaly and Moussa Marega being their most dangerous men. Egypt’s best chance fell to Mohamed El Neny, who saw his shot going just over the bar.
Egypt resumed stronger, and once again it was Mohsen who had the first chance eight minutes after the break. Winger Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan paced through his markers, and his cross found Mohsen’s header, but for Mali’s goalkeeper Oumar Sissoko who fully stretched to save the ball.
The game saw no more real chances for both sides, as Mali tried to clinch a late winner but without much success.
Ghana leads the pack of Group D with three points having defeated Uganda with a lone goal earlier. Egypt and Mali follow with one point each with Uganda at the bottom pointless.
Total Man of the Match
Moussa Marega (Mali)
Reactions:
Hector Cuper (Head Coach, Egypt)
It was a very difficult game. We tried to control the ball in the first half but we suffered because of the Malians physical players. We were better in the second half but at the end, my players were very tired because the weather was very humid. It was my wish to win the game. We always try to win all our games. The next two matches will be more difficult, but we will do our best to win both.
I still don’t know how serious Ahmed El Shenawy’s injury is. I believe it’s getting complicated because our third goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy is also injured. But we will see tomorrow and assess the situation.
Alain Giresse (Head Coach, Mali)
We hoped to do better and win the match, but we couldn’t. I believe we will be better in the next match. Egypt is a big team and not an easy team to play against, but we did our best and I’m satisfied. We know it is a difficult group and we will do our best against our next opponents. This is our first match and we played to win. When you don’t win you must not lose either.
(CAF) @football_sierra
by FSL News | 17 Jan, 2017 | African News
The Black Stars of Ghana got a strong 3-point boost to their African Cup of Nations title ambitions after triumphing 1-0 over their Ugandan counterparts in their Group D match at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Deputy Captain and West Ham striker Andre Ayew in photo put the Ghanaians ahead in the 36th minute converting a resultant penalty kick after skipper Asamoah Gyan was brought down in Uganda’s penalty box.
The Cranes put up a fight in the second half making tactical changes to the squad but could not pip the Black Stars to the 3 points who also made midfield reinforcement by introducing long-serving Udinese midfield dynamo Agyemang Badu and the bullish Afriyie to ensure that the maximum points got in the bag.
Meanwhile, Schalke defender Baba Rahman went off injured in the first half.
He came off after just 39 minutes and was replaced by Frank Acheampong. The extent of the injury was not yet known.
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 16 Jan, 2017 | African News
Defending champions Ivory Coast, who handed Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha his competitive debut in their opening Group C match at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon against Togo, played to a goalless draw.
Aston Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia was close in the 10th minute forcing the Togolese keeper into a smart save while Mathieu Dossevi and Kodjo Laba spurned good chances for the Sparrow Hawks.
Wilfried Zaha, making his competitive debut for Ivory Coast after switching international allegiance from England was substituted and replaced by Wilfried Bony.
Emmanuel Adebayor was not able to inspire Togo; despite his sides enjoyed some good possession in the early exchanges during the first half.
Four of the five games at the tournament have now been drawn
Ivory Coast 0
Togo 0
Ivory Coast: Gbohouo; Aurier, Bailly, Kanon, A.Traore; Serey Die, Seri (Doukoure 65′), Kessie; Zaha (Bony 70′), Kodjia (Gradel 83′), Kalou.
Togo: Agassa; Gakpe, Romao, Ouro-Akoriko, Djene; Dossevi (Agbegniadan 87′), F.Ayite, Atakora, Bebou; Laba (Akakpo 82′), Adebayor (Boukari 89′).
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 15 Jan, 2017 | African News
Riyad Mahrez scored twice as Algeria left it late to earn a 2-2 draw with Zimbabwe at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, on Sunday.
The Leicester winger had put his side ahead with a curling shot off the post. But Kudakwashe Mahachi’s low shot into the corner and a Nyasha Mushekwi penalty kick made it 2-1 to Zimbabwe – a lead they held until the 82nd minute.
Algeria hit the bar twice before Mahrez levelled with a speculative 25-yard shot that Zimbabwe goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva should have saved.
While Mukuruva may feel embarrassed at his error, Algeria just about managed to save their own blushes as they rescued a point from their Group B opener.
It was a match they were very much expected to win. Zimbabwe, making their first appearance at the finals since 2006, will perhaps count themselves a little unlucky after playing some excellent football.
Khama Billiat was superb for Zimbabwe, only denied a spectacular 30-yard goal by an outstanding fingertip save from Algeria goalkeeper Rais Mbholi, who diverted the ball on to the post.
Mbholi thwarted Billiat on more than that one occasion and also produced a brilliant save with his leg to keep out Cuthbert Malajila’s shot when the score was 2-1 to Zimbabwe.
But Algeria improved considerably after the interval and forced Zimbabwe back.
They hit the woodwork twice, through a Ramy Bensebaini header and when Zimbabwe defender Elisha Muroiwa narrowly avoided an own goal when he sliced a clearance.
Mahrez, winner of two Footballer of the Year awards just a few weeks back, proved their saviour, even if it will not go down as the cleanest strike he has ever hit.
And the Desert Foxes had chances to win the match, particularly when Mukuruva came flying out and left his goal wide open, but Yacine Brahimi could not take advantage.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Warriors will however take heart from their performance.
They lost a key player in Knowledge Musona through injury after only 12 minutes and recovered from 1-0 down to cause Algeria a mighty scare.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ star man Billiat was on top form and will cause any defence problems.
Mahrez who won the BBC and Confederation of African Football awards has got off to a terrific start, but some of Algeria’s other big names were not up to speed.
Islam Slimani missed a great chance to score when he headed weakly and Brahimi can certainly produce more.
But the Desert Foxes showed resilience, a necessary quality in tournament football.
@football_sierra (NAN)
by FSL News | 15 Jan, 2017 | African News
Liverpool’s Sadio Mané (Pictured in action) converted a 10th-minute penalty to send Senegal on their way to a 2-0 victory over Tunisia and top of Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.
Mané scored from the spot after Aymen Abdennour had brought down Cheikhou Kouyaté in the penalty area, giving Senegalthe lead against the run of play.
Centre-half Kara Mbodji added the second on the half-hour, heading in from a corner as Senegal became the first team to register a win at the tournament after the first three matches all ended in draws.
However, the victory was far from convincing as Tunisia missed several chances, notably in a dominant second-half performance.
@football_sierra
by FSL News | 14 Jan, 2017 | African News
Desportivo Mafra defender Juary Soares equalizer for the debutants in the 90th minute as Guinea-Bissau held host Gabon to a 1-1 draw in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations opener at the Stade de l’Amitié in Libreville on Saturday evening.
The Panthers took the lead in 52 minutes when superstar Borussia Dortmund goal poacher Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turned in Denis Bouanga’s cross-shot.
However, the heavily built centre-back, Juary Soares who was born in Guinea-Bissau, but raised in Portugal rising highest from a set-piece to shocked the home crowd.
The goal sparked wild celebrations and was the least Guinea-Bissau deserved from a Group A fixture that only sparked into life after half-time.
The Gabon captain went close to doubling the hosts lead in the 69th minute, but he was unable to direct his volley attempt from a Mario Lemina cross on target.
Gabon coach Jose Antonio Camacho: “It’s very difficult to win the first match in these tournaments. For the next match, we have to fight tooth and nail.”
Guinea-Bissau coach Baciro Cande: “We are very, very happy. Now we have the motivation to go as far as possible.”
In the other late group game, Burkina Faso fought back to secure a 1-1 draw with Cameroon on the opening day of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
Gabon (0) 1 (Aubameyang 52′)
Guinea-Bissau (0) 1 (Juary Soares 90+1′)
Gabon: Ovono; Palun, E.Manga, Appindangoye, Obiang – Tandjingora (Poko 84′), Lemina (Kanga 73′), Ndong – Evouna (Aboué 88′), Aubameyang, Bouanga
Guinea-Bissau: Jonas; Dabo, Juary, Rudinilson, Soares – Zezinho, Santos (Aldair 75′), Nanissio, Brito – Camara (F.Mendy 66′), Mario (Piqueti 62′)
@football_sierra
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